Category Archives: 1 Corinthians

Words of love

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Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568 – 1625)
The Sermon on the Mount
oil on copper, 1598
Getty Center

Jesus said to his disciples: “But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:24

Pope Leo’s Lenten 2026 message encourages us to listen more deeply to the Word of God and to fast from using hurtful words.

With dedicated mindfulness and a desire to do God’s will, I can learn to monitor my words. I can choose words that are life-giving and reflect wisdom, peace, kindness, reconciliation, hope for unity and mercy—and shine the light of love and goodness in our troubled world.

Today I will ask the Spirit to help me scrutinize how I communicate with myself and others. I will commit to a new habit of fasting from using written or spoken words that discount, disparage, discourage, or denigrate anyone.

Healed by the light

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John August Swanson (1938-2021)
Festival of Lights
Serigraph, 2000
from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56546 [retrieved February 8, 2026]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, johnaugustswanson.com

Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed.
Isaiah 58:7-8

This week I have heard from a number of people about the anxiety they carry. These dark times of racist acts, violence, malicious speech, inhumane practices, greed, and injustice place a heavy burden on us.

Scripture tells us we have the power to lighten the burden and bring light to this dark time with simple acts of kindness: giving food to the hungry, offering protection to the oppressed and homeless, clothing all people with the dignity that is their birthright, and taking responsibility for ourselves and our families.

Today I will demonstrate the power of the Spirit within me by shining the light of respect, peace, humility, kindness, generosity, and mercy on the people I encounter and in the situations I find myself.

Blessed are we

Laura James
Sermon on the Mount, 2010
from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. Original source: Laura James, laurajamesart.com/collections/religious/

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:7-9

The Beatitudes give me guidance as I practice following the Way of Jesus Christ.
• I must learn to be humble, let go of thinking I have all the answers, and stop lying to myself and others.
• I must learn to move from denial through the stages of grief to accept the sorrows and injustices of life.
• I must learn to endure hardship with patience and without resentment.
• I must learn to desire wholeness, oneness with God and all of Creation.
• I must learn to be compassionate and to forgive those who have hurt me.
• I must learn to embody peace, to be a unifying presence in our divided world.
• I must be willing to do God’s will, to love and respect and seek justice for all people everywhere—even when it means insults and persecution, and perhaps even being killed as Jesus was.

Today I will make the Beatitudes my blueprint for living as a follower of Jesus Christ. In a spirit of humility, I will ask the Lord to cleanse and heal me of my mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds. I will pray for the courage to let go of any fear I have of being insulted, ridiculed, or persecuted for responding to the Lord’s command to love my neighbor as myself.

United in love

James Tissot (1836-1902)
The Calling of Saint Peter and Saint Andrew
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brookline Museum

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
1 Corinthians 1:10

The mind and heart and will of God is that we all be unified in and by love, mercy, and peace.

Today I will seek the light of unity rather than the darkness of division in all of my interactions. I will follow the invitation of Jesus to follow him on the path of love, even when others challenge me.

A light for all

Filament of solar material from Sun erupting into space, and that connected with Earth’s magnetic environment

Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3

Light.
Obedience.
Justice.
Grace.
Peace.
Humility.

This is Jesus, our Lord, our teacher, our mentor, our model.

Here I am, Lord. Holy Spirit, please guide my words, actions, and behaviors that I may fully and completely embody my baptismal promises. May I follow the example of Jesus and humbly do God’s will of love today.

Holy temples of God

Rembrandt (1606-1669) Jesus driving the money-changers from the Temple etching, state i/ii, 1635

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Each of us is a temple of God, a holy place, a holy being, made in the image of God’s love and goodness.

Whenever we are in the presence of any person, we need to remember we are in the presence of a child of God and are on holy ground. We need to treat everyone with reverence, respect, and kindness. We need to honor each person’s inner dignity because the Holy Spirit dwells in everyone.

Today I will ask Jesus to drive prejudice, disdain, greed, injustice, and indifference out of my mind and heart. I will ask him for the grace to build my life on a foundation of compassion, civility, generosity, peace, and humble service to those in need.

A little goes a long way

James Tissot (1836-1902)
La multiplicité des pains
between 1886 and 1894
opaque watercolor over graphite
on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, Jesus said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. Luke 9:16-17a

Made in the image of God’s love and goodness, we have each been blessed with the power to participate in fulfilling God’s vision of peace and compassion—creating a world where everyone’s needs are satisfied.

Paying attention to the people I meet, offering a listening ear, a word of encouragement, a friendly smile, a sincere “thank you,” or a helping hand show I am willing to share my gifts of kindness, compassion, hope, love, grateful heart, and practical knowledge and skills. Such simple actions go a long way to bring healing to our world.

Today I will practice awareness of the people around me and intentionally give a little of my energy to share my God-given goodness, love, and talents with all.

Labor of love

Tafereeltegel, de splinter en de balk, hoekmotief ossenkop
keramiek, aardewerk, glazuur
1750-1850
Museum Rotterdam 1544-12

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Each day I put my trust in God’s love and care for me and every person on Earth. Each day I renew my commitment to love God and my neighbor as myself. Each day I intentionally practice gratitude, choose peaceful words, listen attentively when others speak, offer encouragement to those who are discouraged, and reach out to those who are ill, sad, or lonely.

Today I will keep my focus on God and devote myself to the work of God: Love.

A Spirit for healing

James Tissot (1835-1902)
Jésus dans la synagogue déroule le livre
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper,
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. 1 Corinthians 12:24-26

We need each other. Every person counts. Every person has something to offer, something to teach, some way of being that is essential to the body that is our human family. We have each been given God’s Spirit for some good purpose.

Today I will ask the Spirit to show me how I can help heal the suffering and division in our human family—and to give me the power to carry out this Spirit-directed mission.

Grow in love

Father George Saget
Mural, 1963
Altar of Keur Moussa Abbey

His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5

As servers of the Lord, it is our privilege to help carry out his mission of love and healing.

Jesus tells us to love God—and our neighbor as ourselves. And so we must find ways to love each other. Love is kind and welcoming. Love is generous and forgiving. Love is open-handed and vulnerable. Love is helping each other through difficult times by listening, encouraging, and sharing what we have.

Today I will make good use of the gifts the Spirit has given me to do what Jesus has told me to do. I will participate in the miracle of love’s healing power.