Category Archives: 1 Corinthians

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.

Receive and give

Holger Schué

Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22

From the Risen Lord’s own breath, we receive the Holy Spirit: our breath mingling with God’s in an eternal communion of give and receive, receive and give.

Today I will receive the gifts and talents I have been given with gratitude and use one of them to benefit someone in need.

Power and wisdom

[We proclaim] Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1: 24b-25

The power and wisdom of God is Love.

Today I will intentionally live in and from God’s heart of unconditional love. I will be kind, encouraging, compassionate, and peaceful and bless everyone near and far, known and unknown.

Have faith

First Sunday of Advent

God is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9a

Have faith in goodness.

Have faith in love.

Have faith in mercy.

Have faith in compassion.

Have faith in God’s vision of peace and unity for our world. Watch for it. Participate in it. The vision will not fail. God is faithful.

Filled with the Holy Spirit

Ed de Guzman
Pentecost
gouache on special paper, 2014

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6

We work together in harmony to bring about God’s vision of love and peace for humankind. We are not in competition. We are each a part of the body of Christ, given the Holy Spirit in order to serve God’s human family.

Today I will reflect on the spiritual gifts I have been given. I will ask the Holy Spirit to show me how best to use these gifts to bring peace, harmony, and love to the world.

Look into the depths

Mount of the Beatitudes

For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinithians 2:10b

God’s Holy Spirit leads me to scrutinize my words, actions, behaviors, and attitudes to discern where I have loved and where I have neglected to love.

Today I will spend quiet time alone and ask the Spirit to open my mind and heart to receive God’s love, to help me choose justice, generosity, forgiveness, and compassion in my interactions—and to be accountable for how I treat myself and others.

Lord, help me trust and practice your law of love today.