Category Archives: 1 Corinthians

Look into the depths

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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.

Follow Love

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James Tissot (1836-1902)
Calling of Saint James and Saint John

Jesus called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:21c-22

Constant reports of war, greed, illness, depression, aggression, finger-pointing, and lack of personal accountability are causes of gloom and distress in our daily lives.

But the Lord calls us to leave our preoccupation with all that is in disrepair in the world and instead follow him to show by our life example that reconciliation, respect, courtesy, and compassionate service have the power to mend all divisions.

Today I will remember God has graced me with a spirit of love. I will follow the Lord on the way of love to bring the light of kindness, encouragement, and hope to all people I encounter.

Transformed by God’s grace and peace

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Zelenka, Dave. Baptism of Christ, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56385 [retrieved January 14, 2023]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baptism-of-Christ.jpg.

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

Each day is an opportunity to consciously place ourselves in the presence of God and ask to be touched by God’s grace and filled with God’s peace.

And as we receive these gifts, we are called to be servants of God’s will and give them away so that the light of reconciliation and love may reach to the ends of the earth.

God is my strength. Today I will let God’s grace and peace transform my thoughts, words, and the ways in which I interact with the people I encounter.

Spirit of Love

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Steffen Papenbroock
“Heart of Fire”

Jesus said, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” John 14:26

With each breath, we are one with God’s Holy Spirit.

With each breath, we hear the Holy Spirit teach us everything about kindness, respect, compassion, gentleness, justice, and generosity.

With each breath, we listen to the Holy Spirit’s reminder that Jesus has told us to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves, and to forgive those who have hurt us.

Lord, love comes in many forms of service. May I be guided today by your Holy Spirit as I use my gifts and talents to bless our fragile world with love and goodness.

A more excellent way

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Love is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests. 1 Corinthians 13:5

May I offer my opinions and suggestions, my experience and insights with love, in love, and through love. May I be ready to listen to others with unconditional love and deep respect.

Today I will choose my words, behaviors, and attitudes to reflect love.

We belong

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

God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you, “ nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” 1 Corinthians 12:18-21

In many areas of our world and society, human life is considered cheap – to be destroyed by war, trafficking, slavery, experimental science, and many other forms of self-interest, selfishness, and greed.

We must never forget God made each precious person in the image of God’s own image of love and goodness. We must always remember to treat ourselves and every person with generosity and dignity, and with the respect and compassion that is our birthright.

We all belong to God. Today I will make sure I welcome and honor everyone I encounter.

The Spirit of love and goodness

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Jan Cossiers (1600-1671)
The Wedding at Cana
Oil on canvas, between 1641 and 1660
Sint-Waldetrudiskerk

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

The same Spirit of love and goodness dwells in each precious human person. We are each led by God’s Spirit to bless our families and communities with that love and goodness in our own unique way.

Today I will ask God’s Spirit for deep awareness of the love and goodness in my heart and to show me how to bless everyone I encounter with that love and goodness.

The wisdom to trust

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Benvenuto Tisi (1481-1559)
Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple
between circa 1540 and circa 1550
National Galleries of Scotland

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:25

Today I am feeling small and fragile. I will ask God for the wisdom to lean on the Lord’s gentle strength and trust that everything I need today will be provided.

Moving closer

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Jesus calls Peter and Andrew

Then [Simon and his brother Andrew] abandoned their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:18

Today’s readings are full of movement: Jonah begins a three-day journey; the people of Nineveh put on sackcloth as a sign of repentance; in Psalm 25 we exhort God to guide us in God’s truth; Paul reminds us the world as we know it is passing away; Jesus invites Simon and Andew, James and John to come after him and the fishermen follow him.

What do my daily actions show? Am I moving closer to the goodness and love in my heart? Am I following Jesus’ way of compassion and peace? Am I inviting others to walk with me as I discover how to love and forgive?

Today I will begin a journey of kindness and respect towards all people.

Honor and respect

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Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you? 1 Corinthians 6:19

May I remember that, whatever our differences may be, we each house God’s Spirit of goodness and love.

May I honor the temple of the Holy Spirit— mine or others’—with respect, kindness, peace, forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and compassion.