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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Pentecost
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:4-5
Today I will use my gifts to bless the people in my family, community, country, and world with love and peace.
May I embody God’s compassion with every breath I take.
Saint John the Baptist
Panel (1490-1500)
Milano, Museo Poldi Pezzoli
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:3
This is my greeting to you today: grace and peace.
May you feel the presence of Love and Compassion
wherever you are.
First Sunday of Advent
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. Isaiah 2:4
Today I pray that I may turn my swords and spears of impatience, indifference, envy, rudeness, self-seeking, acrimony, and resentment into life-giving love: patience, kindness, acceptance, courtesy, generosity, peace-making, and forgiveness.
JESUS MAFA. Miraculous Catch, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
retrieved February 10, 2019
God has graced me with a unique personality and specific gifts and talents. Even when I do not see clearly how I am serving the Lord, I trust that my willingness to love God and my neighbor empowers me to use my gifts and talents to carry out God’s will for me each day .
But by the grace of God I am what I am,
and his grace to me has not been ineffective.
1 Corinthians 15:10
Mary Ann McSweeny 