![Piedad serie negra By RuizAnglada (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ruizanglada_-_Piedad_serie_negra_195x150_1984_A-L_-_Catalogo_1995_Palacio_de_Sastago_Zaragoza.jpg)
Piedad serie negra 195×150 1984 A-L
By RuizAnglada (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Luke 2:19
A New Year
Category Archives: art
Reverence
Balzhausen, Leonhardskapelle, Krippe
Photo: Andreas Praefcke
May I follow the example of the shepherds. May I hasten to seek God’s Word. May I pay reverence to the most vulnerable of our human family.
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16
King of humility
Rembrandt (1606-1669)
The Three Crosses
drypoint and burin on paper, 1653
Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum
Take responsibility, be accountable, remember the Lord, love your neighbor. All is forgiven.
The other [criminal], however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:40-43
Do not be afraid
Ivan Guaderrama (b.1984)
Love One Another III
Do not let yourself be manipulated into forgetting the One who is in charge. Love one another. Forgive your enemies. Feed the hungry. Help the poor. Be merciful as your Father in Heaven is merciful.
Be not afraid. The vision still has its time.
[Jesus answered,] “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified.” Luke 21:9a
Have mercy
Dirck van Delen, 1604/5-1671
Church Interior with the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:9-14)
Oil on Panel, 1653
Clark Art Institute
Humility allows me to see the truth of my talents, blessings, and strengths as well as my failings, shortcomings, and weaknesses. I will never be perfect, but the all of me—without pretense or justification, shame or pride—is my gift to God. I know God always welcomes me and my humble gift with love, forgiveness, and compassion.
“‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’” Luke 18:13b
God’s in charge
John Everett Millais (1829-1896)
Illustration of the Parable of the Unjust Judge from the New Testament Gospel of Luke (Luke 18:1-9) for The Parables of Our Lord (1863)
Do I have faith that God is in charge? That God has a vision of peace and love for the whole world? Do I have faith that when I practice kindness, forgiveness, respect, compassion, and nonviolence I am contributing to God’s vision?
If my faith is wavering, I need to be persistent in prayer, confiding my worries and fears and weaknesses to God and listening for God’s response.
[Jesus said,] “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:8b
Healing thanks
Codex Aureus Epternacensis
Cleansing of the ten lepers, ca.1035-1040
I am not always quick to realize a bit of healing has happened to me. It might be a lessening of anxiety, or a comforting word from a friend, or a few moments when I am quiet and not pushing to do something, or a letting go of comparing my way of life to that of others.
Today I will reflect on healing I have experienced and take some time to thank the Lord.
And one of [the ten lepers], realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. Luke 17:15-16a
Like the rich man?
Gustave Doré (1832-1883)
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, from the Gospel of Luke
Print, 1891
How am I different from the rich man? Do I notice the people around me? Am I attuned to others’ suffering? Do I make an effort to assuage the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual distress of those in need? Am I tormented by my lack of compassion and indifference towards refugees, drug addicts, alcoholics, the unemployed, and victims of human trafficking?
Today I will pay attention to the people I encounter and give help wherever—and as generously as—possible.
[Jesus said to the Pharisees:] “Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.'” Luke16:25
Very small matters
Притча о неверном управителе. 2012 г.
Холст, масло. 80×70.
Художник А.Н. Миронов
Parable of the Unjust Steward. 2012.
Canvas, oil. 80 x 70.
Artist A.N. Mironov
Today I am practicing trustworthiness in very small matters. I said my morning prayers, fed the cats, made the bed, ate breakfast, cleaned the cat boxes, and hung the laundry on the line. I washed the dishes, emptied the garbage, took a walk, wrote in my journal, and wrote a birthday note to my aunt, who turns eighty-seven this week.
These simple activities—along with others—will add up to be my day. They don’t seem to be worth very much, but this morning I asked God to show me what to do and how to do it. This seems to be what God is showing me: to take responsibility for this tiny corner of the world that is mine—and to do it with love.
“The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.”
Luke 16:10
Welcome home
James. B. Janknegt 2 Sons Oil on canvas
How good it feels when someone is is keeping an eye out for my arrival and is happy to see me. A warm welcome is one of the best gifts there is.
Sometimes I feel I have wandered far from the love and serenity God offers me. Anxiety, financial worries, and illness can contrive to make me self-centered instead of God-centered. When I become aware of the spiritual starvation my self-absorption has caused, I take comfort in knowing God, the Master of Compassion, has been looking out for me and is here to welcome me home.
“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.” Luke 15:20b
Mary Ann McSweeny 
