Category Archives: Gospel

Focus on Compassion

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890_ Der barmherzige Samariter (nach Delacroix) Saint-Rémy, May 1890 oil on canvas Kröller-Müller Museum

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
Der barmherzige Samariter (nach Delacroix)
Saint-Rémy, May 1890
oil on canvas
Kröller-Müller Museum

The focus of the parable of the Good Samaritan is not on the robbers who beat the traveler and left him half-dead. It is not on the indifferent, fearful priest and Levite.

Jesus puts our attention on the Samaritan who, out of compassion for the injured traveler, stopped and helped, and went out of his way to do what he could to aid the recovery of the wounded person.

Today I will put my attention and energy on showing compassion to those in need. I will keep my focus on  manifesting the mercy of God with my thoughts, words, and actions. I will not make idols of the violence, indifference, and fear that plague our world.

[Jesus replied,] “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” [The scholar of the law] answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Luke 10:36-37

 

Empowered to love

Gustave Doré (1832-1883) The Fall of Satan Illustration for John Milton’s “Paradise Lost“ engraving, 1866

Gustave Doré (1832-1883)
The Fall of Satan
Illustration for John Milton’s “Paradise Lost“
engraving, 1866

God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to practice patience with those who aggravate me, visit someone who is lonely or ill, give food and clothing to those in need.

God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to say no to injustice, speak out against racism and prejudice,  practice simple living in a society where money and possessions have become more important than integrity, humility, and kindness.

God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to be a willing servant  of God’s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness as I go about my daily responsibilities.

Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.  Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:18-20

Coming home

James Tissot (1836-1902) Il allait par les villages en route pour Jérusalem opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Il allait par les villages en route pour Jérusalem
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Jesus enters into the lives of the people to teach us about the love of God, to touch us with healing compassion, to walk with us in our suffering.

Every encounter I have with Jesus is like coming home. For that time, I can rest. I let go of conflict, obsession, worry, and grief. From these moments of respite, I gather courage and strength and willingness to follow the example of the Compassion of God in my interactions with others.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Luke 9:57-58

Suffering is real

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) Christ Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law pen and wash, ca. 1650-1660 Paris, Fondation Custodia

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)
Christ Healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law
pen and wash, ca. 1650-1660
Paris, Fondation Custodia

Suffering is not an option. It’s a difficult, mysterious, devastating part of the human condition.

Jesus understands suffering. Turn to him when the pain—mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual—is too much for you. He will raise you with him.

[Jesus] said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and on the third day be raised.” Luke 9:22

Heart to heart

Luba_Lukova

Luba Lukova
Mary of Bethany

Sometimes there are no words to express the sorrow, the shame, the guilt, the enormity of the burden, the desire to be healed.

So the Lord works with me in the silence. I seek his presence. I offer him my failings, weaknesses, fears, shortcomings, pain. I show him my heart.

And he shows me his heart of infinite understanding, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and love—and I am made whole again.

Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:37-38

The miracle

"...looking upon Mount Tabor from the summit of the Hill of Moreh or Little Hermon. That village in the middle of the view is Nain, where, on one of his journeys, Jesus raised to life the only son of a widow." By OSU Special Collections & Archives : Commons [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

“…looking upon Mount Tabor from the summit of the Hill of Moreh or Little Hermon. That village in the middle of the view is Nain, where, on one of his journeys, Jesus raised to life the only son of a widow.”
By OSU Special Collections & Archives : Commons [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

Awareness of the Lord’s presence. Faith in the Lord’s care and concern for me and all of the human family. Trust in the relationship I am building with the Lord through prayer and meditation and study of Scripture. Compassion for all those who bear the burden of suffering.

This is the miracle the widow of Nain shares with me.

When the Lord saw [the mother], he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Luke 7:13-15

Blessed and satisfied

A print from the Phillip Medhurst Collection of Bible illustrations in the possession of Revd. Philip De Vere at St. George’s Court, Kidderminster, England. By Philip De Vere (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

A print from the Phillip Medhurst Collection of Bible illustrations in the possession of Revd. Philip De Vere
at St. George’s Court, Kidderminster, England.
By Philip De Vere (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0],
via Wikimedia Commons

Lord, when I want to withhold my possessions, money, energy, time, or creativity from those in need, help me to remember you bless and multiply every loving action I take. With you in charge, there is always enough to go around—and plenty left over.

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. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets. Luke 9:16-17

Holy Trinity

shamrockThree in One, One in Three,
I humbly ask to be
In your Community
of Love.

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” John 16:12-13a

One

Dibujo de Jesucristo, en acuarela. Parque de la Exposición. Lima, Perú.By Dtarazona (Own work) [GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Dibujo de Jesucristo, en acuarela. Parque de la Exposición. Lima, Perú.
By Dtarazona (Own work) [GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

One in our intention to love our neighbor as ourselves. One in our desire to do unto others as we would have others do unto us. One in our commitment to the way of love, nonviolence, forgiveness, respect, healing, reconciliation, and peace.

Today I will honor the One in each and every member of our human family.

[Jesus prayed, saying,] “And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one.” John 17:22-23a

A holy reminder

6º DOMINGO DE PASCUAI do my best to keep the word of Jesus: to love my neighbor, pray for my enemies, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the ill, welcome those I don’t know, forgive those who hurt me.

And when I forget, the Holy Spirit nudges me—a gentle tug at my heart, maybe, or it could be a spotlight shining on my selfishness. The Holy Spirit’s nudges show me the way to holy wholeness where I become a collaborator in the community of Love.

[Jesus said to his disciples:] “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