Category Archives: Isaiah

Darkness dispelled by love

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Léonard Gaultier, 1561-1641
Follow Me and I will Make You Fishers of Men
engraving, probably c. 1576/1580
Washington, National Gallery of Art

Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
Isaiah 8:23b—9:1

The light of hope is always with me in the person of Jesus, who calls me by name and asks me to follow his way of forgiveness, compassion, and peace.

Lord, you are healing for those who suffer from despair, grief, and injustice. Help me to bring your light of love with me today that I may be a comforting presence to those in need.

Blessed by the Light

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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
Isaiah 9:1

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7b

Grace and peace unending, eternal light of love, compassion, forgiveness, comfort.

Today I will make use of God’s gifts to me to dispel a little bit of the gloom that pervades our society and world.

Stay awake

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First Sunday of Advent

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.

Baptized into the community of love

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We are called by our baptism to remember each member of our human family is beloved of God.

It is our lifework to offer compassion to the suffering, forgiveness to those who have hurt us, and comfort to those who are grieving and burdened with the stresses that arise in life.

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

The work of today

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The Birth of St. John the Baptist
Spain, ca.1525
Gilded wood
Art Institute of Chicago

My daily work is to show up for life, treat all people with compassion, generosity, and respect, take care of today’s responsibilities, and help manifest God’s vision of peace, unity, and love in our fragile world.

Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. Isaiah 49:4

Healing comfort

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Faith in God’s love, compassion, and constant, kindly presence empowers me to comfort those who are frightened, ill, lost, homeless, hungry, at risk, angry,  depressed, or in mourning.

Comfort calms and renews hope. It is a gift that heals.

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

Worthy

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Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
11th c.
Byzantine gospel. Paris, National Library

God surrounds, fills, and blesses each human person with the same abundant love, compassion, and comfort. We don’t have to prove our worth to God. Whenever we show up for God, God is already there with a warm welcome.

Today I will make God’s boundless, unbiased love apparent by treating everyone I encounter with respect and kindness.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9