Category Archives: Jesus

Welcome home

James. B. Janknegt 2 Sons Oil on canvas

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

Today’s cross

Ruizanglada (1929-2001) Agnus Dei - Serie Negra, 1995 Expuesto en la 1ª Feria de Arte Contemporáneo de San Sebastián Donostiartean 7-11 agosto 2014.

Ruizanglada (1929-2001)
Agnus Dei – Serie Negra, 1995
Expuesto en la 1ª Feria de Arte Contemporáneo de San Sebastián Donostiartean 7-11 agosto 2014.

Today’s cross is heavy and I am struggling to carry it. Sometimes I wish someone else would take on the burden, but I know I am responsible and accountable for how I respond to life with its challenges, adventures,  mishaps—and pleasures and blessings.

There are kind and compassionate people who are willing to walk with me as I limp along with my cross. Their love, good humor, patience, and companionship give me the encouragement I need to keep going.

And when there are no people to walk with, I know the Lord is there: behind, before, and beside me.

[Jesus addressed the crowds,] “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

Humble of heart

Leopold Müller [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

MORNING PRAYER
Leopold Müller [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

To humble myself is to let go of my need to be right and have all the answers. It is to be teachable. It is to see myself as I really am in relationship to God: a small, imperfect, wounded human person in need of love, guidance, and mercy.

[Jesus said,] “For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

Widen the gate

TianChang_GateIn every corner of the world, people love and serve God and their neighbor each day. I don’t know all of them—how could I? only God does. But I do know their faith, humility, compassion, generosity, and respect for all human life widens the narrow gate and makes it easier for me to follow where they lead.

[Jesus answered them,] “And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.” Luke 13:29

Be a little fire

Luke 12:49-53

Luke 12:49-53

Love God, self, and neighbor.
Respect all people.
Give abundantly to those in need.
Forgive with an open heart.
Walk the path of nonviolence.
Seek opportunities to serve.
Bring healing with my words, attitudes, and actions.
Be a little fire to light and warm the Way of Jesus.

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” Luke 12:49

Found treasure

Emblems, divine and moral : The school of the heart; and Hieroglyphics of the life of man, 1866 By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

Emblems, divine and moral : The school of the heart; and Hieroglyphics of the life of man, 1866
By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

Our treasure is rooted in God’s love when we take care of our families, welcome newcomers to our communities, help those in need, give generously to the poor, and respect each person we encounter.

Our treasure is scattered when we become self-engrossed, careless of the needs of others, and hostile towards those whose opinions and lifestyles are different from ours.

Our treasure is found right where we are, moment-to-moment.

Today I will practice choosing love over self-centeredness.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Luke 12:32-34

Let go of greed

Teachings_of_Jesus_26_of_40._parable_of_the_rich_man._Jan_Luyken_etching._Bowyer_BibleI struggle with my obsession to have on hand an over-abundance of cat food to tempt finicky feline appetites, extra rolls of paper towels and unopened boxes of tissues, and a stash of chocolate in case my cookie supply runs out.

Holding on to material goods is a form of greed. It reflects a deeper issue: a lack of faith that my needs—physical and spiritual—are in God’s capable charge.

Today I will remember to turn to the Source of Life when I worry about not having enough. And I will open my hands and heart to find someone with whom I can share my plenty.

Then [Jesus] told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’” Luke 12:16-17

The door to holiness

17Ask to know God’s will. Seek to imitate Jesus. Be insistent on embodying compassion, forgiveness, generosity, reconciliation, nonviolence, and love.

You will receive God’s guidance. You will find the path to freedom. The door to holiness will be opened to you.

[Jesus said to them,] “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9

A serving of attention

Johannes Vermeer, 1632-1675 Christ in the House of Martha and Mary oil on canvas, between ca.1654 and ca.1656 Scottish National Gallery

Johannes Vermeer, 1632-1675
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary
oil on canvas, between ca.1654 and ca.1656
Scottish National Gallery

Today I will welcome the Lord. I will offer him the hospitality of my heart and sit at his feet to listen to and learn from him. I will serve him with my attention.

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Luke 10:38-39

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