Category Archives: John

Follow Him

Rembrandt (1606-1669)
St. Peter and St John Healing the Paralytic
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Peter said [to the man crippled from birth], “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.” Luke 9:16-17a

We all have been blessed with the love of God to give each other. We follow the way of Jesus with our kindness, our attentiveness, our generosity, our care for the ill and dying, our compassion for those who are troubled, our patience with those who irritate us, our efforts to pray for and forgive those who have hurt us. When we do our best to love one another, we are carrying out the healing mission of Jesus.

Today I will follow the Lord by giving a bit of myself as an act of love to the people around me.

The wisdom of love

The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:5

God’s love and wisdom pours into us with each inhalation. With each exhalation, we turn our whole self over to the care of the community of love that is the Holy Trinity.

Today I will sit quietly and notice my breathing. I will practice awareness of God’s presence with each in-breath and surrender into the creativity, wisdom, and love of God with each out-breath.

Filled with the Spirit of Love

Steffen Papenbroock
“Heart of Fire”

Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:3-4a

The Holy Spirit is our moment-to-moment guide as we struggle to remain faithful to God’s command to love one another. The Holy Spirit opens our minds to discern our gifts and talents and how best to use them in service to each other. The Holy Spirit opens our hearts to face our darkest memories, let go of resentment and grudges, reconcile with those we have hurt, speak out against unjust systems and the inhumane treatment of any of God’s precious children, and show mercy to all of God’s people.

The Holy Spirit gives us the courage to trust God in everything.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to fill me with the peace and love of Christ.

All One

Alpha an Omega
Fënster iwwer dem Portal vun der Bech-Maacher Kierch
25 August 2018

Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us.” John 14: 20-21

Without beginning or end is the Oneness of God. We are in God and God is in us just as Jesus is in God and God in Jesus. Let us be One with each other, treating each other with respect and kindness—and the reverence due to God in all of us.

Today I will open my heart to the Oneness of God.

Blessed by the peace of Christ

Peace I Leave with You!
Tile from Peace Wall
Hamilton, New Zealand
20th Century Mural

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

The peace of Christ assures me God is in charge, that God loves me and sustains me in everything. I have no need to be anxious or afraid. I am safe in the heart of God.

Today I will fully and completely receive and accept the blessing of the peace of Christ. I will let the light of Christ’s peace shine upon, in, and through me wherever I am.

Made new in love

Nathan Harper Photograph, 2008

Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” John 13:34

When I wonder how to love, I look at the example of Jesus. Gracious. Merciful. Kind. Helping the poor, ill, dying, hungry, alienated, and lonely. Emptying himself of ego in order to be faithful to the will of God.

Today I will do my best to follow the example of Jesus in all of my daily activities. I will thank God for the grace to be made new as I embrace opportunities to love and accept all people as beloved of God.

Faithful to the voice of love

Gebhard Fugel (1863-1939)
The Multitude, 1933
Scheyern Abbey

Remain faithful to the grace of God.
Acts 13:43d

We are graced to hear in the voice of Jesus unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness, and peace for all people of every nation, race, culture, and tongue. May our hearts be open to become what we hear.

Today I will open my heart to hear the gentle voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd calling me to love my neighbor as myself.

An invitation

Koenig, Peter.
Breakfast on the Beach
from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
Original source: Peter Winfried (Canisius) Koenig, pwkoenig.co.uk/.

Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” John 21:12a

Jesus is so understanding of our needs. He knows we need rest after working hard. He knows we need food and comfort. He knows we need a good friend and companionship. He knows we need the reassurance of his presence in every moment and in all of our daily activities.

Today I will accept Jesus’ invitation to spend a little time with him.

Peace in our hearts

Rembrandt (1606-1669)
Christ Appearing to the Disciples
etching print, 1656
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19

Peace in our hearts. Peace in our minds. Peace in our homes. Peace in our families. Peace in our neighborhoods. Peace in our country. Peace in our world.

Today I will open my mind and heart to receive the peace of Christ. In all my encounters, I will intentionally choose words and actions that reflect Christ’s peace.

Rise from the dead

Frank Wesley (1923-2002)
Mary at the Tomb
from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN

For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead. John 20:9

We rarely understand God’s vision for us or for the world. Where we see disharmony, God is creating harmony. Where we see suffering, God is healing wounds. Where we see death, God is preparing a glorious resurrection.

Today I will thank Jesus for teaching me how to empty myself of ego and humbly do God’s will of love and service to others. I will sit quietly and contemplate what rising from the dead means to me.