Category Archives: John

Hope in the Way

Rembrandt (1606-1669) Christ Resurrected Oil on canvas, 1661 Munich, Alte Pinakothek

Rembrandt (1606-1669)
Christ Resurrected
Oil on canvas, 1661
Munich, Alte Pinakothek

Like Mary, I am going in search of Jesus. The path is sometimes dark with pain and sorrow, uncertainty and discouragement, suffering and anxiety. What I bring with me—hope, love, faith, compassion, kindness, respect, forgiveness, peace—is what I am searching for. I follow the way, even in darkness, to find the Way.

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. John 20:1

 

Alone with the Lord

James Tissot (1836-1902) La femme adultère seule avec Jésus, opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum

James Tissot (1836-1902)
La femme adultère seule avec Jésus
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

How vulnerable I will feel to stand alone with Jesus and face the truth of how I have hurt and betrayed others.

How amazed I will feel to know he does not condemn me for my wrongdoings. How I hope I will have the courage to accept responsibility for my actions.

How I pray for the humility to ask for God’s grace to change the way I treat my family, friends, colleagues, strangers, the poor, the elderly, the sick, the needy.

How unburdened I will feel to experience the mercy of the Lord. How I trust I will extend that mercy to others.

Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” John  8:11b

 

Listen to the truth

Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893) Jesus Washing Peter's Feet oil on canvas, 1852-1856 Tate

Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893)
Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet
oil on canvas, 1852-1856
Tate

In every moment, the voice of our king reminds us to love, forgive, reconcile, and help the poor, sick, and elderly, the widows, children, and foreigners.

The voice of our king calls us to remember who we are: members of one human family, each unique, each with gifts to share, each beloved of God.

The voice of our king tells us how to serve as he served: with humility, compassion, nonviolence, and love without end.

[Jesus answered,] “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37

Words of eternal life

John 6:67-68

Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6: 67-68

I’ve heard “love thy neighbor as thyself” and “forgive seventy times seven times” and “Peace be with you”—words of eternal life spoken by Jesus.

How can I turn away without betraying my birthright as a child of God made in the image and likeness of God’s love?

 

 

 

God’s gift

eAs I unwrap God’s gift of life today, may I remember to thank the One who gave it to me.

[Jesus said to the crowds:] “I have life because of the Father.” John 6:57b

Taught by God

James Tissot (1836-1902) La multiplicité des pains, between 1886 and 1894 opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper Brooklyn Museum

James Tissot (1836-1902)
La multiplicité des pains, between 1886 and 1894
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

The Word of God teaches me to be bread for those who are hungry for kindness,  encouragement, compassion, and love.

The Word of God teaches me to eat the bread of forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, and nonviolence.

The Word of God teaches me that the Lord is the bread that gives me the nourishment to love my neighbor as myself, welcome strangers, feed the hungry, and visit the sick.

[Jesus said:] “It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.” John 6:45a

God cares

James Tissot (1836-1902) Jésus enseigne le peuple près de la mer opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Jésus enseigne le peuple près de la mer
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Our need for signs from the Lord speaks of our very human desire to be reassured that God is near and paying attention to us—that God cares. It speaks of our need to be fed with the bread of hope, of compassion, of unconditional love. It speaks of our thirst for conscious contact with the Lord.

Does God care? A wise friend told me: “Of course. That’s why Jesus came here.”

So [the crowd] said to Jesus, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” John 6:30-31

More than enough

Loaves and Fishes mosaic in the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, Tabgha, Israel

Loaves and Fishes Mosaic in the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, Tabgha, Israel

May I remember to thank God for the food I eat, the clothes I wear, the home I have.

May I remember to share what I have with those who are in need.

May I remember that there is always enough—and more than enough—for everyone.

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. John 6:11

How many ways to love

Tissot, Le lavement des pieds

James Tissot, 1836-1902
Le lavement des pieds, between 1886 and 1894
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

Just for today I am going to think of one way to love one other person.

I may smile at a stranger.
I may invite someone to tea.
I may respond with patience to someone who is irritating me.
I may contact someone who is lonely.
I may thank someone for being there for me.

[Jesus said,] “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” John 15:12

Pruned

Cixi_Vines_with_fruit

Empress Dowager Cixi, 1838-1908
Vines with fruit
ink and water color on silk, first half of 19th c.
Warsaw, National Museum
via Wikimedia Commons

If my heart remains open to and my mind stays focused on Jesus’ teaching to love God, my neighbor, and myself, I can count on being pruned.

Pride, arrogance, selfishness, self-centeredness, shame, low self-esteem, self-pity: these are traits God will prune in order that the fruit I bear in the world ripens into compassion, kindness, acceptance, forgiveness, peace, faith, and love.

[Jesus said to his disciples:] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” John 15:1-2