This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. Psalm 118:24
When the stone of resistance is removed from my heart, I will be emptied of sadness, betrayal, despair, pain, resentment, and fear. I will feel the hush and hope of the Resurrection.
Lord Jesus, you have been through everything I am going through. I trust you are helping and guiding me in every moment. Lead me in the light of your love that I too may offer others the gift of hope and gladness.
Jesus answered them, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” John 12:26
To serve the Lord, I must empty myself of anything and everything that prevents me from following him on the Way of love, forgiveness, mercy, and kindness.
Lord, create in me a pure heart that I may let go of ego and serve you and my neighbors without fear.
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;
it is not from works, so no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
There are no rewards, only gifts. Everything we receive from God is a gift of grace.
Today I will intentionally turn toward the light of God’s rich love and mercy for guidance in the choices I make, the words I speak, and the works I do.
[We proclaim] Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1: 24b-25
The power and wisdom of God is Love.
Today I will intentionally live in and from God’s heart of unconditional love. I will be kind, encouraging, compassionate, and peaceful and bless everyone near and far, known and unknown.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” John 1:38
When I call myself a follower of Jesus, I am looking to be more like him in kindness, patience, nonviolence, forgiveness, compassion. I am looking to be more like him in following God’s will even when it doesn’t seem to make sense, being aware of the needs of others, helping the ill, the lonely, the discouraged.
Today I will take time in quiet prayer to consider what I am looking for as I follow Jesus. I will ask for the grace to be more like him in my interactions with others.
Moses said, “Do not forget the LORD, your God.” Deuteronomy 8:14b
We are always in the presence of God. We commit ourselves to remember the Lord no matter what is happening in our life, our family, or our world, to thank him for his gifts, and to call on him for all our needs.
Today I will start and end my day with an Our Father for peace and unity in our world. I will say grace before each meal and remember I am one part of the Body of Christ.
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Jesus said, “I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” John 14:20
In Christ we are intimately entwined with God. There is no separation.
Today I will take joy in the gift of the Spirit of truth that helps me remember we are in Christ and Christ is in us. I will intentionally treat all people with deep reverence.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6
Jesus is the way of love, kindness, compassion, justice, patience, nonviolence, forgiveness, reconciliation, healing. To have life means I am in this truth.
Today I will intentionally follow the way of Jesus in all my interactions.
Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19
It can be hard to believe that the peace of God is ours, a gift freely bestowed on us. All we have to do is receive it – the peace of kindness, the peace of compassion, the peace of generosity, the peace of deep listening, the peace of forgiveness, the peace of reconciliation, the peace of hope.
Today I surrender to the grace of God’s will that I receive the Lord’s peace in my heart and life. I open my heart and hands to let that peace bless everyone and every situation.
Thus says the Lord God: I will put my spirit in you that you may live. Ezekiel 37:14
We live with the spirit of God’s open-handed, unconditional love in us to guide us with every decision, every word, every impulse to kindness, generosity, and compassion.
Lord, untie me from the bonds of self-centeredness and self-pity. Let your spirit speak and act through me today that I may be free to be fully alive.
Mary Ann McSweeny 