Category Archives: Luke

Don’t forget me

Francesco Allegrini da Gubbio (1587–1663)
Christ Crucified with the Good Thief
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash.
Framing lines in red chalk,
and in pen and brown ink on mount, 1624–63
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 80.3.326

[The other criminal said,] “Jesus, remember me.” Luke 23:42

No one wants to be forgotten, overlooked, ignored. No one wants to be abandoned, rejected, dismissed. No one wants to be excluded, pushed aside, shamed. No one wants to be treated with indifference, malice, inhumanity.

Today I will give thanks that all people have been made in God’s image of love and goodness. I will remember to be aware of the people I encounter and remember everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. I will ask Jesus to help me remember to love my neighbor as myself.

Persevere with love

Pannai, Jaffna Jesus in Sun, 2019

[Jesus answered,] “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Luke 21:9

Persevere in the work of the Lord: love your neighbor, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, give shelter to the homeless, forgive those who hurt you, love your enemy. Let go of fear. Trust the Lord.

Today I will choose to place my mind, heart, and will into God’s care. I will make a commitment to do the work of compassion, reconciliation, and justice as Jesus has taught me.

Holy temples of God

Rembrandt (1606-1669) Jesus driving the money-changers from the Temple etching, state i/ii, 1635

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Each of us is a temple of God, a holy place, a holy being, made in the image of God’s love and goodness.

Whenever we are in the presence of any person, we need to remember we are in the presence of a child of God and are on holy ground. We need to treat everyone with reverence, respect, and kindness. We need to honor each person’s inner dignity because the Holy Spirit dwells in everyone.

Today I will ask Jesus to drive prejudice, disdain, greed, injustice, and indifference out of my mind and heart. I will ask him for the grace to build my life on a foundation of compassion, civility, generosity, peace, and humble service to those in need.

Jesus welcomes us all

Frank Wesley (1923-2002)
Jesus in Benares

[Jesus said to the crowds:] “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” John 6:37

We hope in Jesus and invite all people to walk with us in his way of mercy, love, nonviolence, justice, kindness, and healing. We walk with Jesus and have the courage to face adversity and hardship. We trust Jesus to guide us and we live in peace.

Today I will go to Jesus and know he will welcome me. I will trust him to sustain me in everything.

The Lord hears us

James Tissot (1836–1902).
The Pharisee and the Publican (Le pharisien et le publicain), 1886–1894.
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper. Brooklyn Museum.
(Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.
Sirach 35:21-22a

Holy scripture assures us God hears the cries of the oppressed, the poor, the downtrodden, the marginalized, and all who are treated with disdain, injustice, and inhumanity. God invites us to open our hearts and pray from our pain and our need—without subterfuge, self-delusion, or self-aggrandizing. Our faith teaches us that God hears and answers all who willingly pray in humility and truth.

Today I will humbly admit to God my weaknesses and failures, sorrows and fears, desires and needs. I will ask God to strengthen me and guide me along the path of forgiveness, reconciliation, love, and compassion. I trust I will be heard. I trust God will respond with mercy.

Pray always

John Everett Millais (1829-1896)
The Unjust Judge and the Importunate Widow
Wood engraving; proof on India paper, 1864
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pray always without becoming weary.
Luke 18:1b

Injustice, violence, and fear in our communities, society, and world. Rising food, housing, and utility costs. Personal illness, family dysfunction, and problems in the workplace. Each day we face great challenges. Sometimes we grow tired from holding them all, balancing them all.

When we let go of our mistaken belief that we always need to be strong, we can find relief. Asking trusted friends or family members for support will renew our energy. Reading sacred Scripture will help us hear God speak to us. Praying constantly will remind us our help is from the Lord. We need God to show us how to be and guide us in everything we do.

Today I will read Luke 18:1-8 and then spend a few quiet minutes in prayer. I will unburden myself to the Lord and ask for help, guidance, and deeper faith in God’s love for me.

Help me, Lord

Gebhard Fugel (1863-1939)
Christus und die Aussätzigen, ca.1920
Diözesanmuseum Freising

“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” Luke 17:13b

Faith gives me the courage and perseverance to call out to the Lord for help when I am in pain, distressed, ill, lonely, tired, discouraged, angry, or wondering how I can help in the world. Experience shows me the Lord will always respond in love and guide me to the healing and wisdom I need.

Today I will exercise my faith muscle by seeking help from the Lord when I feel burdened. I will exercise my gratitude muscle by thanking God for being here for me.

Faith in God’s vision

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
The Mulberry Tree
oil on canvas, October 1889
Norton Simon Museum

Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily.
For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. Habakkuk 2:2-3

Our faith in the Lord’s vision of unity, peace, and love gives us the courage and self-control to continue on the Way of nonviolent resistance to injustice, persecution, and inhumane treatment of the members of our human family.

Today I will soften my heart and listen to the Lord’s voice calling me to embody unity, peace, and love. I will ask the Holy Spirit to empower me to follow the Way of Jesus with faith and courage.

Take notice

Lawrence W. Ladd (fl.1865-1895)
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
watercolor and graphite on paper, ca.1880
Smithsonian American Art Museum

Jesus said to the Pharisees, “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.” Luke 16:19-21

Often when I am out and about, I encounter people who look the other way, stare at their feet, or keep their eyes on their phones. They avoid eye contact. They avoid greeting me. I generally say hello anyway. Sometimes I get a response, which is such a pleasure.

It gets me to think: Who are the people I avoid, fail to notice, ignore, or am indifferent to? What make me afraid to be aware of others and their needs?

Today I will remember that all people are precious. I will love my neighbor by taking notice of everyone I encounter and speaking respectfully to them. I will make a special effort to lift up those who are in need.

Prayer practice

A Prayer Session

Jesus said to his disciples, “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Luke 16:13

Prayer is the mindful practice of remembering God’s presence. Prayer as I wash dishes, prayer as I walk, prayer as I sit in silence, prayer as I gather with friends and family, prayer as I face pervasive societal injustice and violence, prayer as I do my best to cherish each precious human life.

Prayer keeps God in the center of my life and gives me the courage to practice the things of God: humility, reconciliation, unity, generosity, respect, kindness, peace, nonviolence, compassion, justice, love.

Today I will pray for all people in leadership positions that they may heed the Lord’s call to love all people equally, help the poor and needy, and implement unifying, peaceful solutions wherever there is conflict or division.