Category Archives: Luke

Blessed are we

Mount of the Beatitudes, Galilee

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Psalm 40:5a

We are blessed to put our lives into the care of the Lord who is love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, understanding, gentleness.

Today I will let go of fear and negativity and put my hope in love.

God is here

Fishing with the Cast-net

When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. Psalm 138:3

God is here in this place.

Today I will remember to call to God when I feel lonely, overwhelmed, sad, or discouraged. I know God will answer me and give me the courage to keep on.

We belong

James Tissot (1835-1902)
Jésus dans la synagogue déroule le livre
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you, “ nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” 1 Corinthians 12:18-21

In many areas of our world and society, human life is considered cheap – to be destroyed by war, trafficking, slavery, experimental science, and many other forms of self-interest, selfishness, and greed.

We must never forget God made each precious person in the image of God’s own image of love and goodness. We must always remember to treat ourselves and every person with generosity and dignity, and with the respect and compassion that is our birthright.

We all belong to God. Today I will make sure I welcome and honor everyone I encounter.

Comfort

Zelenka, Dave. Baptism of Christ, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56385 [retrieved January 9, 2022]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baptism-of-Christ.jpg.

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

Each of us is a beloved child of God in need of loving kindness, encouragement, and healing.

Today I will be a source of comfort to every person I encounter.

Choose kindness and gentleness

Jesus among the teachers
Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48280
[retrieved December 26, 2021].
Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14

There are many, many attributes I can develop so that I live out the Lord’s command to love my neighbor.

Today I will be kindness, gentleness, and patience in all my interactions.

Blessed Are We

The Visitation
Fresco, ca.1000
St. Sophia of Kyiv

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke 1:45

The Lord has spoken a vision of love to us: love of God, neighbor, and self.

Today I will ask the Lord to fill me with God’s own love, peace, and joy so that I may practice what I believe. I will collaborate in the work of love by treating all people with respect, kindness, and compassion.

With joy

Jacques Callot (1592-1635)
S. Jean Baptiste, June 24th, from Les Images De Tous Les Saints et Saintes de L’Année, 1636
Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

Today I will prepare the way of the Lord by letting my heart be filled with God’s love, peace, kindness, and joy. I will release that love, peace, kindness, and joy to bless everyone I encounter.

Magnified

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Le magnificat
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

“The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name.” Luke 1:49

When I align my will with the Almighty’s, all things are possible.

Today I will ask God to show me what to do and for the grace to do it.

Let’s accept peace

Fritz von Uhde (1848-1911)
Der Gang nach Emmaus
pastel on paper, 1891
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

[Jesus] stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Luke 24:36b

Peace is a gift from the Lord.

May I let go of worry, efforts to control others, fear of the future, dissatisfaction with the present, resentment, and blame.

Today may I graciously accept the Lord’s gift of peace.