Category Archives: meditations

Found treasure

Emblems, divine and moral : The school of the heart; and Hieroglyphics of the life of man, 1866 By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

Emblems, divine and moral : The school of the heart; and Hieroglyphics of the life of man, 1866
By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

Our treasure is rooted in God’s love when we take care of our families, welcome newcomers to our communities, help those in need, give generously to the poor, and respect each person we encounter.

Our treasure is scattered when we become self-engrossed, careless of the needs of others, and hostile towards those whose opinions and lifestyles are different from ours.

Our treasure is found right where we are, moment-to-moment.

Today I will practice choosing love over self-centeredness.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Luke 12:32-34

Let go of greed

Teachings_of_Jesus_26_of_40._parable_of_the_rich_man._Jan_Luyken_etching._Bowyer_BibleI struggle with my obsession to have on hand an over-abundance of cat food to tempt finicky feline appetites, extra rolls of paper towels and unopened boxes of tissues, and a stash of chocolate in case my cookie supply runs out.

Holding on to material goods is a form of greed. It reflects a deeper issue: a lack of faith that my needs—physical and spiritual—are in God’s capable charge.

Today I will remember to turn to the Source of Life when I worry about not having enough. And I will open my hands and heart to find someone with whom I can share my plenty.

Then [Jesus] told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’” Luke 12:16-17

The door to holiness

17Ask to know God’s will. Seek to imitate Jesus. Be insistent on embodying compassion, forgiveness, generosity, reconciliation, nonviolence, and love.

You will receive God’s guidance. You will find the path to freedom. The door to holiness will be opened to you.

[Jesus said to them,] “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9

A serving of attention

Johannes Vermeer, 1632-1675 Christ in the House of Martha and Mary oil on canvas, between ca.1654 and ca.1656 Scottish National Gallery

Johannes Vermeer, 1632-1675
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary
oil on canvas, between ca.1654 and ca.1656
Scottish National Gallery

Today I will welcome the Lord. I will offer him the hospitality of my heart and sit at his feet to listen to and learn from him. I will serve him with my attention.

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Luke 10:38-39

Focus on Compassion

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890_ Der barmherzige Samariter (nach Delacroix) Saint-Rémy, May 1890 oil on canvas Kröller-Müller Museum

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
Der barmherzige Samariter (nach Delacroix)
Saint-Rémy, May 1890
oil on canvas
Kröller-Müller Museum

The focus of the parable of the Good Samaritan is not on the robbers who beat the traveler and left him half-dead. It is not on the indifferent, fearful priest and Levite.

Jesus puts our attention on the Samaritan who, out of compassion for the injured traveler, stopped and helped, and went out of his way to do what he could to aid the recovery of the wounded person.

Today I will put my attention and energy on showing compassion to those in need. I will keep my focus on  manifesting the mercy of God with my thoughts, words, and actions. I will not make idols of the violence, indifference, and fear that plague our world.

[Jesus replied,] “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” [The scholar of the law] answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Luke 10:36-37

 

Empowered to love

Gustave Doré (1832-1883) The Fall of Satan Illustration for John Milton’s “Paradise Lost“ engraving, 1866

Gustave Doré (1832-1883)
The Fall of Satan
Illustration for John Milton’s “Paradise Lost“
engraving, 1866

God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to practice patience with those who aggravate me, visit someone who is lonely or ill, give food and clothing to those in need.

God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to say no to injustice, speak out against racism and prejudice,  practice simple living in a society where money and possessions have become more important than integrity, humility, and kindness.

God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to be a willing servant  of God’s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness as I go about my daily responsibilities.

Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.  Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:18-20

Coming home

James Tissot (1836-1902) Il allait par les villages en route pour Jérusalem opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Il allait par les villages en route pour Jérusalem
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Jesus enters into the lives of the people to teach us about the love of God, to touch us with healing compassion, to walk with us in our suffering.

Every encounter I have with Jesus is like coming home. For that time, I can rest. I let go of conflict, obsession, worry, and grief. From these moments of respite, I gather courage and strength and willingness to follow the example of the Compassion of God in my interactions with others.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Luke 9:57-58

Suffering is real

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) Christ Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law pen and wash, ca. 1650-1660 Paris, Fondation Custodia

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)
Christ Healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law
pen and wash, ca. 1650-1660
Paris, Fondation Custodia

Suffering is not an option. It’s a difficult, mysterious, devastating part of the human condition.

Jesus understands suffering. Turn to him when the pain—mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual—is too much for you. He will raise you with him.

[Jesus] said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and on the third day be raised.” Luke 9:22

Heart to heart

Luba_Lukova

Luba Lukova
Mary of Bethany

Sometimes there are no words to express the sorrow, the shame, the guilt, the enormity of the burden, the desire to be healed.

So the Lord works with me in the silence. I seek his presence. I offer him my failings, weaknesses, fears, shortcomings, pain. I show him my heart.

And he shows me his heart of infinite understanding, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and love—and I am made whole again.

Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:37-38

The miracle

"...looking upon Mount Tabor from the summit of the Hill of Moreh or Little Hermon. That village in the middle of the view is Nain, where, on one of his journeys, Jesus raised to life the only son of a widow." By OSU Special Collections & Archives : Commons [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

“…looking upon Mount Tabor from the summit of the Hill of Moreh or Little Hermon. That village in the middle of the view is Nain, where, on one of his journeys, Jesus raised to life the only son of a widow.”
By OSU Special Collections & Archives : Commons [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

Awareness of the Lord’s presence. Faith in the Lord’s care and concern for me and all of the human family. Trust in the relationship I am building with the Lord through prayer and meditation and study of Scripture. Compassion for all those who bear the burden of suffering.

This is the miracle the widow of Nain shares with me.

When the Lord saw [the mother], he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Luke 7:13-15