Fear no one

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Bilal Mirza
House Sparrows in Pakistan, 2008

God notices each of us, right down to the last hair on our heads.

But I am not always quick to notice others and their needs. I am not always ready to reassure others they are precious in the eyes of God. I am often controlled by fear and unable to share God’s love with those I encounter.

Today I will let God’s loving care transform me into a loving presence for others.

[Jesus said,] “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

Hunger pangs

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Pieter Breugel the Elder (between 1526-1530 – 1569)
Caritas (Charity) – The Seven Acts of Mercy – Detail of the Feeding of the Hungry
pen in brown ink, 1559

Hungry.

For love. Compassion. Peace. Kindness. Generosity. Forgiveness. Understanding. Acceptance. Encouragement. Companionship. Hope. Meaning. Purpose. Rest.

Today I ask the One who is the bread of life to feed me. And I pray for the grace to share what I am freely given with everyone I encounter.

[Jesus said,] “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:57-58

Holy mission

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By Gunnar Bach Pedersen (Own work (Own photo)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

God sends each of his sons and daughters every day to bring love to the world, to be peacemakers, to promote justice, to help the poor and ill, to comfort the lonely and grieving, to forgive wrongs.

Can God trust me with this holy mission?

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17

 

The power in each breath

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The power of wind and fire is within each breath I take. This is the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.

How will I make use of the power of the Spirit in me today? How can I help fulfill the Lord’s vision of peace and unity and love among all people?

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:2-4

 

Teaching

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Chris Cook, b.1962
Men of Galilee
Acrylic on canvas

Love, forgiveness, compassion, nonviolence, prayer, generosity, service to the poor… does my life witness teach others these commands of the Lord?

Today I will remember Jesus is with me and ask for the courage to embody his commands. I will look to others to be my teachers, too, so that I may become more skilled in the ways of the Lord.

Then Jesus approached and said to them, “…[teach] them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18a, 20a

All together now

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Simone Cantarini, 1612-1648
Holy Trinity, 17th c.
Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil

God’s Holy Spirit lives and breathes with, in, and through us. We are in the Lord, the Lord is in us. We are dependent upon the Lord, and the Lord depends on us to be the eyes and ears and hands and hearts of God’s love and compassion in the world.

[Jesus said to his disciples,] “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” John 14:20

Like this

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Jacek Andrzej Rossakiewicz, 1956-2016
The Prayer of Jesus
oil on canvas, 1990

Faith to walk the way of peace and nonviolence and forgiveness.

Faith to be guided by the truth of our common humanity that demands generosity towards the poor and compassion for the suffering.

Faith to choose life with, in, and from the healing power of love.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” John 14:1