Pentecost
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:4-5
Today I will use my gifts to bless the people in my family, community, country, and world with love and peace.
May I embody God’s compassion with every breath I take.
Philip Galle (1537-1612) after Jan van der Straet
The Meeting of the Apostles and the Women
in the Upper Room
engraving
National Gallery of Art
Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks. Psalm 27:7-8
There are so many people to pray for, so many people who are ill, suffering, lonely, afraid, or abused. People who are locked down in nursing homes because of the COVID-19 virus. People who have lost their homes and have become refugees. People who are fleeing unjust and unsafe regimes and are seeking asylum in new countries. People who are being trafficked and sold into slavery. People who have no one to pray for them.
Today I will remember to pray. I will ask the Lord to hear me as I pray for those in need in our fragile, troubled world.
A street of Pillars at the ruins of the city Samaria
PALÄSTINA und das OSTOJORDANLAND (Julius Hoffmann, Stuttgart, 1925)
[Jesus said to his disciples:] “I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” John 14:20
Time passes, life events impact us, we adapt, grow, develop, move on.
But our union with God never changes. We are forever entwined with God, eternally in harmony with kindness, compassion, reverence, joy, and love.
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Psalm 33:22
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
John 14:6a
The way is love.
Love is the truth we serve.
Love is how we make our lives reflect the image of the One who loved us first.
Set of thirteen select slides of shepherd life, illustrating the Twenty Third Psalm. “He restoreth my soul”
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Psalm 23:1
God is in charge. As I listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, I know that everything I need shall be provided.
De maaltijd te Emmaüs, Jacobus Buys, naar Rembrandt van Rijn, 1765
Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum
I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Psalm 16:8
God is present at all times. God is in illness and loneliness, in sorrow and suffering — in the wounds of the human condition and in the silence of healing.
Today I will practice the presence of God in ordinary events and in the people I encounter.
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Caravaggio (1571-1610)
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
oil on canvas, from 1601 until 1602
Sanssouci Picture Gallery
Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19
Peace in this time of uncertainty. Peace in our hearts. Peace in our words. Peace in our actions.
Breathe peace.
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Icon of the Resurrection
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
Psalm 118:24
Today is a gift from God. May I open my eyes, ears, and heart to find reasons to rejoice and be glad in it.
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Jesus Before Pilate, James Tissot (1836-1902)
First Interview (Jésus devant Pilate. Premier entretien).
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum
[Jesus] humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8
In all times God walks with us through fear, pain, uncertainty, sorrow, and grief. Our part is to trust God’s will, trust God’s vision, trust God’s love, trust God is with us.
Today I will accept that this is a time of illness and isolation. I will ask God to show me God’s will for me and for the grace to carry it out.
The Raising of Lazarus (after Rembrandt)
Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890), Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, May 1890
oil on paper, 50 cm x 65.5 cm
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. John 11:17-19
There is a tremendous sorrow in our world right now. We need each other’s love and compassion. We need to comfort one another.
Today I will offer comfort to someone in need.
