The whole of the human mystery

James Tissot (1836-1902) Il ne fit pas des miracles mais il guérit Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, 1886-`896 Brooklyn Museum of Art

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Il ne fit pas des miracles mais il guérit
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, 1886-1896
Brooklyn Museum of Art

When my friend Tina died, people shared so many wonderful memories of her. I was privileged to know about her spiritual insights and longings, her passion for social justice, her loyalty, her good work ethic, her sense of humor, and a few of her daily struggles. Other people knew her in different ways that opened my eyes to see a more complete picture of the beauty of Tina’s humanity. It was humbling for me to acknowledge how limited my viewpoint of Tina was. I realized that we can never know the whole of anyone.

The people in Jesus’ hometown had a limited idea of him. They were so sure that their viewpoint was the “right” one that they were judgmental and skeptical of his gifts. They couldn’t let him be Who he really was in their presence.

Today I am going to remember that I can never know the whole of another—their struggles, their pain, their hopes, their grief, their wounds, their talents, their interests. I am going to practice letting go of judging myself and others. I am going to keep in mind that we all want to be loved and accepted just as we are. And I am going to let God be God.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” Mark 6:4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practicing faith

"Laura

Laura James
The Woman Suffering from Hemorrhages
acrylic on canvas, 2007
Private Collection

Medicine is a practice and doctors don’t always have the answer. But Jesus does.

Today I am going to practice having faith that Jesus has the cure for my ailments, illnesses, and anxieties. I am going to practice reaching out to touch his cloak of compassion, mercy, and peace. I am going to practice tuning in to feel the Lord’s healing in my mind, body, and spirit.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Mark 5:25-29

At peace in the storm

Jesus asleep in the boat

Jesus asleep in the boat

Rest easy.

The storm will pass.

God is with us.

The Lord is in charge.

All is well.

A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. Mark 4:37-38a

Small seeds of love

Love in a pot

Love in a pot

God has planted the seed of unconditional love in each of our hearts. We watch that seed grow and spread and provide shelter as we practice forgiveness instead of resentment, patience instead of irritation, generosity instead self-seeking, awareness and compassion towards those in need instead of indifference to the cries of the poor, lonely, homeless, depressed, heartbroken, elderly, and abandoned.

 

[Jesus said to the crowds:] “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.” Mark 4:26-27

The cup of Love

© José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro / , via Wikimedia Commons

Capilla de Corpus Christi, Catedral de Burgos
© José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro  via Wikimedia Commons

As a unique, significant member of the Body of Christ, each of us is privileged to share in the unconditional Love that is the New Covenant between God and the human family.

This covenant of Love teaches me to open my eyes, ears, hands, and heart to welcome each of my sisters and brothers in God’s human family; to let go of judgment, resentment, and fear; to give thanks for the grace to learn the way of peace and reconciliation from the Master of Compassion, who is Jesus, who has once and for always healed our brokenness into unity and harmony.

Then [Jesus] took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. Mark 14:23

 

In the presence

Lucia Wiley (1906-1998) Trinidad

Lucia Wiley (1906-1998)
Trinidad

When I wonder if my life has meaning and purpose, I remember Jesus is with me always. How can my life lack meaning if I am at all times in the presence of the Lord?

[Jesus said to them,] “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b

A force of nature

A force of Nature

A force of Nature

Wind and fire are forces of nature that command our attention. The Holy Spirit is a force of God’s nature that demands our attention.

The Holy Spirit pushes us, compels us, directs us, and sets us on fire to imitate Jesus. The Holy Spirit fuels our passion for justice, our desire to forgive, our impulse to reach out with compassion, and our commitment to love.

Be swept away by the wind. Feel the heat of the fire. Trust the movement of the Spirit in your life.

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 2:2-4a

RESOURCE: The Racial Divide in the United States, text and study guide

paxchristiusa's avatarPax Christi USA

from the National Black Catholic Congress

racial-divide“The Racial Divide in the United States: A Reflection for the World Day of Peace 2015,” is a study-guide is designed to assist parishes, schools, study groups, Small Christian Communities, and others who wish to participate in serious discussions of Bishop Edward K. Braxton’s “The Racial Divide in the United States: A Reflection for the World Day of Peace 2015.” This study-guide should be seen as a flexible resource that can be adapted for use by large or small groups. While the guide is arranged for the participation of members of a group, it can also be used by two people or by an individual. It is for all who, with Christian faith, would like to examine the complex racial divide in our country that is documented in each day’s headlines and the personal experiences of many people. The study-guide will aid you in…

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Seeing God

JESUS MAFA. The Ascension, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48398 [retrieved May 17, 2015].

JESUS MAFA. The Ascension, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved May 17, 2015].

Looking at Jesus, we see that God forgives, touches, heals, listens, welcomes, serves, and walks with people from all stations in life.

Looking at Jesus, we see that God seeks to fulfill the law of Love: love of God, self, and neighbor.

We see God by studying the person of Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we have been given the grace to imitate Jesus and so give others a glimpse of God.

No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. 1 John 4:12

How many ways to love

Tissot, Le lavement des pieds

James Tissot, 1836-1902
Le lavement des pieds, between 1886 and 1894
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

Just for today I am going to think of one way to love one other person.

I may smile at a stranger.
I may invite someone to tea.
I may respond with patience to someone who is irritating me.
I may contact someone who is lonely.
I may thank someone for being there for me.

[Jesus said,] “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” John 15:12