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United in love

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James Tissot (1836-1902)
The Calling of Saint Peter and Saint Andrew
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brookline Museum

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
1 Corinthians 1:10

The mind and heart and will of God is that we all be unified in and by love, mercy, and peace.

Today I will seek the light of unity rather than the darkness of division in all of my interactions. I will follow the invitation of Jesus to follow him on the path of love, even when others challenge me.

A light for all

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Filament of solar material from Sun erupting into space, and that connected with Earth’s magnetic environment

Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3

Light.
Obedience.
Justice.
Grace.
Peace.
Humility.

This is Jesus, our Lord, our teacher, our mentor, our model.

Here I am, Lord. Holy Spirit, please guide my words, actions, and behaviors that I may fully and completely embody my baptismal promises. May I follow the example of Jesus and humbly do God’s will of love today.

Baptized in peace

Zelenka, Dave. Baptism of Christ
from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then he allowed him. Matthew 3:13-15

Jesus is a humble servant of God who opens his heart and mind to know and follow the will of God. He is God-with-us to bring peace and justice to all people of every nation. He doesn’t self-aggrandize, boast, or seek power. He doesn’t control, bully or coerce anyone. He shows us how to be in the world by loving, forgiving, and paying attention to the needs of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable. With deep compassion, he reaches out to heal the deepest wounds we carry so that we, too, may align our minds, hearts, and wills with God’s.

Today I will listen to the quiet voice of the Lord. I will ask the Holy Spirit to open my mind and heart to receive and embody God’s healing, peace, and love. May my life reflect God’s will to love, be merciful, and live in peace with all people.

Don’t forget me

Francesco Allegrini da Gubbio (1587–1663)
Christ Crucified with the Good Thief
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash.
Framing lines in red chalk,
and in pen and brown ink on mount, 1624–63
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 80.3.326

[The other criminal said,] “Jesus, remember me.” Luke 23:42

No one wants to be forgotten, overlooked, ignored. No one wants to be abandoned, rejected, dismissed. No one wants to be excluded, pushed aside, shamed. No one wants to be treated with indifference, malice, inhumanity.

Today I will give thanks that all people have been made in God’s image of love and goodness. I will remember to be aware of the people I encounter and remember everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. I will ask Jesus to help me remember to love my neighbor as myself.

Persevere with love

Pannai, Jaffna Jesus in Sun, 2019

[Jesus answered,] “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Luke 21:9

Persevere in the work of the Lord: love your neighbor, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, give shelter to the homeless, forgive those who hurt you, love your enemy. Let go of fear. Trust the Lord.

Today I will choose to place my mind, heart, and will into God’s care. I will make a commitment to do the work of compassion, reconciliation, and justice as Jesus has taught me.

Holy temples of God

Rembrandt (1606-1669) Jesus driving the money-changers from the Temple etching, state i/ii, 1635

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Each of us is a temple of God, a holy place, a holy being, made in the image of God’s love and goodness.

Whenever we are in the presence of any person, we need to remember we are in the presence of a child of God and are on holy ground. We need to treat everyone with reverence, respect, and kindness. We need to honor each person’s inner dignity because the Holy Spirit dwells in everyone.

Today I will ask Jesus to drive prejudice, disdain, greed, injustice, and indifference out of my mind and heart. I will ask him for the grace to build my life on a foundation of compassion, civility, generosity, peace, and humble service to those in need.

Love is the Truth

Ge, N. N. (Nikolaĭ Nikolaevich), 1831-1894
“What is truth?” Christ and Pilate
Tretyakov Gallery

[Jesus answered,] “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” John 18:37

The truth: God created us out of an almighty, everlasting love that is and was and is to come. There is no beginning and no end to God’s love. We dwell in God’s love in this very moment and always will.

Today I will testify to God’s love by loving my neighbor as myself.

Breathe

James Moriarty Fig Tree in Spring, 2005

Each breath I take is a sign of God’s Spirit within me. No matter what is happening, my breath reminds me I am always in the presence of the Lord, at home in the heart of God.

Today I will remember to breathe when I am anxious or upset. God is here.

I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Psalm 16:8

It’s not about power and prestige

The Widow’s Mite – Luke 21:1-4
JESUS MAFA. The Widow’s Mite, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

Jesus never sought honor, power, or prestige. He cared about people and he helped them—especially the poor, the hungry, the ill, and those rejected and abandoned by society.

Lord, grant me the grace to empty myself of arrogance, greed, self-serving, and indifference. Fill me with your kindness, generosity, compassion, and welcome. Show me concrete ways to help the poor and hopeless.

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

One with God in love

God Is Love
SashaLee19 [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

“The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4

Our love manifests in many ways. Respect for the environment and all of God’s creation. Gratitude for our many blessings. Listening attentively to the opinions of others. Encouraging those who are downhearted. Bringing food to the food pantry. Treating all people with courtesy. Saying “Please” and “Thank you” to the people who help us. Donating our unused clothing and household items to an organization that will distribute them to people in need. Speaking words that express peace, hope, and kindness. Praying for an end to war and violence.

Lord, may I be one with you in love. Please show me how to love you and my neighbor today.