Tag Archives: art

Being neighbor

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The Good Samaritan
After William Hogarth (British, London 1697–1764 London)
Etching and engraving, February 24, 1772
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

It’s a directive from the Lord: Treat my neighbor with mercy. That means extending compassion to someone who is suffering; listening when someone needs to talk; visiting someone who is lonely; feeding someone who is hungry.

It’s about noticing others. It’s about paying attention. It’s about letting go of indifference. It’s about taking care of you and me and all of us — precious members of God’s beloved human family.

Sow and harvest

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The Seventy-two Disciples
tempera on parchment
Ethiopia, ca.1480-1520
Getty Open Content Program
Ms. 105 (2010.17), fol. 9

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers and sisters. Amen. Galatians 6:18

The grace of our Lord touches our hearts and spirits with the desire to do good, forgive wrongs, bring healing to those who are suffering, be peacemakers, let go of blame, and take responsibility for our actions and attitudes.

We are good and trustworthy. That is why the Lord sends us into the world to sow and harvest love, compassion, and nonviolence.

In trust

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Laura James
Jesus Feeds the 5000

He is trustworthy, our Lord. He welcomes us  and does not reject us. He sees our needs and heals us. He feeds us with love, compassion, and forgiveness.

And he trusts us to do the same for our neighbors.

Today I will imitate the gracious hospitality and all-embracing love of the Lord.

Jesus received the crowds and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. Luke 9:11b

Through the Holy Spirit

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The Blue Marble
NASA/Apollo 17 crew; taken by either Harrison Schmitt or Ron Evans, December 7, 1972

We human persons are so small, frail, weak, and fragile. But filled with God’s Holy Spirit, we have the choice to be spacious in love, unbreakable in generosity, powerful in compassion, and invincible in forgiveness.

When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place — What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? Psalm 8:4-5

Untamed

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“Tame” does not describe the Holy Spirit. Be prepared to be surprised, overwhelmed, consumed, humbled, delighted by 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

Spark of glory

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William Rimmer (1816-1879)
Saint Stephen, 1860
Art Institute of Chicago

[Jesus prayed, saying, “Holy Father,] I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me.” John 17:22-23a

We are of God and in God, tiny sparks reflecting God’s glory.

How will I shine God’s glorious love and compassion in the world today?

Peace in and through us

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We are in the Presence of God, now, in this moment. May I remember to call on the Holy Spirit to think, live, and speak for and through me to bring the love and peace of God to the world.

[Jesus said to his disciples:] “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:25-27