Tag Archives: art

God answers

(Hans) Sebald Beham (1500-1550)
Die Geschichte des verlorenen Sohnes/
The Prodigal Son, 1538
Private Collection

When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. Psalm 34:7

God is present. God hears me when I call out. God saves me from distress by blessing me with courage and strength to bear a burden, by showing me what to do in a difficult situation, by giving me the right words at the right moment, by removing my resentments, by helping me to grieve, and through the kindness and compassion of other people.

Today I will call on God for all my needs. I will trust that my prayer will be answered and stay alert to receive the help God provides.

Cultivate kindness and compassion

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Le vigneron et le figuier,
between 1886 and 1894
gouache over graphite
on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

The Lord is kind and merciful. Psalm 103:8a

Kind words and actions and a compassionate presence do more to build up the kingdom of heaven than harshness, impatience, and an unforgiving attitude.

Lord, show me how to be more like you. Fill me with your kindness, peace, and compassion. May my words and actions reflect your infinite patience and love.

We belong

James Tissot (1835-1902)
Jésus dans la synagogue déroule le livre
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you, “ nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” 1 Corinthians 12:18-21

In many areas of our world and society, human life is considered cheap – to be destroyed by war, trafficking, slavery, experimental science, and many other forms of self-interest, selfishness, and greed.

We must never forget God made each precious person in the image of God’s own image of love and goodness. We must always remember to treat ourselves and every person with generosity and dignity, and with the respect and compassion that is our birthright.

We all belong to God. Today I will make sure I welcome and honor everyone I encounter.

The Spirit of love and goodness

Jan Cossiers (1600-1671)
The Wedding at Cana
Oil on canvas, between 1641 and 1660
Sint-Waldetrudiskerk

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

The same Spirit of love and goodness dwells in each precious human person. We are each led by God’s Spirit to bless our families and communities with that love and goodness in our own unique way.

Today I will ask God’s Spirit for deep awareness of the love and goodness in my heart and to show me how to bless everyone I encounter with that love and goodness.

Comfort

Zelenka, Dave. Baptism of Christ, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56385 [retrieved January 9, 2022]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baptism-of-Christ.jpg.

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

Each of us is a beloved child of God in need of loving kindness, encouragement, and healing.

Today I will be a source of comfort to every person I encounter.

Treasures of the heart

Emmanuel Tzanes (1610-1690)
Adoration of the Magi
Egg tempera on wood, 1667
The Loverdos Museum

[The magi] were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:10-11

When I open my heart, treasures of kindness, generosity, forgiveness, courtesy, respect, love, peace, and compassion bless the world.

Today I will offer the treasures of my heart to everyone I encounter.

Choose kindness and gentleness

Jesus among the teachers
Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48280
[retrieved December 26, 2021].
Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14

There are many, many attributes I can develop so that I live out the Lord’s command to love my neighbor.

Today I will be kindness, gentleness, and patience in all my interactions.

Blessed Are We

The Visitation
Fresco, ca.1000
St. Sophia of Kyiv

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke 1:45

The Lord has spoken a vision of love to us: love of God, neighbor, and self.

Today I will ask the Lord to fill me with God’s own love, peace, and joy so that I may practice what I believe. I will collaborate in the work of love by treating all people with respect, kindness, and compassion.

With joy

Jacques Callot (1592-1635)
S. Jean Baptiste, June 24th, from Les Images De Tous Les Saints et Saintes de L’Année, 1636
Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

Today I will prepare the way of the Lord by letting my heart be filled with God’s love, peace, kindness, and joy. I will release that love, peace, kindness, and joy to bless everyone I encounter.

A wider, deeper heart

Tree of Jesse Icon, 17th c.

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

My capacity to give and receive love dips and rises and mostly seems to plateau at a level that feels most comfortable for me. What would it feel like to continually increase in love, to greet the world and everyone in it with an abundance of joy, compassion, kindness, respect, encouragement, and delight?

Today I will ask God to widen and deepen my heart to increase my capacity for love.