Tag Archives: art

Clean inside and out

Jan Luyken (1649-1712)
Eating with Unwashed Hands
Phillip Medhurst Collection of Bible illustrations housed at Belgrave Hall, Leicester, England
Photo by Philip De Vere

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” Mark 7:14-15

God made me in God’s own image of goodness and love. Today I will remain in God. I will refuse to be distracted and harried by the negativity, blame, manipulation, shame, and fear that bombard me from all sides. I will let my true nature of kindness, patience, encouragement, and comfort flow out of me to help heal our sorrowing world.

We will serve the Lord

Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)
Joshua Addressing the Israelites at Shechem
black chalk, pen and brush in brown ink, heightened with white, squared, 1518
Teylers Museum

Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68

Who else could teach me to be love, to be compassion, to be forgiveness, to be healing except Jesus, the Master of kindness, reconciliation, and consolation?

Today I will serve the Lord by practicing what he has taught me: to love my enemies and my neighbor; to serve the poor, homeless, hungry, and ill; to comfort the frightened, distraught, and hopeless.

Magnified

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Le magnificat
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

“The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name.” Luke 1:49

When I align my will with the Almighty’s, all things are possible.

Today I will ask God to show me what to do and for the grace to do it.

Fed with love

James Tissot (1836-1902)
La multiplicité des pains, between 1886 and 1894
opaque watercolor over graphite
on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
John 6:35

Today I will be fed by reading Scripture, taking time to be still, and knowing God is always with me.

I will feed others by being kind, listening attentively, and being respectful of their needs and hopes.

Live in gentleness

Feeding the multitude
Bibliothèque nationale de France

[Live]…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love. Ephesians 4:-2

Treat yourself and others with gentleness. Choose gentle words. Make your touch gentle. Look into hearts. See the fragility and vulnerability there. Know that gentleness heals.

Perpetual student

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Jésus enseigne le peuple près de la mer
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

When [Jesus] disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34

A few of the things Jesus has taught me:
– Love my neighbor.
– Forgive those who hurt me.
– Don’t judge myself or others.
– Welcome strangers.
– Notice people and be aware of and attentive to their needs.
– Pray always.

Today I will practice one of the things Jesus has taught me by his word and example.

Be the kindness

Raphael (1483-1520)
Studies of the heads of two apostles and of their hands
black chalk over pounced underdrawing with some white heightening on laid paper
c. 1519 – 1520
Oxford, Ashmolean

Lord, let us see your kindness. Psalm 85:8a

Our smiles and encouragement, compassion and respect, peaceful presence and helping hands allow others to see and know the kindness of the Lord.

Today I will be the kindness of the Lord in all my interactions.

Formed by love

Palestine shepherd
laying the sheep on his shoulders
First World War

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. 1 John 3a

Each of us is a beloved child of God, created by God’s love for the purpose of sharing God’s love with everyone we encounter.

What prevents me from recognizing myself and others as children of the God of love?

Let’s accept peace

Fritz von Uhde (1848-1911)
Der Gang nach Emmaus
pastel on paper, 1891
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

[Jesus] stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Luke 24:36b

Peace is a gift from the Lord.

May I let go of worry, efforts to control others, fear of the future, dissatisfaction with the present, resentment, and blame.

Today may I graciously accept the Lord’s gift of peace.

Peace

Franciszek Smuglewicz (1745 – 1807)
Doubting Thomas
oil on canvas, ca.1800
Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.”
John 20:21a

Jesus repeats it to be sure we get the message: “Peace be with you.”

This is the Lord of peace and reconciliation, the Lord of forgiveness and compassion, the Lord of comfort and mercy.

Lord, fill me with your peace and compassion today.