Tag Archives: art

Make me clean

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)
Christus geneest een melaatse
Pen and ink drawing; 14.7 x 17.2 cm
c.1650-1655
Rijksprentenkabinet

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” Mark 1:40-41

The Lord does not withhold mercy, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, or guidance from us. He wishes us to be whole and healed. All we have to do is ask him for his grace-filled help.

Today I will turn to the Lord in times of trouble. I will ask for healing and trust the Lord hears and answers me.

Look for the Lord

James Tissot (1836-1902)
The Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-law (La guérison de la belle-mère de Pierre)
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, 1886-1894
Brooklyn Museum

Simon and those who were with Jesus pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Mark 1:36-37

When I feel restless, when I feel my life is a drudgery, when I feel lonely and sad, that’s when I intentionally go looking for the Lord. I ask him to be with me, heal me, show me how to be of service in this moment.

Today I will remember I am always in the presence of God who is good and gracious and wise, who heals my brokenness and gives me hope.

Listen

Alexandre Bida (1813-1895)
Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue, 1875

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Psalm 95:7-8

Jesus speaks with authority about taking care of the hungry, homeless, and imprisoned. He speaks with authority about welcoming strangers. He speaks with authority about loving my enemies and forgiving those who hurt me.

Today I will soften my heart, listen to the Lord’s call to love and care for each and every member of our human family, and respond in a concrete way.

Teach me, O Lord

Fishing with the Cast-net

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD. Psalm 25:6-7

Teach my your way of kindness and goodness, Lord. Grant me the grace to remember all people are in need of compassion. Open my heart to welcome and listen to those who are suffering.

Following the Lord

The Baptist points to the scroll on his cross that reads Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God) Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” John 1:38

When I call myself a follower of Jesus, I am looking to be more like him in kindness, patience, nonviolence, forgiveness, compassion. I am looking to be more like him in following God’s will even when it doesn’t seem to make sense, being aware of the needs of others, helping the ill, the lonely, the discouraged.

Today I will take time in quiet prayer to consider what I am looking for as I follow Jesus. I will ask for the grace to be more like him in my interactions with others.

A gift for you

JESUS MAFA. Visit of the Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48292 [retrieved January 7, 2024].

The Magi opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

We carry so many gifts in us. Kindness. Hospitality. Respect. Creativity. Forgiveness. Generosity. Good humor. Helpfulness. Love.

Whenever we offer our gifts to others, we offer them to the Lord.

Today I will open the treasure of my heart and share one of my gifts with someone in need.

Clothed in love

Holy Family

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

May I live each day clothed in the love of God, neighbor, and self.

Today I will intentionally walk in the ways of the Lord. I will look for and honor God’s presence in every person.

Honor Christ in each other

Montreal Soup Kitchen, 1931

“‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'”Matthew 25:37-30

Today I will bring a little food to the food pantry, smile a welcome to someone I don’t know, write a note someone who is ill or troubled—and honor Christ in each precious person.

Christ light

Rembrandt (1606-1669)
La parabole des talents

For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Our light is the Christ, the light of goodness, the light of love, the light of compassion, the light of mercy, the light of forgiveness, the light of healing.

Today I will shine my light of goodness and love wherever I find myself.

Fill up with wisdom

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Les vierges sages
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum of Art

Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. Wisdom 6:12

The wisdom of God is in our hearts. Our hearts know how to love, how to forgive, how to welcome others, how to discern truth and justice.

Today I will replenish my supply of patience, mercy, kindness, and compassion by spending five minutes alone with the Lord. I will find wisdom by listening to the love in my heart.