Tag Archives: Catholic

A peaceful solution

Refugee Children
Andy Wheatley, UK Department for International Development
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” Mark 9:37

When I am dismayed by the violence, finger-pointing, injustice, and anger that is prevalent in society, I look deep inside to uncover and let go of my own envy, arrogance, selfishness, and resentment.

To bring the fruit of peace, responsibility, compassion, and forgiveness to my interactions is my daily calling so that I may be a small part of the solution to what troubles our world.

Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. James 3:16-18

In the moment

Harry Fenn (1845-1911)
Caesarea Philippi (Banias)
Watercolor, gouache, brown ink, and graphite on light brown wove paper
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Even the low times contain a stillpoint of joy. The Lord is right there in the moment. I do not walk alone.

Gracious is the Lord and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The Lord keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
Psalm 116:5-6

Impediments

Meister von Müstair
Heilung des Taubstummen
fresco, ca.830
Müstair (Schweiz), Klosterkirche St. Johann

Sometimes I cannot hear the Lord’s call to love my neighbor, forgive those who hurt me, and befriend the poor. It’s not that I willfully oppose the Lord’s call, but that I am afflicted in the moment with anxiety, depression, physical pain, or other distracting states of mind and being.

May I forgive myself for my human imperfections and pray that the impediments that prevent me from hearing, speaking, and acting on the Good News of love and healing be removed.

[Jesus] said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. Mark 7:34-35

In trust

Jan Luyken
Eating with Unwashed Hands
Etching from the Phillip Medhurst Collection of Bible illustrations housed at Belgrave Hall, Leicester, England
By Phillip Medhurst [CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

Life experiences can be overwhelming, stressful, and undermining, but they are not a reflection of who we are. We are God’s beloved daughters and sons. Nothing will ever change God’s love for us.

Today I will thank God for loving me. When adversity enters my life, I will trust God is with me, and respond with courage, forgiveness, and compassion.

He 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

Eternal words

Jesus and apostles. Fresco in Cappadocia
ca.XII c.

God loved us into being. God’s love pours into us and through us and out of us to touch others with tangible, visible, generous love.

Love of God, neighbor, and self: the words of eternal life.

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

Through, with, and in Wisdom

Seven Pillars of Wisdom at Wadi Rum
By Daniel Case [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

Love is the will of God. I learn to embody the will of God by practicing respect, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, generosity, patience, and acceptance with all people—even my “enemies.”

Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. Ephesians 5:17

Bread of Compassion

Man Holding Bread
By Kate Remmer studioktr (unsplash.com) [CC0 ], via Wikimedia Commons

Today I will be mindful of serving the little bit of love and compassion I have to others.

One person’s offering can go a long way—for it is the Lord who multiplies it.

All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Ephesians 4:31-32

Real work

Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov (1806-1858)
People Gather Manna
via Wikimedia Commons

A job may earn me money, but my real work is learning to love—at home, in the workplace, in the community, those I know, those I have never met.

Today my work is to practice compassion, patience, forgiveness, generosity, gratitude, nonviolence, and reverence for all of God’s creation. My never-failing mentor is the Lord.

[Jesus said,] “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” ” John 6:27

Peace in unity

Loaves and Fishes Mosaic
Church of the Multiplication, Tabgha

Today I choose to avoid divisiveness. I will use my energy to practice patience, treat all people with gentleness, and become more humble by refusing to compare myself with others.

…live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace… Ephesians 4:1b-3

Sheep of faith

Shepherd and sheep in Saudi Arabia
haitham alfalah, 28 September 2012

The Shepherd who calls me has removed the wall that prevents people from experiencing love, peace, and wholeness. Am I willing to follow the Shepherd of Compassion wherever he leads me?

In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity. Ephesians 2:13-14ab