Tag Archives: Christian

Help me, Lord

Gebhard Fugel (1863-1939)
Christus und die Aussätzigen, ca.1920
Diözesanmuseum Freising

“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” Luke 17:13b

Faith gives me the courage and perseverance to call out to the Lord for help when I am in pain, distressed, ill, lonely, tired, discouraged, angry, or wondering how I can help in the world. Experience shows me the Lord will always respond in love and guide me to the healing and wisdom I need.

Today I will exercise my faith muscle by seeking help from the Lord when I feel burdened. I will exercise my gratitude muscle by thanking God for being here for me.

Faith in God’s vision

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
The Mulberry Tree
oil on canvas, October 1889
Norton Simon Museum

Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily.
For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. Habakkuk 2:2-3

Our faith in the Lord’s vision of unity, peace, and love gives us the courage and self-control to continue on the Way of nonviolent resistance to injustice, persecution, and inhumane treatment of the members of our human family.

Today I will soften my heart and listen to the Lord’s voice calling me to embody unity, peace, and love. I will ask the Holy Spirit to empower me to follow the Way of Jesus with faith and courage.

Take notice

Lawrence W. Ladd (fl.1865-1895)
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
watercolor and graphite on paper, ca.1880
Smithsonian American Art Museum

Jesus said to the Pharisees, “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.” Luke 16:19-21

Often when I am out and about, I encounter people who look the other way, stare at their feet, or keep their eyes on their phones. They avoid eye contact. They avoid greeting me. I generally say hello anyway. Sometimes I get a response, which is such a pleasure.

It gets me to think: Who are the people I avoid, fail to notice, ignore, or am indifferent to? What make me afraid to be aware of others and their needs?

Today I will remember that all people are precious. I will love my neighbor by taking notice of everyone I encounter and speaking respectfully to them. I will make a special effort to lift up those who are in need.

Prayer practice

A Prayer Session

Jesus said to his disciples, “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Luke 16:13

Prayer is the mindful practice of remembering God’s presence. Prayer as I wash dishes, prayer as I walk, prayer as I sit in silence, prayer as I gather with friends and family, prayer as I face pervasive societal injustice and violence, prayer as I do my best to cherish each precious human life.

Prayer keeps God in the center of my life and gives me the courage to practice the things of God: humility, reconciliation, unity, generosity, respect, kindness, peace, nonviolence, compassion, justice, love.

Today I will pray for all people in leadership positions that they may heed the Lord’s call to love all people equally, help the poor and needy, and implement unifying, peaceful solutions wherever there is conflict or division.

Emptied

Diego Velazquez, 1599-1660
Cristo crucificado
oil on canvas, ca.1632
Museo del Prado, Madrid

[Christ Jesus] emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:7-8

Empty myself of worry, fear, complaints, arrogance, ingratitude, prejudice, self-seeking, irresponsibility, greed, indifference, finger-pointing, resentment, the need to be right, the illusion of control.

Today I will look to the Lord when I am bitten by serpents of dissatisfaction, hostility, and pride. I will empty myself of ego, and humbly ask God to bless me with the knowledge of his will for me and grant me the grace and courage to carry it out—even if it means dying on a cross.

Resources for suffering

Martín Ruiz Anglada (1929-2001)
Agnus Dei – Serie Negra, 1995
Expuesto en la 1ª Feria de Arte Contemporáneo de San Sebastián Donostiartean 7-11 agosto 2014.

[Jesus addressed the crowds:] “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

I’ve carried a number of crosses in my life. The cross of grief and loss. The cross of pain. The cross of betrayal. The cross of assault. The cross of unjust treatment.

I am learning that the suffering I experience is an invitation to deeper intimacy with Jesus who knows from his own experience what human suffering is all about. I am learning to draw on the resources God has given me to help with the mission of Christ: love, goodness, peace, compassion, forgiveness, and mindful attention to the needs of others. I am learning to keep my heart and mind open to welcome the sustaining power of God’s counsel, wisdom, and kindness in each moment.

Today—no matter what cross I am bearing—I will trust the Lord’s intention is to lead me to deeper spiritual healing.

Holy solitude

Leopold Carl Müller (1834–1892)
Morning Prayer of a Bedouin

An attentive ear is the joy of the wise.
Sirach 3:29b

To humble myself is to seek the holy solitude of God’s presence. In this way I learn finally the true identity of myself and all people: We are the beloved of God.

Today I will cultivate an attentive inner silence to open my mind, heart, and ears to hear and welcome God’s love.

Spiritual strength

James Tissot (1836-1902)
The First Shall Be Last (Le premier sera le dernier)
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper 1886–1896
Brooklyn Museum

Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”
Luke 13:23-24

It takes mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual strength to walk the way Jesus has shown me: To intentionally treat all people with respect and kindness, to embody peace, to seek unity instead of division, to forgive those who have hurt me, to pray for my enemies, to help those who are suffering and in need.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen me to follow the straight path of love, compassion, and peace in every circumstance.

Fire of love

Kalki
Heart of Fire February 25, 2017

Surely, I wait for the LORD; who bends down to me and hears my cry. Psalm 40:2

God always respects my boundaries, but when I invite God into my heart and life, the fire of God’s compassion and healing transforms me. I have learned to wait in sure trust for God’s guidance to lead me where I need to go.

Today I will invite God to light the fire of love, forgiveness, and peace in my heart.

Faith practice

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Luke 12:34

I breathe in God with every inhalation and I surrender to God’s love with each exhalation. I have been made for this intimate communion, this eternal cycle of receiving and giving love. I am at home in the heart of God.

Today I will choose God as my treasure. I will practice faith by opening my heart to God’s infinite presence, kindness, and love.