Gustave Doré (1832-1883)
Jesus Walks on the Sea
between 1866 and 1870
When the winds of pain, stress, and anxiety blow strong, I tend to lose sight of love and goodness and sink into despair.
Today I will take time alone to pray. I will entrust my troubles to the Lord, and accept the healing of the Lord’s eternal patience, compassion, and presence.
[Jesus] went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Matthew 14:23
James Tissot (1836-1902)
Le semeur
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum
All people, including me, no matter what’s going on in the world, are in the tender, compassionate, comforting care of God.
Today I thank God for taking care of me.
There is no god besides you who have the care of all. Wisdom 12:13
Charles Cousen (1819-1889)
Engraving after R. Beavis
The heaviest part of today’s burden is not the migraine. It is the negative self-judgment. I am disappointed in my physical frailty and inability to do all that needs to be done.
But I can handle my most pressing need: to take time to partner with the One who is eager to give me rest. It is enough, it is more than enough, it is my calling to let the Lord teach me God’s care and compassion.
[Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Pieter Breugel the Elder (between 1526-1530 – 1569)
Caritas (Charity) – The Seven Acts of Mercy – Detail of the Feeding of the Hungry
pen in brown ink, 1559
Hungry.
For love. Compassion. Peace. Kindness. Generosity. Forgiveness. Understanding. Acceptance. Encouragement. Companionship. Hope. Meaning. Purpose. Rest.
Today I ask the One who is the bread of life to feed me. And I pray for the grace to share what I am freely given with everyone I encounter.
[Jesus said,] “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:57-58
Chris Cook, b.1962
Men of Galilee
Acrylic on canvas
Love, forgiveness, compassion, nonviolence, prayer, generosity, service to the poor… does my life witness teach others these commands of the Lord?
Today I will remember Jesus is with me and ask for the courage to embody his commands. I will look to others to be my teachers, too, so that I may become more skilled in the ways of the Lord.
Then Jesus approached and said to them, “…[teach] them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18a, 20a
Simone Cantarini, 1612-1648
Holy Trinity, 17th c.
Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil
God’s Holy Spirit lives and breathes with, in, and through us. We are in the Lord, the Lord is in us. We are dependent upon the Lord, and the Lord depends on us to be the eyes and ears and hands and hearts of God’s love and compassion in the world.
[Jesus said to his disciples,] “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” John 14:20
Jacek Andrzej Rossakiewicz, 1956-2016
The Prayer of Jesus
oil on canvas, 1990
Faith to walk the way of peace and nonviolence and forgiveness.
Faith to be guided by the truth of our common humanity that demands generosity towards the poor and compassion for the suffering.
Faith to choose life with, in, and from the healing power of love.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” John 14:1
Guercino, 1591-1666
Doubting Thomas
oil on canvas, 1st half 17th c.
Salzburg, Residenzgalerie
May I have the faith to unlock my heart to receive the gift of the Lord’s peace.
And may I carry the message of the Lord’s peace wherever I go today.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” John 19:26b
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Margret Hofheinz-Döring, 1910-1994
Fußwaschung
Linolschnitt – Handabzug, 1932
Let me listen to God’s silence during this Holy Week.
Let me empty myself of worry, negativity, resentment, indifference, fear, and self-seeking.
Let me be filled with God’s love, peace, and compassion.
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself. Philippians 2:6-7a
Today I ask the Lord to open the tomb of my heart and help me untie and let go of all that keeps me dead to my sisters and brothers in our human family: self-centeredness, resentment, blame, negative judgment, prejudice, indifference, scorn, comparisons, greed, fear.
I ask the Lord to grace me with a new life based in the freedom of love, peace, compassion, generosity, and forgiveness.
So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” John 11:44b
Mary Ann McSweeny 