By Gunnar Bach Pedersen (Own work (Own photo)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Can God trust me with this holy mission?
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17
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
Berger afar en pied
Marion Lavabre, 2009
Today I will listen for the voice of the Lord in sacred Scripture, in the quiet of alone time, in the rhythm of nature.
I will let the love and compassion of the Lord’s voice drown out the voices of fear and doubt that attempt to lure me from the peace of God’s presence.
The shepherd… walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. John 10:4
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
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
A.N. Mironov (b.1975)
Christ and the pauper. Healing of the blind man.
Oil on canvas, 2009.
I know I am blind to many of my faults and weaknesses—and sometimes to my gifts and talents, too.
Today I will trust the man called Jesus and ask him to anoint the eyes of my heart so that I may see myself in the light of God’s love and acceptance. I will trust the man called Jesus to heal all that prevents me from being a true servant of God’s love and goodness in the world.
[The man born blind] replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” John 9:11
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James Tissot (1836-1902)
La Samaritaine à la fontaine
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum
The disciples of Jesus left him behind in their search for food, while the woman of Samaria approached him in her search for water. She was blessed by awakening to the presence of the Christ, while the disciples ended up distracted by annoyance and negative judgment at Jesus’ lack of propriety.
Today I will approach the Lord in times of loneliness, fear, sadness, and emptiness instead of being distracted by the things of the world.
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. (John 4:7-8)
El Greco (1541-1614)
San Juan Bautisto
oil on canvas, between ca.1600 and ca.1605
Museu de Belles Arts de València
Today I will join John the Baptist in announcing the presence of Jesus by letting love illuminate and transform my words, thoughts, and actions.
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
Three in One, One in Three,
I humbly ask to be
In your Community
of Love.
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” John 16:12-13a
Mary Ann McSweeny 