Tag Archives: Gospel of John

Do good

Jesus said to his disciples, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31

As a follower of Jesus, I do my best to do as he teaches and as he shows me by his own example. I do my best to treat others with kindness, respect, and courtesy. I do my best to listen and encourage others, to be present to others who are suffering, to embody patience, compassion, forgiveness.

These practices take all my energy. Sometimes I fail at them. But I keep working at it because I know Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

Today I will remember that every person is a beloved child of God. I will do my best to love the people I consider “enemies” and do good to them.

Grow in love

Father George Saget
Mural, 1963
Altar of Keur Moussa Abbey

His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5

As servers of the Lord, it is our privilege to help carry out his mission of love and healing.

Jesus tells us to love God—and our neighbor as ourselves. And so we must find ways to love each other. Love is kind and welcoming. Love is generous and forgiving. Love is open-handed and vulnerable. Love is helping each other through difficult times by listening, encouraging, and sharing what we have.

Today I will make good use of the gifts the Spirit has given me to do what Jesus has told me to do. I will participate in the miracle of love’s healing power.

Love is the Truth

Ge, N. N. (Nikolaĭ Nikolaevich), 1831-1894
“What is truth?” Christ and Pilate
Tretyakov Gallery

[Jesus answered,] “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” John 18:37

The truth: God created us out of an almighty, everlasting love that is and was and is to come. There is no beginning and no end to God’s love. We dwell in God’s love in this very moment and always will.

Today I will testify to God’s love by loving my neighbor as myself.

Being led to the light

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. Psalm 34:19

It has been a long week of pain, panic, and distress. With gratitude, I remember the kind people who are praying for me. And I also remember that Jesus knows the truth of human suffering and is walking with me, guiding me through this dark tunnel to the light at the other end.

Today I will trust the Holy One of God is leading me to new life.

Forsake foolishness

Seven Pillars of Wisdom at Wadi Rum
seen from the road between the vistors’ center and Rum village
By Daniel Case [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. Ephesians 5:15-17

Jesus teaches that it is God’s will that I love my neighbor as myself, forgive those who hurt me, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger. If I ignore Jesus and refuse to feed on his word and example, I am indeed foolish.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to fill me the wisdom and courage to embody God’s will of love and humble service.

Bless us, O Lord

Walter Gay (1856-1937)
The Blessing, 1888
Musée de Picardie

And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32

Jesus, the bread of life, nourishes me with his example of loving service so that I become more like him in kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

Today I will give thanks to the One who feeds me on the Way of peace, reconciliation, and love.

Believe and be fed

James Tissot (1836-1902)
The Gathering of the Manna
(La récolte de la manne)
gouache on board, c. 1896-1902
The Jewish Museum

So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” John 6:28-29

To follow the Way of Jesus Christ, to practice forgiveness, compassion, healing, and awareness of the needs of others, to surrender to the will of God: this is the work I am called to accomplish every day.

Today I will nourish myself with the Word of God and believe that Jesus was sent from God to show me how to live, love, and do the works of God.

Feed one another

JESUS MAFA. Jesus multiplies the loaves and fish, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

[L]ive 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 4:1-3

Let us not waste any opportunity to treat all people with reverence. Let us feed each other with kindness and gentleness. Let us share peaceful words and be unified in God’s Spirit of love and mercy.

Today I will feed myself, my family, friends, and everyone I encounter with patience and kindness.

Receive and give

Holger Schué

Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22

From the Risen Lord’s own breath, we receive the Holy Spirit: our breath mingling with God’s in an eternal communion of give and receive, receive and give.

Today I will receive the gifts and talents I have been given with gratitude and use one of them to benefit someone in need.

One

Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.” John 17:11b

Let us be One
in kindness
in compassion
in nonviolence
in peace
in love.

Today I will remember we are all One in God. I will let God’s love and peace move in and through me to bless everyone I encounter.