[We proclaim] Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1: 24b-25
The power and wisdom of God is Love.
Today I will intentionally live in and from God’s heart of unconditional love. I will be kind, encouraging, compassionate, and peaceful and bless everyone near and far, known and unknown.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” John 1:38
When I call myself a follower of Jesus, I am looking to be more like him in kindness, patience, nonviolence, forgiveness, compassion. I am looking to be more like him in following God’s will even when it doesn’t seem to make sense, being aware of the needs of others, helping the ill, the lonely, the discouraged.
Today I will take time in quiet prayer to consider what I am looking for as I follow Jesus. I will ask for the grace to be more like him in my interactions with others.
Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
Kindness is good. Patience is good. Respect for all people is good. Forgiveness is good. Giving thanks is good. Compassion is good.
God’s love for us is good and calls us to turn away from the dark to embrace the light.
Today I will seek the light of Christ to help me embody goodness with my words, actions, and behaviors.
Moses said, “Do not forget the LORD, your God.” Deuteronomy 8:14b
We are always in the presence of God. We commit ourselves to remember the Lord no matter what is happening in our life, our family, or our world, to thank him for his gifts, and to call on him for all our needs.
Today I will start and end my day with an Our Father for peace and unity in our world. I will say grace before each meal and remember I am one part of the Body of Christ.
Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
Every day we are welcomed into the harmonic power of the Holy Trinity, a united community whose unfailing vision for our world is love and peace.
Today I will unite myself with the power of the Holy Trinity and help carry out God’s vision of love and peace by intentionally treating all people with respect and compassion.
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
We work together in harmony to bring about God’s vision of love and peace for humankind. We are not in competition. We are each a part of the body of Christ, given the Holy Spirit in order to serve God’s human family.
Today I will reflect on the spiritual gifts I have been given. I will ask the Holy Spirit to show me how best to use these gifts to bring peace, harmony, and love to the world.
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Jesus said, “I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” John 14:20
In Christ we are intimately entwined with God. There is no separation.
Today I will take joy in the gift of the Spirit of truth that helps me remember we are in Christ and Christ is in us. I will intentionally treat all people with deep reverence.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6
Jesus is the way of love, kindness, compassion, justice, patience, nonviolence, forgiveness, reconciliation, healing. To have life means I am in this truth.
Today I will intentionally follow the way of Jesus in all my interactions.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage. Psalm 23:4
At this time in history, we are walking in a dark valley of cosmic panic, trauma, and grief. But we are not alone. The Lord is always with us.
When loud voices bombard us with messages of distress, despair, and doom, we must take time to get quiet and listen deeply in our hearts to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd, the One whose voice calms us and gives us hope and courage.
Today I will remember I am always in the presence of the Good Shepherd. I will remind myself I have nothing to fear.
Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19
It can be hard to believe that the peace of God is ours, a gift freely bestowed on us. All we have to do is receive it – the peace of kindness, the peace of compassion, the peace of generosity, the peace of deep listening, the peace of forgiveness, the peace of reconciliation, the peace of hope.
Today I surrender to the grace of God’s will that I receive the Lord’s peace in my heart and life. I open my heart and hands to let that peace bless everyone and every situation.
Mary Ann McSweeny 