Tag Archives: Gospel of Luke

All shall be well

The Wasp, September 31, 1882
political cartoon, San Francisco, California,
depicting San Francisco landlords as vampire bats squeezing the rent out of tenants,
enjoying a fine meal, then being taken by death
and thrown into hell.

Then [Jesus] said to the crowd,  “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Luke 12:15

When I consider my modest take-home pay and the food, rent, utilities, medical, and car expenses I have, it’s hard not to make money and things the center of my attention. Idols, in fact.

But God’s Holy Spirit — not money or things — is my source for life. Today I choose to put my trust in and my attention on God. All shall be well, however it looks right now.

 

Teach me how

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Le “Pater Noster”
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1

In humility, I acknowledge I do not know how to pray. In humility, I ask the Lord to teach me how. In humility, I let the Lord be my teacher — not only in prayer but also in love of my neighbor, my enemy, the poor, the stranger, the homeless, the prisoner.

Lord, give me the courage to be faithful to your teaching.

 

 

 

Communication

JESUS MAFA. Martha and Mary, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved July 21, 2019]. Original source.

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to [Jesus] and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” Luke 10:40

I often wonder what prevented Martha from asking Mary to help her. Why did Martha speak to her sister through the Lord? Had Martha previously asked Mary for help and Mary had ignored her? What was the relationship between the two sisters?

Today I will examine my relationships and discern where and why I avoid direct communication with others.

 

 

Being neighbor

The Good Samaritan
After William Hogarth (British, London 1697–1764 London)
Etching and engraving, February 24, 1772
Metropolitan Museum of Art

[Jesus replied,] “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
[The scholar] answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:36-37

It’s a directive from the Lord: Treat my neighbor with mercy. That means extending compassion to someone who is suffering; listening when someone needs to talk; visiting someone who is lonely; feeding someone who is hungry.

It’s about noticing others. It’s about paying attention. It’s about letting go of indifference. It’s about taking care of you and me and all of us — precious members of God’s beloved human family.

Follow the Way

For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14

And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”Luke 9:61

What delays me from following the way of Jesus in welcoming, forgiving, loving,  showing compassion to, and living in peace with my neighbor?

Today I will practice awareness of the presence of the Lord in each moment.

In trust

Laura James
Jesus Feeds the 5000

He is trustworthy, our Lord. He welcomes us  and does not reject us. He sees our needs and heals us. He feeds us with love, compassion, and forgiveness.

And he trusts us to do the same for our neighbors.

Today I will imitate the gracious hospitality and all-embracing love of the Lord.

Jesus received the crowds and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. Luke 9:11b

Starting over

Rembrandt (1606-1669)
The Three Crosses
drypoint and burin on paper (III/IV), 1653
Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum

The other [criminal said], “We have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:41-43

It is never too late to take responsibility for my actions, to turn to the Lord and ask for a chance to start again.

God’s abundance

Christian Rohlfs (1849-1938)
Rückkehr des verlorenen Sohnes
Woodcut, 1916

We are in the presence of God at every moment, and everything God has is ours: welcome, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, joy, peace, love without end.

May I give with open hands and heart all that is God’s to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, those I meet today, and those I haven’t yet met.

“[The father] said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.'” Luke 15:31

Cultivate compassion

Many experiences have exhausted my energy, damaged my sense of self-worth, and discouraged me from sharing my gifts and talents. I often feel like the fig tree that struggled to bear fruit.

God’s compassion is revealed through the kind people who don’t give up on me, but support me in times of trouble and help me to find the courage to keep going, to find a way to bear good, loving, peace-filled fruit.

[The gardener] said to him in reply,
‘Sir, leave [the fig tree] for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.” Luke 13:8-9a

How good it is

James Tissot (1836-1902)
La transfiguration
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here.” Luke 9:33b

Let me be aware of the loud, grace-filled silence of the Lord’s presence in every moment, every breath.

How good it is to be here.