Tag Archives: Gospel of Matthew

Follow the Light

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El Greco (1541-1614)
Adoration of the Magi with Camels
oil on panel, ca.1568-69
Mexico City, Museo Soumayo

And behold, the star that [the magi] had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Matthew 2:9-11

In a world fragmented by war, violence, injustice, and greed, Jesus is the universal, guiding light. He shows us the way of peace grounded in compassion, forgiveness, harmony, and generosity. With Jesus to guide us, we learn to love our families more deeply, teach our children to be kind and respectful, honor all people with courtesy and acceptance, donate goods and time to food pantries and homeless shelters, visit the lonely, and support refugees, the vulnerable, the elderly, and those who are ill.

Today I will let my light of goodness and love reveal a glimpse of God-among-us to every person I encounter.

Leaving the familiar behind

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Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1859 – 1937
Flight into Egypt
oil on wood panel, ca.1916
National Museum of African American History and Culture

When [the magi] had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. Matthew 2:13-14

Sometimes God calls us to leave behind our home, our community, our traditions, our roots, our habits, our attachments and go to where we can be in harmony with God’s will that we live in love and peace. It is a daunting adventure to leave everything familiar behind and hope we will find a haven where we can grow and flourish in mind, body, and spirit.

Today I will trust the Lord when God calls me to move beyond the familiar into the unknown. Aware that others, too, must find the courage to face life’s challenges, I will treat all people with kindness, patience, and gentleness.

Grace and peace

Fourth Sunday of Advent

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:22-23

God is with us. God is with us. God is with us.

There is nothing to fear. We can let go of anxiety, worry, distress, shame, negativity, blame. Jesus has come to make us whole in trust, love, compassion, mercy, grace, and peace.

Today I will open my heart to let the holiness of the Spirit within show me how to love myself and my neighbor.

Love is patient

Third Sunday of Advent

You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8

We need not look any further: the Lord is at hand in our hearts, in every person, every plant, every animal, every raindrop, every snowflake, every sunset. There is no need to be afraid. We are always in the heart of God.

Today I will be patient with myself and others as I cultivate the precious fruit of love for God and my neighbor.

In harmony

Second Sunday of Advent

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide. Isaiah 11:3

When we welcome and accept people of all cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles without being influenced by others’ opinions, when we balance justice with mercy and are faithful to God’s command to love our neighbor, then we will bear the good fruit of harmony and fullness of peace that is God’s vision for our world.

Today I will ask God for a spirit of wisdom and understanding and a heart of kindness and compassion. May I do my part to fill my little corner of the world with the knowledge of the Lord and help heal the harm caused by fear, conflict, aggression, and division.

Light my way, Lord

First Sunday of Advent
First Sunday of Advent

“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” Isaiah 2:3

The climb up the mountain to the house of the Lord demands perseverance, courage, and trust. The love, example, and presence of Jesus prepare, instruct, and sustain us as we make a commitment to walk in the paths of peace, justice, healing, forgiveness, nonviolence, and compassion.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to bring the healing light of compassionate love to all the dark places in my mind and heart that impede or prevent me from walking in the paths of the Lord.

Led by the Spirit

Holy Trinity, 17th c.
Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil

For those who are led by the Spirit are children of God. Romans 8:14

The Spirit leads us to trust the goodness of our hearts, to look for the face of God in all people, to treat each member of God’s human family with loving kindness, to listen to others with patience and understanding, to breathe peace into every situation.

Today with child-like faith I will let the Spirit lead me into God’s heart of compassion and wisdom.

A gift for you

JESUS MAFA. Visit of the Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48292 [retrieved January 7, 2024].

The Magi opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

We carry so many gifts in us. Kindness. Hospitality. Respect. Creativity. Forgiveness. Generosity. Good humor. Helpfulness. Love.

Whenever we offer our gifts to others, we offer them to the Lord.

Today I will open the treasure of my heart and share one of my gifts with someone in need.

Honor Christ in each other

Montreal Soup Kitchen, 1931

“‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'”Matthew 25:37-30

Today I will bring a little food to the food pantry, smile a welcome to someone I don’t know, write a note someone who is ill or troubled—and honor Christ in each precious person.

Christ light

Rembrandt (1606-1669)
La parabole des talents

For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Our light is the Christ, the light of goodness, the light of love, the light of compassion, the light of mercy, the light of forgiveness, the light of healing.

Today I will shine my light of goodness and love wherever I find myself.