![View of Wildflowers, Fields, and Lake Kinnaret (Sea of Galilee) By Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_of_Wildflowers,_Fields,_and_Lake_Kinnaret_(Sea_of_Galilee)_-_Israel_(5710715820).jpg)
View of Wildflowers, Fields, and Lake Kinnaret (Sea of Galilee)
By Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
[Jesus said to his disciples:] “Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?” Matthew 6:27
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Daniel Chodowiecki (1726 – 1801)
Betende Frau mit Rosenkranz, 1773
God has the power to heal the wounds and divisions in my life and in our world. Today I will collaborate with the Lord by praying for those I find difficult to love or respect, and those I fear or resent.
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5: 43-45)
We are made in the image of God’s love and goodness. When we shine love and goodness into the world, the light of God chases away the darkness.
A kind word. Respectful listening. A visit to someone who is lonely. Gratitude. A smile. Comfort. A peaceful presence.
Every tiny bit of love and goodness we shine brings light and healing to our broken world.
[Jesus said to his disciples:] “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16
![The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7 JESUS MAFA. The Sermon on the Mount, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48284 [retrieved January 29, 2017].](https://maryannmcsweeny.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/mafa015-medium.jpg?w=300&h=201)
JESUS MAFA. The Sermon on the Mount, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved January 29, 2017].
Now is the time to put nonviolence into practice, to trust love is more powerful than aggression, blame, and division.
Now is the time to bring compassion and mercy to all who are broken, and to all that is broken in our world.
[Jesus taught them,] “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy… Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:7, 9
St. Peter’s Church, Kilmore Quay,
County Wexford, Ireland
photograph by Andreas F. Borchert
Every day the Lord says to me, “This is my way: Love your neighbor. Forgive your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Give to the one who asks of you. Feed the hungry. Take care of the poor, homeless, imprisoned, and vulnerable. Let your light shine for all to see. Come after me.”
How quick am I to leave my old habits and attitudes and behaviors to follow him?
[Jesus] said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:19-20
JESUS MAFA. Visit of the Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved January 8, 2017]
Go gently, intentionally in the presence of God.
On entering the house [the magi] saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Matthew 2:11
God is with us, God is in charge, God’s vision still has its time. Do not be afraid.
[The angel of the Lord said, “Mary] will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 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 1:21-23
As my paycheck seems to leave less and less for extras, my belongings are becoming more and more shabby. I fantasize about the shame of having my baggy, well-worn wool sweater chosen as the ugliest in a competition.
Jesus reminds me that fine clothing doesn’t make a prophet. Nor do power, riches, and fame. A prophet is shaped by hearing the Word of God and practicing the Way of love, peace, nonviolence, forgiveness, compassion, acceptance, and respect. A prophet stands firmly grounded in the truth of God’s love for all of humankind.
Today I will look for opportunities to love my neighbor. I will do my best to be a prophet by sharing God’s gifts of joy and kindness.
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.”
Matthew 11:7-9
Listen, welcome, encourage. Show respect, courtesy, attention. Practice patience, nonjudgment, nonviolence. Give time, energy, goods. Seek wisdom, peace, the will of God. Be love.
[Jesus said to his disciples,] “So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Matthew 24:44
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Gary might not have been a saint, but he was most assuredly a prophet. He vigorously and decisively pointed the way to more dignified and respectful treatment of those under a doctor’s care, those living in nursing homes, those with terminal illnesses.
I mourn the passing of his forthright energy from our world so in need of advocates for the vulnerable, but not the passing of his Spirit from a body that could no longer contain it.
[Jesus began to teach them, saying,] “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Mary Ann McSweeny 