Tag Archives: Gospel of Matthew

Seeds of love

Millet, Jean François, 1814-1875
The Sower, ca. 1865
black Conté crayon and pastel
on paper
Clark Art Institute Williamstown, MA

Jesus said “But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Matthew 13:23

The word I hear from the Lord is love. I understand love grows from many different seeds: Respect. Kindness. Welcome. Compassion. Encouragement. Attentiveness. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Peace.

Today I will sow seeds of love wherever I am.

Yoked to Jesus

Jesus said “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Yoked to Jesus, I rest from the anxieties, worries, biases, prejudices, and injustice that flow in and around me. Yoked to Jesus, I let go of the burden of needing to have all the answers. Yoked to Jesus, I learn to be humble and teachable, and I move in the light and grace of the Lord’s unending love.

Today I will yoke myself to Jesus in gratitude and treat all people with mercy, compassion, and kindness.

Welcome God

Northward from Jerusalem. Shunem village.
II Kings 4:8

Jesus said to his apostles, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” Matthew 10:40

May I never ignore or reject anyone. When I welcome you, I welcome God.

Today I will receive all people with kindness and reverence. I will remember to look for God in everyone.

God answers with kindness

Bilal Mirza
House Sparrows in Pakistan

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

God cares about us. God watches over us. God is with us through times of distress, grief, and persecution. God’s grace overflows into our hearts to give us the courage and faith we need in every moment. We have nothing to fear.

Today I will pray to the Lord for guidance in every situation and know that he will answer me with kindness and compassion.

Into the heart of the Lord

Frank Scholten (1881-1942)
Herd of sheep, NINO F Scholten Tel Aviv 06: 06

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

When we feel lost and abandoned, troubled and anxious, we need to remember the Lord is our shepherd. He always welcomes us into his heart of compassion and gives us peace.

Today I will receive the Lord’s gift of love and peace with gratitude, and I will freely give to others what I receive from the Lord.

Listen for peace

The Transfiguration – Matthew 17:1-13 JESUS MAFA. Transfiguration, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48307 [retrieved March 5, 2023]

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5

Today I will make a quiet space to listen to the Lord speak trust, peace, love, compassion, and forgiveness in my heart.

Lord, we are all your beloved sons and daughters. Help me to treat myself and others with kindness and respect.

Focus on God

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Jésus tenté dans le désert
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper,
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Matthew 4:10

I give power to whatever I focus on. Today I will serve the Lord by putting my attention on God, especially when I am tempted to dwell on pain, fatigue, heartache, problems in my family, financial issues, or the many distressing events in our world.

Lord, you are love. Thank you for welcoming me into your holy presence.

Kindness and mercy

Mount of the Beatitudes

Jesus said to his disciples, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

The Lord doesn’t call me to seek out harmful situations, but life experiences of unjust treatment, rejection, or abuse do happen. I must cultivate a practice of letting go of the pain, fear, and grief caused by people or events that are out of my control and ask God to bless everyone I find hard to love.

Today I will immerse myself in God’s kindness and mercy. I will ask God to open my heart so that I may in my turn release the kindness and mercy I receive from God into the world.

Lord, bless all the people I resent and help me to forgive them. Bless all those who resent me, too, as I am not always kind, merciful, or loving in my treatment of others.

Look into the depths

Mount of the Beatitudes

For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinithians 2:10b

God’s Holy Spirit leads me to scrutinize my words, actions, behaviors, and attitudes to discern where I have loved and where I have neglected to love.

Today I will spend quiet time alone and ask the Spirit to open my mind and heart to receive God’s love, to help me choose justice, generosity, forgiveness, and compassion in my interactions—and to be accountable for how I treat myself and others.

Lord, help me trust and practice your law of love today.

To-do list

Mount of Beatitudes

Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Isaiah 58:7

Sometimes I just don’t know how to help. There are so many people in need.

But the Lord gives me a simple to-do list. Share my food and clothing. Find a way to help those without homes and those who are suffering unjust, inhumane treatment. Honor and respect all people. Make my home an oasis of kindness and welcome.

Today I will shine the light of love and compassion in my corner of the world. I will refuse to be indifferent to any of God’s children.