[Jesus said,] “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27c
Every day brings events and situations that tempt me to let my heart be troubled and afraid.
Today I will remember I have a choice: I can let the temptation to be afraid overtake me, or I can trust in the Lord’s peace and refuse fear. The Holy Spirit will remind me and teach me how to choose peace.
Lord, lead me not into the temptation of fear. Open my heart to accept your peace.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you? 1 Corinthians 6:19
May I remember that, whatever our differences may be, we each house God’s Spirit of goodness and love.
May I honor the temple of the Holy Spirit— mine or others’—with respect, kindness, peace, forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and compassion.
Rip Caswell (b.1962)
Baptism of Christ
May the Lord bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11b
Today may we be blessed with
trust in God’s unfailing presence,
confidence in God’s love and patience,
comfort in God’s peace.
“Tame” does not describe the Holy Spirit. Be prepared to be surprised, overwhelmed, consumed, humbled, delighted by the movement of the Spirit in your life.
And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:2-4a
We are in the Presence of God, now, in this moment. May I remember to call on the Holy Spirit to think, live, and speak for and through me to bring the love and peace of God to the world.
[Jesus said to his disciples:] “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:25-27
We are called by our baptism to remember each member of our human family is beloved of God.
It is our lifework to offer compassion to the suffering, forgiveness to those who have hurt us, and comfort to those who are grieving and burdened with the stresses that arise in life.
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1
JESUS MAFA. Pentecost, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved May 20, 2018]. Original source: Librairie de l’Emmanuel
May the language I choose always express God’s Spirit of love and compassion.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Acts 2:4-6
ESUS MAFA. The poor invited to the feast, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved October 15, 2017].
Today I will ask God’s Holy Spirit to help me find the right garment for this celebration. Kindness. Compassion. Mercy. Generosity. Peace. Nonviolence. Welcome. Joy.
[Jesus said,] “The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?'” Matthew 22:12a
The power of wind and fire is within each breath I take. This is the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.
How will I make use of the power of the Spirit in me today? How can I help fulfill the Lord’s vision of peace and unity and love among all people?
And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:2-4
Simone Cantarini, 1612-1648
Holy Trinity, 17th c.
Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil
God’s Holy Spirit lives and breathes with, in, and through us. We are in the Lord, the Lord is in us. We are dependent upon the Lord, and the Lord depends on us to be the eyes and ears and hands and hearts of God’s love and compassion in the world.
[Jesus said to his disciples,] “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” John 14:20
Mary Ann McSweeny 