Today I ask the Lord to open the tomb of my heart and help me untie and let go of all that keeps me dead to my sisters and brothers in our human family: self-centeredness, resentment, blame, negative judgment, prejudice, indifference, scorn, comparisons, greed, fear.
I ask the Lord to grace me with a new life based in the freedom of love, peace, compassion, generosity, and forgiveness.
So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” John 11:44b
A.N. Mironov (b.1975)
Christ and the pauper. Healing of the blind man.
Oil on canvas, 2009.
I know I am blind to many of my faults and weaknesses—and sometimes to my gifts and talents, too.
Today I will trust the man called Jesus and ask him to anoint the eyes of my heart so that I may see myself in the light of God’s love and acceptance. I will trust the man called Jesus to heal all that prevents me from being a true servant of God’s love and goodness in the world.
[The man born blind] replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” John 9:11
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James Tissot (1836-1902)
La Samaritaine à la fontaine
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum
The disciples of Jesus left him behind in their search for food, while the woman of Samaria approached him in her search for water. She was blessed by awakening to the presence of the Christ, while the disciples ended up distracted by annoyance and negative judgment at Jesus’ lack of propriety.
Today I will approach the Lord in times of loneliness, fear, sadness, and emptiness instead of being distracted by the things of the world.
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. (John 4:7-8)
Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov (1806-1858)
Преображение, 1824
When I listen to the Word of God, what do I hear?
Peace.
Do not be afraid.
Love God and your neighbor and yourself.
Welcome strangers.
Feed the hungry.
Shelter the homeless.
Do not worry about tomorrow.
Forgive your enemies.
Today I will listen to the Lord and be transfigured into a brighter image of God’s love and goodness, kindness and compassion.
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5
Augustin Hirschvogel (1503-1553)
Temptation of Christ
When I am hungry, angry, tired, lonely, afraid, or in pain, I tend to be short on patience, compassion, and forbearance. I am tempted to snap at others, wallow in discouragement, and forget my call to treat all of God’s people with respect.
Jesus shows me how to turn temptation into contemplation of God’s Word, and to let God’s vision of love triumph over a moment’s satisfaction.
[Jesus] fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” Matthew 4:2-3
![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)
Sunrise coast La Palma
Luc Viatour / www.Lucnix.be
The Holy Spirit is our trusted guide as we, with reverence, approach the mystery that surrounds, enfolds, and gives meaning and purpose to the relationship between the natural world, our communities, and all of humankind.
For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
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
Mary Ann McSweeny 