![Leopold Müller [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morning_Prayer_of_Bedaween_(1878)_-_TIMEA.jpg)
MORNING PRAYER
Leopold Müller [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
[Jesus said,] “For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11
Humble of heart
Tag Archives: Lectio Divina
Widen the gate
In every corner of the world, people love and serve God and their neighbor each day. I don’t know all of them—how could I? only God does. But I do know their faith, humility, compassion, generosity, and respect for all human life widens the narrow gate and makes it easier for me to follow where they lead.
[Jesus answered them,] “And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.” Luke 13:29
Be a little fire
Luke 12:49-53
Love God, self, and neighbor.
Respect all people.
Give abundantly to those in need.
Forgive with an open heart.
Walk the path of nonviolence.
Seek opportunities to serve.
Bring healing with my words, attitudes, and actions.
Be a little fire to light and warm the Way of Jesus.
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” Luke 12:49
Found treasure
![Emblems, divine and moral : The school of the heart; and Hieroglyphics of the life of man, 1866 By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emblems,_divine_and_moral_-_The_school_of_the_heart;_and_Hieroglyphics_of_the_life_of_man_(1866)_(14568605428).jpg)
Emblems, divine and moral : The school of the heart; and Hieroglyphics of the life of man, 1866
By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons
Our treasure is scattered when we become self-engrossed, careless of the needs of others, and hostile towards those whose opinions and lifestyles are different from ours.
Our treasure is found right where we are, moment-to-moment.
Today I will practice choosing love over self-centeredness.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Luke 12:32-34
Let go of greed
I struggle with my obsession to have on hand an over-abundance of cat food to tempt finicky feline appetites, extra rolls of paper towels and unopened boxes of tissues, and a stash of chocolate in case my cookie supply runs out.
Holding on to material goods is a form of greed. It reflects a deeper issue: a lack of faith that my needs—physical and spiritual—are in God’s capable charge.
Today I will remember to turn to the Source of Life when I worry about not having enough. And I will open my hands and heart to find someone with whom I can share my plenty.
Then [Jesus] told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’” Luke 12:16-17
The door to holiness
Ask to know God’s will. Seek to imitate Jesus. Be insistent on embodying compassion, forgiveness, generosity, reconciliation, nonviolence, and love.
You will receive God’s guidance. You will find the path to freedom. The door to holiness will be opened to you.
[Jesus said to them,] “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9
A serving of attention
Johannes Vermeer, 1632-1675
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary
oil on canvas, between ca.1654 and ca.1656
Scottish National Gallery
Today I will welcome the Lord. I will offer him the hospitality of my heart and sit at his feet to listen to and learn from him. I will serve him with my attention.
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Luke 10:38-39
Empowered to love
Gustave Doré (1832-1883)
The Fall of Satan
Illustration for John Milton’s “Paradise Lost“
engraving, 1866
God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to practice patience with those who aggravate me, visit someone who is lonely or ill, give food and clothing to those in need.
God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to say no to injustice, speak out against racism and prejudice, practice simple living in a society where money and possessions have become more important than integrity, humility, and kindness.
God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to be a willing servant of God’s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness as I go about my daily responsibilities.
Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:18-20
Coming home
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James Tissot (1836-1902)
Il allait par les villages en route pour Jérusalem
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum
Jesus enters into the lives of the people to teach us about the love of God, to touch us with healing compassion, to walk with us in our suffering.
Every encounter I have with Jesus is like coming home. For that time, I can rest. I let go of conflict, obsession, worry, and grief. From these moments of respite, I gather courage and strength and willingness to follow the example of the Compassion of God in my interactions with others.
As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Luke 9:57-58
A holy reminder
I do my best to keep the word of Jesus: to love my neighbor, pray for my enemies, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the ill, welcome those I don’t know, forgive those who hurt me.
And when I forget, the Holy Spirit nudges me—a gentle tug at my heart, maybe, or it could be a spotlight shining on my selfishness. The Holy Spirit’s nudges show me the way to holy wholeness where I become a collaborator in the community of Love.
[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.” John 14:26
Mary Ann McSweeny 