Tag Archives: Lent

Untie the bonds of fear

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James Tissot (1836-1902)
La résurrection de Lazare
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1896 and 1904
Brooklyn Museum

So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” John 11:44

The Spirit of God dwells in us to guide us on the way to life and freedom. The way is mercy, humility, trust in God’s will, and faith in the power of love and compassion. We have the power within us to choose life and be freed from all that hinders us from claiming our birthright as beloved children of God.

Today I will ask the Spirit of God in me to remove the stones that close me off from love. I will ask the Spirit to help me untie the bonds of fear, indifference, and low self-esteem that prevent me from revealing my true nature of love and goodness in the world.

Love with the eyes and heart of God

Jesus cures the man born blind
John 9:1-41

But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

With God as our shepherd, the light of Jesus to illuminate our way, and the Spirit of God to fill us with faith, we have all we need to bring the light of kindness, compassion, reconciliation, and hope to everyone we encounter. We are blessed to participate in carrying out God’s vision of a world where love dissolves the darkness of greed, power struggles, poverty, trauma, grief, and loneliness.

Today I will ask for the grace to see as God sees. I will ask Jesus to heal anything and everything that prevents me from seeing and treating all people as precious, beloved children of God. I will ask the Spirit of God to help me shine the light of love everywhere I may be.

Hear for yourself

Frank Wesley (1923-2022)
Woman at the Well

When the Samaritans came to [Jesus], they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”
John 4:40-42

Jesus is always in our midst, calling us to open our ears and minds and hearts to hear his voice. We need to listen as he humbly submits to the will of God. We need to listen as he teaches us to forgive those who hurt us, to feed those who are hungry, to welcome those who are lost, lonely, afraid, and far from home. We need to let go of any hardness of heart, any rigid judgments, and any fears that prevent us from internalizing Jesus’s words of mercy, reconciliation, and peace.

Today I will read the Word of God and hear for myself the teaching of Jesus. I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me align my mind, heart, and will with those of Jesus. I will take action in one small, concrete way to show I have heard the Lord’s call to love my neighbor.

Listen to Jesus

Unknown artist
The Saviour’s Transfiguration
Icon, ca.1403
Moscow, Tretyakov Gallery

[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

Of all the voices demanding my attention, I need to listen for the voice of Jesus, the voice of kindness, healing, hope, mercy, justice, and nonviolence—and align my attitudes, behaviors, words, and actions with his command to love.

Today I will listen to the voice of Jesus and find ways to help those who are hungry, homeless, ill, and treated with inhumanity and injustice. I will bear hardship if necessary in order to follow where the Lord’s voice leads me.

Going God’s Way

Attributed to Jan Mostaert (circa 1475–1555/1556)
The Temptation in the Wilderness
Oil on panel

The tempter approached and said to [Jesus],
“If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” Matthew 4:3

There are so many people and voices that try to influence me. Some are attractive but seductive. They tempt me to reject my true nature of goodness and love.

I am learning to compare what I hear and see with what Jesus teaches me, and to choose the way of the Lord: to follow God’s will of love and compassion, to find concrete ways to support the hungry, the lonely, the homeless, and those who are being treated inhumanely—and to eliminate indifference, harmful speech, and injustice in my interactions with others.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me resist the temptation to go my own way. I will ask for the grace to align my mind, heart, and will with God’s, that I may be a kind, merciful, welcoming, and generous presence to all people.

Ego-emptying

Wheat and Sky

Jesus answered them, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” John 12:26

To serve the Lord, I must empty myself of anything and everything that prevents me from following him on the Way of love, forgiveness, mercy, and kindness.

Lord, create in me a pure heart that I may let go of ego and serve you and my neighbors without fear.

The gift of grace

Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) Jesus and Nicodemus, 1899

For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;
it is not from works, so no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

There are no rewards, only gifts. Everything we receive from God is a gift of grace.

Today I will intentionally turn toward the light of God’s rich love and mercy for guidance in the choices I make, the words I speak, and the works I do.

Power and wisdom

[We proclaim] Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1: 24b-25

The power and wisdom of God is Love.

Today I will intentionally live in and from God’s heart of unconditional love. I will be kind, encouraging, compassionate, and peaceful and bless everyone near and far, known and unknown.

Transformed by gratitude

Linda McCray
Transfiguration
acrylic & sand from the River Jordan and Montana
on floating wood panel

To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116:17

Giving thanks to the Lord transforms me from being self-centered to being God-centered. Calling on the name of the Lord reminds me Who is in charge.

Today I will cultivate a practice of giving thanks to God for everything, the pleasant and the difficult. I will call on the Lord to guide me into the healing light of compassion.

In the heart of God

Briton Rivière (1840–1920)
The Temptation in the Wilderness
oil on canvas, 1898
Guildhall Art Gallery

At once Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
Mark 1:12-13

The desert gives me space to examine my life and refuse the temptations of despair and indifference. The desert gives me space to release the wild beasts of fear and arrogance. The desert gives me space to put my hope in the Lord and welcome God’s angel messengers who care for me so generously.

Today I will go where the Spirit leads me. With love and trust, I will step into the heart of God and live from that holy place.

Greg Boyle, SJ speaks about living in the heart of God – Ash Wednesday 2024.