Tag Archives: love

Tempted from within

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“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1b-2a

When I am tempted to be afraid… to blame others… to hold on to resentment… to criticize and deride those whose opinions, religions, lifestyles are different from mine… to flirt with self-pity…

… I will call on the Lord for help.

Today I will remember that temptation comes from within. I will ask God’s Spirit to lead me out of the desert of panic, anger, negative judgment, and despair to a place of peace, kindness, compassion, and acceptance.

A store of love and goodness

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“A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good.” Luke6:45a

We have a blessed beginning: we are each made in the image of God’s love and goodness.

May I be willing to be healed of everything that distorts my store of love and goodness: fear, resentment, greed, jealousy, arrogance.

May I uncover the love, forgiveness, generosity, acceptance, and humility that are my birthright and let them flow from me into our fragile world.

Give thanks

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Beit Sahur and Bethlehem. Harvesting.
Between 1898 and 1946

It is good to give thanks to the LORD. Psalm 92:2a

Gratitude lifts me out of self-pity, focuses me on the moment, helps me let go of fear, brings me awareness of God’s limitless kindness and abundant gifts.

Today I will practice gratitude for God’s goodness and generosity and give thanks to the Lord.

With us

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[Jesus said,] “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b

In fear, illness, sorrow, the Lord is with me. In joy, laughter, companionship, the Lord is with me. In loneliness, rejection, suffering, the Lord is with me.

Whatever I experience, wherever I am, the Lord is with me.

Today I will remember the Lord is with me, showing me the path to love and unity.

The Spirit of truth

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Pentecost

[Jesus said,] “But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” John 16:13

The truth is that when I love and treat others with patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, then I am filled with the Spirit of God.

Today I will let God’s Spirit guide me in all my interactions.

Pray in love

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Women in Prayer, 2021

God is love, and whoever abides in love
abides in God and God in him. 1 John 4:16b

I abide in love when I treat others with compassion, patience, and respect. I abide in love when I graciously receive help or kindness from another. I abide in love when I spend quiet time in prayer with the Lord—alone or with others.

Today I will pray to be filled with God’s kindness and patience. I will pray to give and receive love wherever I go.

Simply love

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Helping Hand

Jesus said to his disciples, “This I command you: love one another.” John 15:17

I count 18 instances of the word “love” in today’s readings.

The message is very clear.

Today I choose love in its many forms: listening attentively to others, speaking respectfully to everyone I encounter, helping someone in need, thanking others for their help, treating all people with kindness and courtesy, refraining from gossip and negative criticism, rejoicing in the beauty of creation, spending quiet time alone with the Lord.

Do not be afraid

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Zeynel Cebeci
A male house sparrow (Passer domesticus’) at Eskibaraj Dam Lake, Adana – Turkey.
7 November 2018

Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one.”  Matthew 10:26

Today I will open my heart to God’s love. I will ask for the grace to love as God loves. I will ask God to fill me with love, peace, compassion, and joy.

Love heals fear. Today I will choose love over fear.

Follow the Way

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For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14

And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”Luke 9:61

What delays me from following the way of Jesus in welcoming, forgiving, loving,  showing compassion to, and living in peace with my neighbor?

Today I will practice awareness of the presence of the Lord in each moment.

Family

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Let us be the family of the Lord. Let us love one another. Let us pray for our enemies. Let us help the poor and the homeless, the refugees and immigrants. Let us comfort the lonely and grief-stricken. Let us welcome the rejected and abandoned. Let us show compassion to the suffering. Let us forgive those who have hurt us.

[… Jesus said,] “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:34b-35