Tag Archives: love

Gifted

Jan Cossiers, 1600-1671 The wedding at Cana: Jesus blesses the water oil on canvase, 1641-1660 Herentals, Saint Waltrude's Church

Jan Cossiers, 1600-1671
The wedding at Cana: Jesus blesses the water
oil on canvas, 1641-1660
Herentals, Saint Waltrude’s Church

You have gifts to offer. Gifts in abundance. Humor. Hospitality. Kindness. Comfort.

A listening ear. A homemade meal. A well-tended garden. A prayer.

Forgiveness. Acceptance. Compassion. Love.

You have so many gifts that bless our world.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Honor

John Flaxman (1755-1826) The Adoration of the Magi Graphite with gray wash and watercolor on medium, slightly textured, cream wove paper Yale Center for British Art

John Flaxman (1755-1826)
The Adoration of the Magi
Graphite with gray wash and watercolor on medium, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Yale Center for British Art

Today I will pay homage to the Lord by honoring his call to love my neighbor and forgive my enemies, by searching for his Holy Spirit in each person I encounter, and by making good use of my gifts and talents in his service.

[The magi] prostrated themselves and did [Jesus] homage. Matthew 2:11

At any moment

Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov (1806-1858) Head of St. John the Baptist oil on paper mounted on canvas, 1837-1857 Tretyakov Gallery

Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov (1806-1858)
Head of St. John the Baptist
oil on paper mounted on canvas, 1837-1857
Tretyakov Gallery

At any point in our temporal history, the Word of God may come to us and lead us to become prophetic witnesses to the presence of God in our midst.

The Word of God may call us to speak out against prejudice, greed, and violence, and point the way to acceptance, generosity, and peace.

The Word of God may show us how to let go of resentment, self-centeredness, and arrogance, and teach us the way of forgiveness, service to those in need, and humble awareness of our dependence on God.

The Word of God may clarify our purpose in life: to love God, ourselves, and our neighbors, to bring comfort to the afflicted, to use our gifts and talents in the service of God’s whole human family.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar… during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. Luke 3:1, 2

Listen to the truth

Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893) Jesus Washing Peter's Feet oil on canvas, 1852-1856 Tate

Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893)
Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet
oil on canvas, 1852-1856
Tate

In every moment, the voice of our king reminds us to love, forgive, reconcile, and help the poor, sick, and elderly, the widows, children, and foreigners.

The voice of our king calls us to remember who we are: members of one human family, each unique, each with gifts to share, each beloved of God.

The voice of our king tells us how to serve as he served: with humility, compassion, nonviolence, and love without end.

[Jesus answered,] “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37

A Word of Love

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near."

“Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.” Mark 13:28

Love is timeless, without end, forever. Love will not pass away.

Love is the solution to the violence, hatred, greed, and contempt for human life that continue to shock our world.

Love is forgiveness. Love is humility. Love is compassion. Love is admitting when I am wrong. Love is kindness. Love is respect. Love is letting go of resentment. Love is comforting the grieving. Love is helping those who are suffering. Love is putting aside my needs for the moment and listening to you in your moment of need.

The Word is Love.

[Jesus said to his disciples:] “Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.” Mark 13:31

Like a child

Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1472-1553 Christ Blessing the Children oil on panel, 1537 Kraków, Wawel Castle

Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1472-1553
Christ Blessing the Children
oil on panel, 1537
Kraków, Wawel Castle

Today I will let the child in me accept God’s kingdom of peace, love, compassion, and comfort with wonder, delight, joy, and awe.

And with the knowing that I am blessed and welcome.

[Jesus said to them,] “Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced [the children] and blessed them, placing his hands on them. Mark 10:15-16

For Jesus

Tita Gori (1870-1941) Jésus-Christ entouré de disciples et d'une sainte femme Collection privée By Jean-Marc Pascolo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Tita Gori (1870-1941)
Jésus-Christ entouré de disciples et d’une sainte femme
Collection privée
By Jean-Marc Pascolo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

We are for Jesus, not against him, when we practice healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, compassion, love, peace, and care for the poor and vulnerable.

Jesus is the unifying force of all those who believe in the holy power of his name.

[Jesus replied,] “There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.”

In the arms of God

James Tissot (1836-1902) Jésus et le petit enfant opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Jésus et le petit enfant
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Imagine the arms of Jesus around me.

Respectful. Comforting. Loving. Gentle. Protective. Reassuring. Encouraging. Peace-giving.

Am I willing to receive each of God’s children in the name of Jesus with respect, comfort, gentleness, protection, reassurance, encouragement, and peace?

Taking a child, [Jesus] placed it in the their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37

Touch of compassion

Ottheinrich-Bibel, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Blatt 55v: Heilung des Taubstummen, Mk 7,31-37 ca.1425-1430

Ottheinrich-Bibel, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
Blatt 55v: Heilung des Taubstummen, Mk 7,31-37
ca.1425-1430

Jesus touches my ears and I hear the cries of those who are grieving, discouraged, abused, abandoned, ignored, scorned, in need of shelter, love, and comfort.

Jesus touches my tongue and I speak out plainly in support of those who need hope, justice, faith, peace, encouragement, and compassion.

Jesus is not afraid to touch those in need.
Am I?

[Jesus] put his finger into the man’s ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly. Mark 7:33-35

Power to change

Ernst Barlach, 1870-1938 Lehrender Christus, mit vorgestreckten Händen, 1922

Ernst Barlach, 1870-1938
Lehrender Christus, mit vorgestreckten Händen, 1922

Jesus knows we’re human. At times we’re going to be judgmental, indifferent, greedy, resentful, and self-seeking. We’re also going to be compassionate, loving, forgiving, and generous.

What happens when I think negative, hurtful thoughts? What happens when I speak scornfully, sarcastically, or otherwise unkindly to myself and others?

What happens when I deliberately choose to think positive, grateful thoughts? What happens when I speak respectfully and kindly to myself and others?

Jesus urges us to be aware of our thoughts and how we act on them. We have the power to change the world with our attitudes and actions.

[Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,] “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” Mark 7:20-23