He Qi, The Doubt of St. Thomas
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” John 20:21
The Risen Lord brings us peace and sends us forth to bring peace to others.
Where do I need to bring peace today?
Holy Family
A worldwide human family that reflects love and harmony…
…is only possible if I open my heart today and treat myself and all people with compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. It is only possible when I stop comparing myself to others and follow the Way of unconditional love.
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another. Colossians 3:12-13a
Loaves and Fishes Mosaic
Church of the Multiplication, Tabgha
Today I choose to avoid divisiveness. I will use my energy to practice patience, treat all people with gentleness, and become more humble by refusing to compare myself with others.
…live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace… Ephesians 4:1b-3
The Birth of St. John the Baptist
Spain, ca.1525
Gilded wood
Art Institute of Chicago
My daily work is to show up for life, treat all people with compassion, generosity, and respect, take care of today’s responsibilities, and help manifest God’s vision of peace, unity, and love in our fragile world.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. Isaiah 49:4
Unknown Icon Painter, Russian (active 1690-1710 in northern Russia)
The Holy Trinity
egg tempera on wood, between 1690 and 1710
We are in the presence of God. Now.
We are not alone. We have not been abandoned. The Lord is with us always.
Listen to the silence. Feel the fullness. Absorb the peace.
Trust.
[Jesus approached and said to them,] “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b
The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them
in the breaking of bread. Luke 24:35
Jesus has risen from the dead. He breaks bread and eats a bit of fish to prove he is here with us, a tangible, touchable, living presence.
It is in this present, earth-bound moment that he offers us the gift of peace. Today I will accept this moment of peace… and the next…and the next… until I internalize the gift and am able to offer it to others—to all members of our human family, who live and breathe and ache to be touched with God’s peace and compassion.
[Jesus] stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Luke 24:36
I perceive the resplendence of wisdom when I stay aware of and act on opportunities to love my neighbor, forgive those who have hurt me, take responsibility for my words and actions, give food to the hungry, visit the sick and lonely, seek peaceful resolutions to conflict.
I find wisdom in my own loneliness, in my realization of my need for God’s guidance, comfort, and boundless love as I continue to make mistakes on the Way to perfection.
Resplendent and unfading is wisdom,
and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her. Wisdom 6:12
_-_James_Tissot.jpg)
James Tissot (1836-1902)
Le denier de César
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum
Love. Compassion. Kindness. Mercy. Forgiveness. Welcome. Comfort. Peace.
These belong to God. May I repay them to God by extending them to everyone I encounter.
[Jesus said to them,] “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22: 21
Jacek Andrzej Rossakiewicz, 1956-2016
The Prayer of Jesus
oil on canvas, 1990
Faith to walk the way of peace and nonviolence and forgiveness.
Faith to be guided by the truth of our common humanity that demands generosity towards the poor and compassion for the suffering.
Faith to choose life with, in, and from the healing power of love.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” John 14:1
Guercino, 1591-1666
Doubting Thomas
oil on canvas, 1st half 17th c.
Salzburg, Residenzgalerie
May I have the faith to unlock my heart to receive the gift of the Lord’s peace.
And may I carry the message of the Lord’s peace wherever I go today.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” John 19:26b
Mary Ann McSweeny 