Tag Archives: peace

Give comfort

Jacob de Wit (1695-1754)
Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
chalk and pen, ca.1716
Amsterdam, Amstelkring Museum
via Wikimedia Commons

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

People are struggling in so many ways. Food is expensive. Rents are high. Natural disasters abound. Wars are devastating whole peoples.

We are the eyes and hands and heart of God in the world. In our small, individual ways, let us bring comfort to those who face tragedy and distress. Spend time with the broken, pray, listen, encourage, bring food to the food pantry, knit a welcome blanket for a refugee.

Love. Never. Fails.

Today I will give comfort to others by embodying love and hope with my attitude, words, and actions.

Mystery revealed

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

The mystery was made known to me by revelation. Ephesians 3:3

As we pay attention to every person we encounter, the mystery of God within each of us is revealed. With deliberate awareness, we learn to search all people for what we share in common: God’s love and goodness.

Today I will follow the light of my heart and treat all people with reverence. I will ask God to reveal His holy presence in each person I meet.

A holy human family

Frank Wesley (1923-2002)
Boy Jesus with the Teachers

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

We create a unified, holy human family by our intentional commitment to look for God’s image in every person we encounter and to respond with respect and reverence to God-in-everyone.

Today I will deliberately treat all people with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

The voice of love

Fourth Sunday of Advent

[Elizabeth said,] “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:44

Our whole being leaps with joy when we hear the voice of love. Let us be the voice of love for every member of our human family. Let us be aware of each other, greet everyone with respect, reach out to everyone in welcome and comfort, listen to each other’s pain, and be the presence of peace and compassion wherever we are.

Today I will do my part to ensure God’s will is fulfilled by being a voice of love, peace, and compassion for my family, friends, and all people I encounter.

The Lord is near

Third Sunday of Advent

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?”
He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Luke 3:10-11

John the Baptist points the way to joy: we are to share what we have generously and with great kindness. The light of joy brightens us as we share food, clothing, shelter, refuge, hope, and compassion with those who have none.

Today I will remember the Lord is near. I will move towards him with joy and serve him by sharing what I have with those who have none.

God’s beloved

Second Sunday of Advent

And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception. Philippians 1:9

God loves every single person on this planet completely and unconditionally. That is the knowledge and perception I pray for: to recognize each member of the human family as God’s beloved and to treat each person with the kindness and respect that is their birthright.

Today I will pray for someone I find difficult to love.

Increase love

First Sunday of Advent
First Sunday of Advent

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

The life of Jesus makes known the ways of the Lord. When we decide to follow Jesus, we intentionally choose the Way of love, healing, peace, justice, compassion, and respect for all people, especially the poor and marginalized.

Today I will increase my love for my neighbor by making a donation to a food pantry.

Love is the Truth

Ge, N. N. (Nikolaĭ Nikolaevich), 1831-1894
“What is truth?” Christ and Pilate
Tretyakov Gallery

[Jesus answered,] “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” John 18:37

The truth: God created us out of an almighty, everlasting love that is and was and is to come. There is no beginning and no end to God’s love. We dwell in God’s love in this very moment and always will.

Today I will testify to God’s love by loving my neighbor as myself.

Breathe

James Moriarty Fig Tree in Spring, 2005

Each breath I take is a sign of God’s Spirit within me. No matter what is happening, my breath reminds me I am always in the presence of the Lord, at home in the heart of God.

Today I will remember to breathe when I am anxious or upset. God is here.

I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Psalm 16:8

It’s not about power and prestige

The Widow’s Mite – Luke 21:1-4
JESUS MAFA. The Widow’s Mite, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

Jesus never sought honor, power, or prestige. He cared about people and he helped them—especially the poor, the hungry, the ill, and those rejected and abandoned by society.

Lord, grant me the grace to empty myself of arrogance, greed, self-serving, and indifference. Fill me with your kindness, generosity, compassion, and welcome. Show me concrete ways to help the poor and hopeless.

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40