[Jesus said to the crowds:] “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” John 6:37
We hope in Jesus and invite all people to walk with us in his way of mercy, love, nonviolence, justice, kindness, and healing. We walk with Jesus and have the courage to face adversity and hardship. We trust Jesus to guide us and we live in peace.
Today I will go to Jesus and know he will welcome me. I will trust him to sustain me in everything.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.
Sirach 35:21-22a
Holy scripture assures us God hears the cries of the oppressed, the poor, the downtrodden, the marginalized, and all who are treated with disdain, injustice, and inhumanity. God invites us to open our hearts and pray from our pain and our need—without subterfuge, self-delusion, or self-aggrandizing. Our faith teaches us that God hears and answers all who willingly pray in humility and truth.
Today I will humbly admit to God my weaknesses and failures, sorrows and fears, desires and needs. I will ask God to strengthen me and guide me along the path of forgiveness, reconciliation, love, and compassion. I trust I will be heard. I trust God will respond with mercy.
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Pray always without becoming weary.
Luke 18:1b
Injustice, violence, and fear in our communities, society, and world. Rising food, housing, and utility costs. Personal illness, family dysfunction, and problems in the workplace. Each day we face great challenges. Sometimes we grow tired from holding them all, balancing them all.
When we let go of our mistaken belief that we always need to be strong, we can find relief. Asking trusted friends or family members for support will renew our energy. Reading sacred Scripture will help us hear God speak to us. Praying constantly will remind us our help is from the Lord. We need God to show us how to be and guide us in everything we do.
Today I will read Luke 18:1-8 and then spend a few quiet minutes in prayer. I will unburden myself to the Lord and ask for help, guidance, and deeper faith in God’s love for me.
The Lord is kind and merciful. Psalm 103:8a
Kind words and actions and a compassionate presence do more to build up the kingdom of heaven than harshness, impatience, and an unforgiving attitude.
Lord, show me how to be more like you. Fill me with your kindness, peace, and compassion. May my words and actions reflect your infinite patience and love.
Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. Luke 9:28b
A mountain of anxiety, distress, dis-ease, and grief fills our world. May I have the courage to go with the Lord up the mountain to pray for peace and healing for all people everywhere.
Today I will remember that prayer puts me in conscious contact with the presence of the Lord.
Lord, lead me on the path of love and goodness. Fill me with your compassion and kindness.
“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 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.
The Lord is kind and merciful. Psalm 103:8a
Today I will reflect the kindness and mercy of the Lord in all my interactions.
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Psalm 40:5a
We are blessed to put our lives into the care of the Lord who is love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, understanding, gentleness.
Today I will let go of fear and negativity and put my hope in love.
When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. Psalm 138:3
God is here in this place.
Today I will remember to call to God when I feel lonely, overwhelmed, sad, or discouraged. I know God will answer me and give me the courage to keep on.
Mary Ann McSweeny 