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Benvenuto Tisi (1481-1559)
Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple
between circa 1540 and circa 1550
National Galleries of Scotland
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:25
Today I am feeling small and fragile. I will ask God for the wisdom to lean on the Lord’s gentle strength and trust that everything I need today will be provided.
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Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Mark 9:5-6
To look on the brilliance of the Lord… it is a terrifying thought and a compelling desire.
It is a call in and to me: I want to know the Lord.
Today I will seek the Lord in holy scripture, in the glory of creation, especially in the faces of the people I meet. I will listen for the voice of the Lord in the words of people in need, in the sounds of nature, in the silence of my heart.
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[Jesus] was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him. Mark 1:13b
I have been in a desert with wild beasts that trigger old trauma, where despair and fear and bad dreams keep me thirsting for refreshing, relaxing sleep.
And angels in the form of faithful friends who listen and comfort, who pray for me when I cannot pray for myself, have ministered to me.
Thank you, Lord, for being with me in the desert times. Bless all the kind and compassionate people who help me day by day.
“[Jesus,] if you wish, you can make me clean.”
Mark 1:40b
Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean of resentment, selfishness, racism, low self-esteem, disdain, and fear.
Bless me, Lord. FIll me with your joy.
Simon and those who were with him pursued [Jesus] and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Mark 1:36-37
Let me look for Jesus in the eyes and hearts of those I encounter, in the pain I’m suffering, in the suffering of others, in distant or close companionship, in the quiet of prayer, in the holy scriptures.
Lord, let me trust I will find you.
[The people said, “Jesus] commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” Mark 1:27b
Unclean spirits attack unexpectedly and repeatedly and make themselves at home in my body and mind. It takes all my energy to remember to summon the help of the Lord to expel them.
In the name of Jesus, I command you demons of low self-esteem, despair, negativity, prejudice, denial, blame, resentment, self-righteousness, and fear to be quiet and be gone.
Lord, fill me with your love and peace.
Then [Simon and his brother Andrew] abandoned their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:18
Today’s readings are full of movement: Jonah begins a three-day journey; the people of Nineveh put on sackcloth as a sign of repentance; in Psalm 25 we exhort God to guide us in God’s truth; Paul reminds us the world as we know it is passing away; Jesus invites Simon and Andew, James and John to come after him and the fishermen follow him.
What do my daily actions show? Am I moving closer to the goodness and love in my heart? Am I following Jesus’ way of compassion and peace? Am I inviting others to walk with me as I discover how to love and forgive?
Today I will begin a journey of kindness and respect towards all people.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you? 1 Corinthians 6:19
May I remember that, whatever our differences may be, we each house God’s Spirit of goodness and love.
May I honor the temple of the Holy Spirit— mine or others’—with respect, kindness, peace, forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and compassion.
Turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
Isaiah 55:7b-8
The week has been full of stress. Today I feel in great need of God’s gentle comfort, mercy, and compassion.
May I also remember to imitate God’s kindness and forgiveness and to follow the Way of care for all of God’s creation, especially the people I find difficult to love.
Though darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds, the peoples,
Upon you the LORD will dawn,
and over you his glory will be seen. Isaiah 60:2
Today I will not let the darkness of the pandemic, political posturing, and social tumult cover me. I will shine the glory of God’s love and compassion and comfort in my home, workplace, and community to help dissipate the clouds of fear, unrest, and discord that trouble our world.
