Verse of the day
Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
-Deuteronomy 16:20
Voice of the day
Peace is not merely the absence of this tension, but the presence of justice.
–Martin Luther King Jr.
Prayer of the day
God, guide us toward justice that creates peace, not violence that deepens division. Give us the courage to pursue what is right, the wisdom to act with compassion, and the strength to stand for justice even when the path is difficult. Amen.
Hope doesn’t know the outcome,
only that we must act
with love, with vision, with justice
toward an unknown future
like walking slowly through fog.
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, What Enters Through the Open Heart: Poems
When has your desire to know stunted your action?
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The opposite of resentment is gratitude (from the Latin gratia = favor). Gratitude is more than an occasional “thanks be to God.” Gratitude is the attitude that enables us to let go of anger, receive the hidden gifts of those we want to serve, and make these gifts visible to the community as a source of celebration. – Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit
Reflection Question: How has gratitude allowed you to receive hidden gifts from those you serve?
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. – Colossians 3: 16
“When we encounter nature as sacrament, we can no longer objectify it.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Earth, Our Original Monastery: Cultivating Wonder and Gratitude through Intimacy with Nature
How do you nurture and nourish this kind of vision? Where are you invited to lean into the sacrament of nature even more?
To register for the self-study companion retreat to the book with extra resources and guidance click here. Use code EARTH20 to take 20% off through September 30th.
Verse of the day
I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service.
– 1 Timothy 1:12
Voice of the day
Sometimes in our grand visions I think we forget to see what’s right here in our midst, to celebrate what we have.
– Joyce Hollyday
Prayer of the day
God, fill our hearts with gratitude for every opportunity to serve, for the strength to keep going, and for the trust you place in us. May we never take these gifts for granted. Amen.
The experience of peace and reconciliation comes when people are very honest and compassionate with one another, when they are vulnerable and open about their mistakes and weaknesses. The seed that falls into broken ground bears much fruit. So perhaps it is wise to begin to shift our thinking. We want to move away from emulating successfulness and begin to dream about a life of fruitfulness. — Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and the Spirit
Reflection Question: How have you seen God use your life to bear good fruit?
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. – Romans 12: 3
Please, Lord, join me on the road, enter into my closed room, and take my foolishness away. Open my mind and heart to the great mystery of your active presence in my life, and give me the courage to help others discover your presence in their lives. Amen. — Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life
Reflection Question: When did you last make space to reflect on the great mystery of God’s active presence in your life?
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. – 1 Corinthians 1: 25
Verse of the day
“Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of yours?”
– 2 Chronicles 1:10
Voice of the day
Maybe what we lack isn’t love but wisdom. It became clear to me that I should pray above all else for wisdom.
– Richard Rohr
Prayer of the day
Gracious God, grant us wisdom and knowledge to lead with humility, discernment, and care. Guide our steps as we serve others. Amen.
Verse of the day
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
– Mark 11:25
Voice of the day
Everyone, real or invented, deserves the open destiny of life.
– Grace Paley
Prayer of the day
Reconciling God, give us the grace to adopt a mindset of giving the benefit of the doubt and the wisdom to know when that is not merited. Amen.
Verse of the day
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from works, and I by my works will show you faith.
– James 2:18
Voice of the day
This is a challenge that does not allow us the comfort of believing in something and not putting it into practice.
– Andrew Suderman
Prayer of the day
God of faith and action, help us live what we believe, putting our faith into practice through love, compassion, and service. Amen.
