“In the context of sabbath, we turn ahimsa inward as the commitment to do no harm to ourselves and embrace a life of love and peace in recognition that we all need rest.”
—Melinda Emily Thomas, Sacred Balance: Aligning Body and Spirit Through Yoga and the Benedictine Way
What might it be like to practice sabbath as an act of non-violence?
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Verse of the day
Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
–Psalm 82:3–4
Voice of the day
Young people say, “What can one person do? What is the sense of our small effort?” They cannot see that we can only lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time; we can be responsible only for the one action of the present moment.
–Dorothy Day
Prayer of the day
God, give us courage to stand with those who are vulnerable and to speak up when others are denied justice. Help us turn our concern into action, one step at a time. Amen.
Verse of the day
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
–Hebrews 13:16
Voice of the day
We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.
–Dorothy Day
Prayer of the day
God of love, teach us to make our faith visible through generosity, service, and care for others. Open our hearts to share what we have and remind us that no act of love is too small. Amen.
Verse of the day
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all.
-Galatians 6:9-10
Voice of the day
Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits put together that overwhelm the world.
–Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Prayer of the day
God, give us strength when doing good feels small or unnoticed. Help us remain faithful in the work of love, trusting that every act of goodness can become part of something greater. Amen.
“In that act of hospitality, I will walk in solidarity with those who are shrouded in pain. I will gradually understand the necessity of kindness, and I will discover moments of wonder.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, The Artist’s Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom
How has your hospitality grown over the course of your spiritual journey?
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“In a world of noise, confusion and conflict it is necessary that there be places of silence, inner discipline and peace: not the peace of mere relaxation but the peace of inner clarity and love based on ascetic renunciation.” —Thomas Merton
from “Come to the Mountain: New Ways and Living Traditions in the Monastic Life” — St. Benedict’s Cistercian Monastery, Snowmass, Colorado (1964)
Prayer is leading every sorrow to the source of all healing: it is letting the warmth of Jesus’ love melt the cold anger of resentment; it is opening a space where joy replaces sadness, mercy supplants bitterness, love displaces fear, gentleness and care overcome hatred and indifference. But, most of all, prayer is the way to become and remain part of Jesus’ mission to draw all peoples to the intimacy of God’s love. — The Road to Peace
Reflection Question: How has prayer drawn you to Jesus’ mission to draw all people to the intimacy of God’s love?
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. – Micah 7: 18
Verse of the day
Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Voice of the day
[Let us] be ambassadors in the midst of a world torn asunder: ambassadors of truth, love and unity; ministers of justice, peace, and charity.
-Archbishop William E. Lori, Trinity Sunday homily
Prayer of the day
Loving God, thank you for the people who encourage, uplift, and walk alongside us. Help us be a source of strength and hope to others, building a community rooted in love, justice, and compassion. Amen
“We live in a very summer-oriented culture. We value perpetual productivity and fruitfulness. And yet living this kind of energy all year drives us to burnout and depletes our bodies. It drives us to suppress grief over very real losses.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness
What are ways you can honor and celebrate both the outer and inner autumn and winter seasons of your life?
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“Nature is a holy text for me, an icon, a window to the Divine Presence at work in the world. Just as we spend time gazing upon an icon or our beloved, we can also allow our gaze to be drawn to this most holy and splendid of sights.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, The Artist’s Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom
What element of Divine Presence is revealed to you today through nature as icon?
Join our 12-week self-study companion retreat to the book with additional resources and guidance here. Use code MONKANDARTIST20 for 20% off through October 31st.
