Week 15 Daily Dose of Love
#99 (4/09)
Jesus Says
“Follow Me”
Matthew 8:21-22
Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go
and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Luke 9:59-62
To
another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Jesus says to love
first. Love can only be true when it is our first priority. Seemingly legitimate
demands press on us every day; they will crowd love out of our hearts and lives if we let them. Unlike
the world we live in, love is never insistent or pushy. Love quietly recedes into the background when we
allow ourselves to react to the demands and pressure of daily life. There will always be one more thing
to do before we can love. Love is the only thing in our world that lasts.
Everything else will eventually diminish, die, and decay. There is nothing as enduring or important
as love. When we love first, we live fully.
Reflection/Discussion:
What is most likely to distract and divert us from love?
Principles of Love:
Decision; Opening; Commitment; Vision
Pray Through the Day:
Help us always
To choose love
#100
(4/10)
Jesus Quiets a Storm
Matthew 8:18, 23-27
Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And when
he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat
was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord,
save us! We are perishing!” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?”
Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying,
“What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”
Mark
4:35-41
On that day, when
evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd
behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm
arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the
stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there
was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea
obey him?”
Luke 8:22-25
One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across
to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down
on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him
up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they
ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and
amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
Love can calm the
greatest storms. Parents quiet crying infants by lovingly holding them to their breast until the gentle rhythm of one
heartbeat gradually slows the other. Turmoil and chaos become challenges and opportunities when we feel
fully and completely loved. Feeling truly loved puts our feet on the ground and our heads on straight.
We see more clearly with more patience and foresight. When our life is permeated by a deep and lasting
love, we know that we will be OK no matter what happens.
The power of this love is not some
distant goal that we strive and struggle for. It is available now; right here, in this moment.
Jesus is in the boat with us. God loves us to the depth of our being at this very moment.
All we need to do is to acknowledge and accept it, so it can guide our decisions and actions.
Reflection/Discussion:
How can we maintain openness to love in
the midst of a storm?
Principles of Love:
Nature; Opening; Vision; Acceptance
Pray Through the Day:
We were created
From God’s love
#101 (4/11)
Legions of Demons
Matthew 8:28-34
When he came to the other side, to the country of the
Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way.
Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the
time?” Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons
begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go!”
So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished
in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what
had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they
begged him to leave their neighborhood.
Mark 5:1-20
They
came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the
boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs;
and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but
the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him.
Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his
voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”
For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Then Jesus asked
him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” He
begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country.
Now
there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us into the swine;
let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the
swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea.
The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was
that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind,
the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the
demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood.
As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him.
But Jesus refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you,
and what mercy he has shown you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much
Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
Luke 8:26-39
Then
they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man
of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs.
When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me,
Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”— for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to
come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he
would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, “What is
your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to
order them to go back into the abyss.
Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding;
and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out
of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then
people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting
at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them
how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country
of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.
The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying,
“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout
the city how much Jesus had done for him.
The demons of our time are much more subtle than when Jesus walked the earth, but their
impact on our lives is no less severe. We can be totally possessed by the drive to succeed, accumulate,
impress, or be safe. Relationships can be wrenched apart and broken into pieces to satisfy the whims and
pressures of the false self. Demons cannot survive in an atmosphere
of love. Jesus supplies the love; it is up to us to receive and spread it.
Reflection/Discussion:
When are impulses that move us away from
God’s love mostly likely to influence our decisions and actions?
Principles of Love:
Vision; Decision; Opening
Pray Through the Day:
Open our eyes
To deepen our love
#102 (4/12)
Healing Jarius’ Daughter
Matthew 9:18, 23-26
While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt
before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion,
he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when
the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report
of this spread throughout that district.
Mark 5:21-24, 35-43
When
Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea.
Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly,
“My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”
So he went with him.
While he was still speaking, some people came from the
leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But
overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came
to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When
he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.”
And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were
with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,”
which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about
(she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that
no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Luke 8:40-42,49-56
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just then
there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house,
for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.
While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead; do
not trouble the teacher any longer.” When Jesus heard this, he replied, “Do not fear. Only
believe, and she will be saved.” When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with
him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. They were all weeping and
wailing for her; but he said, “Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed
at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!”
Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her
parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.
There are times when, from all practical appearances,
love seems to be dead. We can come up with all kinds of reasons and justifications why a relationship cannot
be saved. But love is more powerful than any reason or justification. The spirit of love can breathe new life into a relationship by helping us to look past anger, reactivity,
and defensiveness; to transcend bitterness, resentment, and blame to see another child of God who wants to love and be loved
just as we do.
Reflection/Discussion:
When are we most likely to think that love is not possible?
Principles of Love:
Commitment; Opening; Vision; Compassion
Pray Through the Day:
Help us to love
when our will is weak
#103 (4/13)
Woman with
a Hemorrhage
Matthew 9:19-22
And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had
been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself,
“If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take
heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
Mark 5:25-34
Now
there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under
many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had
heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes,
I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed
of her disease.
Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him,
Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said
to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” He
looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear
and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your
faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Luke 8:42b-48
As he went, the crowds pressed in on him.
Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had
on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and
immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?’’ When all denied
it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” But Jesus said, “Someone
touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she could not
remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had
touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made
you well; go in peace.”
Faith in Jesus is faith in love. Love can bring relief to the most difficult and
persistent disorders, if we have faith in its power. Love makes us whole. In a world
fragmented by competing self-interests, love reconnects us to God and each other. Any problem, difficulty,
conflict, disease, worry, or fear is made easier when love is present. We hesitate to love when we feel
separated from love. Our hearts pump blood to nourish every cell in our body. A leak in
this system is called a hemorrhage. The woman who suffered from hemorrhage had confidence that if she got
in touch with Jesus, she would be made whole again.
Catherine of Siena wrote, “If
you have received my love sincerely without self-interest, you will drink your neighbor’s love sincerely.
It is just like a vessel that you fill at the fountain. If you take it out of the fountain to drink,
the vessel is soon empty. But if you hold your vessel in the fountain while you drink, it will not get
empty: indeed it will always be full.”
Faith in Jesus keeps us open to
his love so it can flow through us to bring healing to every heart we touch.
Reflection/Discussion:
How can we maintain an open heart in the
midst of pain and suffering?
Principles of Love:
Nature; Opening; Compassion; Suffering
Pray Through the Day:
We were created
From God’s love
#104 (4/14)
Two Blind Men
Matthew 9:27-31
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him;
crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he entered the house, the blind men came
to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” And
their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.” But
they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.
Marcel Proust said that the voyage
of discovery lies not in seeking new vistas but in having new eyes. Faith gives us a new set of eyes that allow us to view
our world with love.
When we see through eyes of faith and love, we are not blinded by the glitter of the
false self. We are able to look past external appearances and defenses to see the potential and capacity
for love that is within every human being that God created. What we see is what we get.
Reflection/Discussion:
How does faith open our eyes?
Principles of Love:
Vision; Compassion; Opening; Commitment
Pray Through the Day:
Open our eyes
To deepen our love
#105 (4/15)
Jesus Heals One who is Mute
Matthew
9:32-34
After they had gone
away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had
been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.”
The demons that keep us quiet can
be as evil as those who lead us to belittle, gossip, or lie. There are times when love requires us to speak
up even though it’s easier and safer to keep quiet. When we bring our inability to speak to Jesus, we learn the unspoken language of love.
Love helps clear away misunderstanding and misinterpretation. It gives us patience and foresight
so our hearts can discern what is needed so we are able to choose words that are helpful. The Pharisees remind us that loving words are always accepted in this world. Love
easily threatens those stuck in the false self. Our words may be criticized, even condemned.
It’s part of the risk of loving. Jesus tells us it is a risk worth taking.
Reflection/Discussion:
How can we overcome our hesitation to
speak out when that is the most loving thing to do?
Principles of Love:
Decision; Opening
Pray Through the Day:
Help us always
To choose love
