Devotions based on Juliet Benner’s book,  Contemplative Vision

The life of Jesus was a life of love and He saw value and worth in each person. There was no one that was excluded from his welcoming embrace. He invited His followers to change the way they saw others and to see with His eyes of love and compassion. He wants us to change our perspective too and to reach out to those who seem undeserving and least like us. Juliet uses Giordano’s picture of The Good Samaritan to show us how when we extend mercy to the least of them, we are ministering to Jesus himself. ( Matt. 25:40 ) The word compassion means “to suffer with” and we need to be connected with those that suffer and show mercy and compassion. We must allow ourselves to be close enough to feel their suffering, as the Good Samaritan. There is a Jewish proverb that says most people will not see God because they will not stoop low enough.  As we are transformed we can see our neighbor as equally loved by God as we are.  Let us look at others in our midst and see God in them and have His heart of compassion.

 Devotions based on Juliet Benner’s book, Contemplative Vision

When we surrender our will and life to God we don’t do it out of fear but rather in response to His love. His love risked everything for us and reaches out to us even when we are most unlovable. He desires to unite us with Him in depth and closeness. Juliet shares her thoughts of Peter Rubens painting of Descent from the cross. Rubens created art for the church with the intent to speak to the senses and emotions rather than through reason. It is a moving picture of Jesus close friends lowering His body from the cross. Their love and devotion is so evident in their expressions and each one provides care and dignity in their own way to Him. They are united in their grief and in their attention just as we are with other believers as we focus on Christ. As we serve in sacrificial love we become a Christ-bearer too. This picture was intended to be placed above the altar of the cathedral so that when they took communion the picture of His body was right at the Communion Table. Just think of the impact on those receiving. We also receive His body each Sunday as we receive the bread and the wine and enter into this mystery of the sacrament.

Devotions based on Juliet Benner’s book, Contemplative Vision

When our hearts are transformed by God’s love they become places that offer space of hospitality to all. The Rule of St. Benedict says to let all guests who arrive, whether a stranger or not, be received like Christ.  The gift of hospitality begins in our hearts as we extend grace and love to everyone. That means setting aside our own preoccupations and interests to be fully present to another. When we do this, the space we offer is sacred because God is there. Juliet uses the painting by the artist He Qi, The Visitation, of Mary going to see Elizabeth after Gabriel appeared to her. As she stands with Elizabeth, she looks so humble and peacefully surrendered to God’s will. Elizabeth holds her hand and welcomes Mary just where she is. She lays aside her own story to give Mary undivided attention and that together they can listen to the leading of the Spirit. By opening her heart and home to Mary, Elizabeth has offered her space and safety and undivided attention. She listens with her whole being as she bends her head toward Mary. We are also called to share in each others’ story too. When we accompany others, offering them soul hospitality and space to share their experience of God, we become more aware of the sacred in others. Let us become more ready and available to others and watch with awe and gratitude the transformation that God is doing in us all.

Devotions based on Juliet Benner’s book, Contemplative Vision

Our hearts can only be transformed through the grace and love of God. God is always offering us His love but we have to receive it and allow it to change us. That means being willing to give up our self-centered ways and let Him be the center of our lives. God takes the initiative, calls us by name, and invites us into the fellowship of the Trinity. The author shares comments on Caravaggio’s painting of “The Calling of Matthew”. In the picture Matthew’s finger is pointing to himself as if he was questioning his worthiness to be chosen by Jesus to follow Him. Haven’t we also questioned that in our lives? How can God love and choose me? Jesus hand is outstretched extending the invitation just as He does to all of us. Matthew is being offered a chance to find a new identity as one who is loved by Christ. Jesus never coerces but offers love and life without any questions asked.  As Matthew responded his life was changed and completely turned around for he was loved and accepted just as he was. He chose to fix his eyes on Jesus rather than his earthly treasure. Just like Matthew, Jesus comes to us in the midst of our ordinary activities and pierces our darkness and calls us to Him. May we hear His voice calling us and leave all to follow Him.  A poem by Kathy Hughes called “Love with No Edges” may have been what Matthew must have experienced in is call.

“Love given free of charge,

no strings attached, no puppets.

Acceptance as is,

no judgment, no prosecution.

Love with no edges,

a wide open plain.

No accusations

to knock me down.

Just love warmly leading into the sun

to freedom, laughter and life.”

Devotions based on Juliet Benner’s book, Contemplative Vision

When the Lord becomes the center of our lives, we become aware that His creative love is within us. This enables us to live in freedom, with authenticity, and with new awareness of what is truly important. As our lives are continually transformed we will be willing to die to the things that keep us from Him.  The author shares her thoughts on Ridolfo Ghirlandaio’s painting of “Procession to Calvary” which shows Jesus on his way to be crucified. Jesus bears his cross with courage and faith and presses on toward the goal. I wonder if we can see Him when our circumstances are dark and involve suffering.  The people around Jesus are united with Him in His suffering as well as each other.  Sharing our faith journey with others creates the kind of community where we can help each other see where He is in the middle of our life’s adversities. When we walk the way of the cross our struggles are given perspective and meaning. We know there is always ultimate meaning because of the resurrection. We have a wonderful, glorious, assured destination!!!  Let us share the” fellowship of His sufferings. Phil 3:1.

Devotions based on Juliet Benner’s Book, Contemplative Vision

In our every day life we miss God because He may not appear in ways we expect. As long as we have fixed ideas of how and where God should be for us, He will remain hidden and seem silent to us. God desires to be known and to touch us if we would be attentive to Him. In John’s day people needed to have their vision changed in order to see their Messiah in different ways than they had expected. They expected a Messiah that would come in power and might to deliver them from their oppressors. Yet John told them this humble man in ordinary clothing was their Deliverer.  Thy needed a new way of seeing and their eyes required a radical transformation in order to recognize Him. So it is with us as we need to be attentive enough to recognize and respond to God who is among us. It took some time for the disciples who met Jesus on the Emmaus Road to recognize Jesus, and then He vanished. Juliet shares her thoughts of Caravaggio’s painting of Jesus at table with these two friends, in such an ordinary circumstance of life. There is an empty place at the table that is wide enough for us to join in this meal.  Jesus has his hand outstretched and is extending us an invitation too. Yet sometimes we are reluctant to draw near to Him. What barriers to do we have that keep us from responding? Let us pray that our eyes would be open and our vision transformed so we can see Him in all the ways that He comes to us. When  we are attuned with eyes and hearts to see the unseen spiritual realities which surround us, then we will be able to recognize the sacred in our midst.

Devotions based on Juliet Benner’s book, Contemplative Vision

Haven’t we all experienced doubts whether God is really present for us in difficult times? Do we demand proofs that He is there for us?
Juliet shares her thoughts on Caravaggio’s painting, “The Incredulity of St. Thomas” which shows Thomas ( along with 2 others)  putting his hand in Jesus wounds.  Thomas was candidly honest about his unbelief and had no pretense. And Jesus received him exactly where he was in his present reality.  He also meets us in the questions and doubts we have in our lives and invites us to trust Him completely. Sometimes when we have doubts or dryness of faith we find it hard to share with others as we feel we will be judged. But doubts shared honestly and openly before God and others lead to greater faith.  When we have dark times of unknowing, it can draw us into a deeper and richer walk with Him than if we walked only in the sunshine of His presence. Let us be open and honest with our questions and doubts and come to Him with eyes of faith and see how He welcomes us. Healing can come to us as we allow ourselves to be touched by Him.

Devotions based on Juliet Benner’s Book, Contemplative Vision

The author says that “Christian spirituality is a journey into loving communion and union with God. It is learning to look into the face of God and, rather than experience guilt, fear or shame, know our belovedness.” As we think of Adam and Eve they had perfect fellowship with God and complete freedom. But after they sinned they lost that awareness of intimate communion with Him and ever since God has been seeking to heal our damaged seeing and knowing. So many times God invites us to come, to draw near and see for ourselves who He is. WE can choose to accept, reject or ignore these invitations. The author has us look at Nicolas Poussin’s  picture of the Adoration of the Shepherds who came to see Jesus after his birth. I am amazed at all she sees in the painting and know I have such limited sight. But it helps as she points out the sacred in the ordinary smelly stable and the humblest things exalted. I wonder if we recognize the Christ Child in our ordinary circumstances. God wants to give us renewed vision and a heart that dares to be open. It is His desire to mold us more into His image and have us respond to Him with trust.

Devotions based on Juliet Benner’s Book, Contemplative Vision

When we have times of joy and blessings, it is not hard to see God and His action in our lives. But when we are going through some chaotic times of struggle, we may feel abandoned and tempted to ask God where He is.   Even though it is hard to discern God’s presence during those times, He has assured us in His Word that He is with us and will not forsake us. Juliet gives her thoughts on Rembrandt’s picture of “Christ in the Storm on the Lake of Galilee.”

She observes so much that I missed at my first look at it but helps me see deeper as she shares. Jesus is at peace in the storm as He has perfect peace and trust in His Father. When he asks the disciples about their lack of faith, He also invites us to abandon our control and to trust Him completely. He is in our boat too!  If you really look hard at the picture there are 13 disciples in the boat and Rembrandt may have inserted himself or it may have been his way to include us in the scene. Often, don’t we question God’s slow response to help us?  But He wants us to let go and surrender to His love and safety and turn our eyes and heart to Him.  We need eyes to see Him even in our darkest and stormiest experiences as He is there.