Reflect
In Brother Mike Johnson’s podcast “A Franciscan Heart in the World” he reflects on John 8:1-11. This scripture invites us to see our own failings, mistakes, defects of character. What stones do you carry? Brother Mike offers, “Put down the stones, that your hands may be empty to receive God’s grace.”
Pray
God, guide me today
to slow down, and to see
what it is I am holding onto
that hurts others
through judgement, cynicism,
coldness, perhaps even betrayal.
Stones keep me heavy-handed
and heavy-hearted,
eyes pinned to the ground.
I pray that I let go of these burdens,
Release them.
Empty me.
Help me.
I long to put down the stones.
To begin again.
Looking up.
Lighter, and anew.
Act
Today, sit for a moment with your hands empty, open, and cupped—how this is the shape in which they receive communion.
