Category Archives: Lectio Divina

Driven

Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi (1837-1887) Le Christ dans le désert, 1872 Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi (1837-1887)
Le Christ dans le désert, 1872
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

God’s Holy Spirit points, pushes, drives us where we need to go.

Listen deeply. Be empty of pre-conceived notions. Let go of resistance.

Trust the movement of the Spirit.

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan. Mark 1:12

Made clean

James Tissot (1836-1902) Guérison des lépreux à Capernaum, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Guérison des lépreux à Capernaum, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

When I feel out of step with the ways of the world, when I feel like an outsider or an interloper or just a plain oddball, I can re-root myself in the presence of Jesus and be made clean.

Clean of arrogance. Clean of isolation. Clean of comparisons. Clean of judgment. Clean of the need to conform. Clean of the fear of speaking my truth.

Being made clean by the Lord gives me the right to take my place—just as I am—in any company, any society, any situation.

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.” Mark 1:40

Say no to demons

Jesus heals the possessed

Christ heals the possessed. Jan Luyken. In the Bowyer Bible in Bolton Museum, England. Print 4234. From “An Illustrated Commentary on the Gospel of Mark” by Phillip Medhurst. Section D. Jesus confronts uncleanness. By Phillip Vere [FAL], via Wikimedia Commons

They’re always attacking, subtle or not.

Demons of pain, fatigue, and self-doubt. Demons of resentment, disdain, and indifference. Demons of envy, dissatisfaction, and hopelessness.

Say no, in the name of Jesus. Demons have no power in the light and presence of the Compassion of God.

Jesus rebuked [the unclean spirit] and said,
“Quiet! Come out of him!” Mark 1:25

Fish or cut bait

Fisher Men 3 December 2011 By Venkateshpdy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Fisher Men
3 December 2011
By Venkateshpdy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Consider the power of a call that makes me leave my family, home, livelihood.

Consider the power of a call that changes my heart to feel the fragility, the vulnerability, the desperate need to be loved of the human family.

Consider the power of a call that transforms me into someone who fishes with forgiveness, nonviolence, and compassion as my bait.

And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” Mark 1:17