Tag Archives: Lectio Divina

Follow the Light

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El Greco (1541-1614)
Adoration of the Magi with Camels
oil on panel, ca.1568-69
Mexico City, Museo Soumayo

And behold, the star that [the magi] had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Matthew 2:9-11

In a world fragmented by war, violence, injustice, and greed, Jesus is the universal, guiding light. He shows us the way of peace grounded in compassion, forgiveness, harmony, and generosity. With Jesus to guide us, we learn to love our families more deeply, teach our children to be kind and respectful, honor all people with courtesy and acceptance, donate goods and time to food pantries and homeless shelters, visit the lonely, and support refugees, the vulnerable, the elderly, and those who are ill.

Today I will let my light of goodness and love reveal a glimpse of God-among-us to every person I encounter.

Leaving the familiar behind

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Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1859 – 1937
Flight into Egypt
oil on wood panel, ca.1916
National Museum of African American History and Culture

When [the magi] had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. Matthew 2:13-14

Sometimes God calls us to leave behind our home, our community, our traditions, our roots, our habits, our attachments and go to where we can be in harmony with God’s will that we live in love and peace. It is a daunting adventure to leave everything familiar behind and hope we will find a haven where we can grow and flourish in mind, body, and spirit.

Today I will trust the Lord when God calls me to move beyond the familiar into the unknown. Aware that others, too, must find the courage to face life’s challenges, I will treat all people with kindness, patience, and gentleness.

Grace and peace

Fourth Sunday of Advent

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:22-23

God is with us. God is with us. God is with us.

There is nothing to fear. We can let go of anxiety, worry, distress, shame, negativity, blame. Jesus has come to make us whole in trust, love, compassion, mercy, grace, and peace.

Today I will open my heart to let the holiness of the Spirit within show me how to love myself and my neighbor.

Love is patient

Third Sunday of Advent

You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8

We need not look any further: the Lord is at hand in our hearts, in every person, every plant, every animal, every raindrop, every snowflake, every sunset. There is no need to be afraid. We are always in the heart of God.

Today I will be patient with myself and others as I cultivate the precious fruit of love for God and my neighbor.

In harmony

Second Sunday of Advent

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide. Isaiah 11:3

When we welcome and accept people of all cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles without being influenced by others’ opinions, when we balance justice with mercy and are faithful to God’s command to love our neighbor, then we will bear the good fruit of harmony and fullness of peace that is God’s vision for our world.

Today I will ask God for a spirit of wisdom and understanding and a heart of kindness and compassion. May I do my part to fill my little corner of the world with the knowledge of the Lord and help heal the harm caused by fear, conflict, aggression, and division.

Light my way, Lord

First Sunday of Advent
First Sunday of Advent

“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” Isaiah 2:3

The climb up the mountain to the house of the Lord demands perseverance, courage, and trust. The love, example, and presence of Jesus prepare, instruct, and sustain us as we make a commitment to walk in the paths of peace, justice, healing, forgiveness, nonviolence, and compassion.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to bring the healing light of compassionate love to all the dark places in my mind and heart that impede or prevent me from walking in the paths of the Lord.

Don’t forget me

Francesco Allegrini da Gubbio (1587–1663)
Christ Crucified with the Good Thief
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash.
Framing lines in red chalk,
and in pen and brown ink on mount, 1624–63
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 80.3.326

[The other criminal said,] “Jesus, remember me.” Luke 23:42

No one wants to be forgotten, overlooked, ignored. No one wants to be abandoned, rejected, dismissed. No one wants to be excluded, pushed aside, shamed. No one wants to be treated with indifference, malice, inhumanity.

Today I will give thanks that all people have been made in God’s image of love and goodness. I will remember to be aware of the people I encounter and remember everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. I will ask Jesus to help me remember to love my neighbor as myself.

Persevere with love

Pannai, Jaffna Jesus in Sun, 2019

[Jesus answered,] “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Luke 21:9

Persevere in the work of the Lord: love your neighbor, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, give shelter to the homeless, forgive those who hurt you, love your enemy. Let go of fear. Trust the Lord.

Today I will choose to place my mind, heart, and will into God’s care. I will make a commitment to do the work of compassion, reconciliation, and justice as Jesus has taught me.

Holy temples of God

Rembrandt (1606-1669) Jesus driving the money-changers from the Temple etching, state i/ii, 1635

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Each of us is a temple of God, a holy place, a holy being, made in the image of God’s love and goodness.

Whenever we are in the presence of any person, we need to remember we are in the presence of a child of God and are on holy ground. We need to treat everyone with reverence, respect, and kindness. We need to honor each person’s inner dignity because the Holy Spirit dwells in everyone.

Today I will ask Jesus to drive prejudice, disdain, greed, injustice, and indifference out of my mind and heart. I will ask him for the grace to build my life on a foundation of compassion, civility, generosity, peace, and humble service to those in need.

Jesus welcomes us all

Frank Wesley (1923-2002)
Jesus in Benares

[Jesus said to the crowds:] “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” John 6:37

We hope in Jesus and invite all people to walk with us in his way of mercy, love, nonviolence, justice, kindness, and healing. We walk with Jesus and have the courage to face adversity and hardship. We trust Jesus to guide us and we live in peace.

Today I will go to Jesus and know he will welcome me. I will trust him to sustain me in everything.