Tag Archives: Lectio Divina

Forgiveness is a journey

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Lawrence W. Ladd (1879-1945)
Parable of the King and His Servants, ca. 1880
watercolor and pencil on paper
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Gift of Bates and Isabel Lowry, 1986.70.5

Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults. Sirach 28:7

Forgiveness is a journey that takes time and our willing participation. God gently calls us to let go of the wrath and resentment that have held us in bondage and become more like God in mercy and kindness. To answer God’s call we work our way through the anger and blame and fear we feel as the result of being treated disrespectfully, carelessly, scornfully, unjustly, inhumanely. We will eventually arrive at the heart of the grief of how others have treated us, how we have treated others, how a societal norm is growing where it is acceptable to treat people as objects to be manipulated rather than as subjects who have been made in love to be loved.

Today I will ask God to show me how to forgive those who have hurt me and to become willing to make amends to those I have hurt. I will remember God’s covenant of love and ask for the grace to grow more like God in mercy, kindness, patience, and compassion.

Love does no evil

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God Is Love
SashaLee19, 2014

Jesus said to his disciples: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

When we gather in the name of Jesus, we come together in the name of Love. When we gather in the name of Jesus, we soften our hearts and commit to loving God, our neighbors, and ourselves. When we gather in the name of Jesus, we are saying yes to love in all its forms: patience, kindness, humility, forbearance, respect, mercy.

Today I will remember that I owe nothing to anyone except to love each person in the name of Jesus—and I will ask the Holy Spirit to show me an appropriate way to love everyone I encounter.

Obstacles to love

Rétire-toi, Satan (Get thee behind me, Satan)
James Tissot (1836-1902)
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Matthew 16:23

We live in a world and society where money, power, and prestige have become idols, and we think our worth is based on how much we have in the bank, how much control we have over others, and how much people admire us. Yet Jesus teaches us that our worth lies in our inner being, our true heart that reflects God’s love and goodness. And Jesus shows us the way home to God, the source of our life, the One who loves us at all times, in all circumstances. We are to share our resources with those less fortunate, seek ways to carry out God’s will that all people be united in love and peace, and serve others without seeking recognition or reward.

Today I will take time to discern how money, power, and prestige—my own or others’—influence my thinking, attitudes, words, actions, and behaviors. I will ask God’s Spirit to guide me on the path of wholeness, truth, and love.

Rich in wisdom and love

James Tissot (1836–1902)
The Primacy of Saint Peter (La primauté de Saint-Pierre)
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, 1886–1896
Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
Romans 11:33

We can’t out-guess, out-think, or out-imagine God. God is infinitely good, wise, creative, merciful, and loving. God will reveal what we need to know when we need to know it in order that we may grow in humility, patience, trust, goodness, wisdom, and love.

Today I will ask myself who Jesus is. I will examine the ways he has led me, taught me, and shown me how to be in the world. I will model my life on his way of wisdom, compassion, and love.

You are welcome here

Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib (Egyptian, active ca. 1684) (Scribe)
folio from Walters manuscript W.592
ink and pigments on laid paper
The Walters Art Museum

Thus says the Lord: For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
Isaiah 56:7

God loves and welcomes all people of every race, culture, nation, age, gender, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status equally and without exception.

Today I will examine my life and discern where I have been unwelcoming to any of God’s people. I will ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart that I may be a welcoming and loving presence to everyone I encounter.

A silent knowing

Henry Ossawa Tanner (American, 1859 – 1937)
The Disciples see Christ Walking on the Water
Oil on canvas, 1902-1912
Des Moines Art Center

After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
1 Kings 19:12-13

God speaks so quietly to and in our hearts. Sometimes it is not even a whisper but a deep, comforting, silent knowing. Trust that voice. Step into the unknown when it says, “Come!”

Today I will listen to my heart to discern God’s silent guidance and follow where it leads me, even when I am afraid.

Fed with love

James Tissot (1836-1902)
La multiplication des pains, between 1886 and 1894
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

It takes faith to know God is present at every moment, that I am in God and God is in me. It takes humility to recognize that God’s Spirit gives me life and the ability to speak, move, pray, love. It takes intention for me to practice the presence of God and know God’s love for me.

Today I will come to Jesus heedfully, remembering that he is the teacher who feeds me what I need for my spiritual journey. As I read and listen to sacred Scripture, I will practice mindful awareness of God’s presence in the Word of God.

Searching for love

Dilip V Nerlikar
Fisherman throwing the net in the Arabian sea, 2017

So God said to Solomon: “Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—I now do as you request.” 1 Kings 3:11-12a

When I search my heart to discern God’s will, I discover attributes I want to keep: compassion, humility, forgiveness, generosity, a sense of justice, a desire to serve those in need. And I discover attributes that block my true nature of love and goodness: petty complaints, a sense of entitlement, attachment to money and possessions, ingratitude, a need to fix or control others, indifference to those who are suffering.

My daily work is to admit I need help with my imperfections and ask God to remove anything that is unlike love from my heart, mind, and being so that I may be a humble witness to the kingdom of God among us as I go about my day.

Today I will take ten minutes of alone time to examine my heart. I will ask the Lord to illuminate and remove anything that is unlike love from me so that I may live in the light of compassion.

Seeds of love and goodness

Albin Egger-Lienz (1868–1926)
Sämann und Teufel (Sower and Devil), ca.1923
Memorial Chapel of the Fallen (Kriegergedächtniskapelle), Lienz

And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind.
Wisdom 12:19a

God is good, forgiving, abounding in kindness, slow to anger, and faithful. Made in God’s image, we are called to be as like God as possible. Sometimes, however, our shadow selves sow weeds of discouragement, disparagement, and scorn that choke the hope, self-esteem, and dignity of others and create division and distrust in the world.

We must remember that, like Jesus, we have been entrusted with the mission and ministry to sow seeds that bear the fruit of love, healing, peace, nonviolence, and unity for all people.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to come to my aid and guide my words, actions, and attitudes so that I may intentionally sow seeds of compassion, reconciliation, and harmony wherever I find myself.

The word is love

Jean-François Millet (1814-1875)
The Sower
pastel and Conté crayon on beige paper, mounted on wood-pulp board, ca.1865
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA

Jesus said, “But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Matthew 13:23

The word of God is love. The fruit I bear when I hear and understand God’s word of love feeds the people I encounter with respect, encouragement, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and forbearance. Love allows me to live humbly, share generously, act justly, welcome all people as beloved of God, and play a part in carrying out God’s vision of unity and peace in our world.

Today I will intentionally sow words of love in my thoughts and speech. I will allow my actions to reflect this love as I move through the day.