Tag Archives: Lectio Divina

A Spirit for healing

James Tissot (1835-1902)
Jésus dans la synagogue déroule le livre
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper,
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. 1 Corinthians 12:24-26

We need each other. Every person counts. Every person has something to offer, something to teach, some way of being that is essential to the body that is our human family. We have each been given God’s Spirit for some good purpose.

Today I will ask the Spirit to show me how I can help heal the suffering and division in our human family—and to give me the power to carry out this Spirit-directed mission.

Grow in love

Father George Saget
Mural, 1963
Altar of Keur Moussa Abbey

His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5

As servers of the Lord, it is our privilege to help carry out his mission of love and healing.

Jesus tells us to love God—and our neighbor as ourselves. And so we must find ways to love each other. Love is kind and welcoming. Love is generous and forgiving. Love is open-handed and vulnerable. Love is helping each other through difficult times by listening, encouraging, and sharing what we have.

Today I will make good use of the gifts the Spirit has given me to do what Jesus has told me to do. I will participate in the miracle of love’s healing power.

Give comfort

Jacob de Wit (1695-1754)
Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
chalk and pen, ca.1716
Amsterdam, Amstelkring Museum
via Wikimedia Commons

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

People are struggling in so many ways. Food is expensive. Rents are high. Natural disasters abound. Wars are devastating whole peoples.

We are the eyes and hands and heart of God in the world. In our small, individual ways, let us bring comfort to those who face tragedy and distress. Spend time with the broken, pray, listen, encourage, bring food to the food pantry, knit a welcome blanket for a refugee.

Love. Never. Fails.

Today I will give comfort to others by embodying love and hope with my attitude, words, and actions.

Mystery revealed

John Flaxman (1755-1826) The Adoration of the Magi Graphite with gray wash and watercolor on medium, slightly textured, cream wove paper Yale Center for British Art

The mystery was made known to me by revelation. Ephesians 3:3

As we pay attention to every person we encounter, the mystery of God within each of us is revealed. With deliberate awareness, we learn to search all people for what we share in common: God’s love and goodness.

Today I will follow the light of my heart and treat all people with reverence. I will ask God to reveal His holy presence in each person I meet.

A holy human family

Frank Wesley (1923-2002)
Boy Jesus with the Teachers

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

We create a unified, holy human family by our intentional commitment to look for God’s image in every person we encounter and to respond with respect and reverence to God-in-everyone.

Today I will deliberately treat all people with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

The voice of love

Fourth Sunday of Advent

[Elizabeth said,] “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:44

Our whole being leaps with joy when we hear the voice of love. Let us be the voice of love for every member of our human family. Let us be aware of each other, greet everyone with respect, reach out to everyone in welcome and comfort, listen to each other’s pain, and be the presence of peace and compassion wherever we are.

Today I will do my part to ensure God’s will is fulfilled by being a voice of love, peace, and compassion for my family, friends, and all people I encounter.

The Lord is near

Third Sunday of Advent

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?”
He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Luke 3:10-11

John the Baptist points the way to joy: we are to share what we have generously and with great kindness. The light of joy brightens us as we share food, clothing, shelter, refuge, hope, and compassion with those who have none.

Today I will remember the Lord is near. I will move towards him with joy and serve him by sharing what I have with those who have none.

God’s beloved

Second Sunday of Advent

And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception. Philippians 1:9

God loves every single person on this planet completely and unconditionally. That is the knowledge and perception I pray for: to recognize each member of the human family as God’s beloved and to treat each person with the kindness and respect that is their birthright.

Today I will pray for someone I find difficult to love.

Increase love

First Sunday of Advent
First Sunday of Advent

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

The life of Jesus makes known the ways of the Lord. When we decide to follow Jesus, we intentionally choose the Way of love, healing, peace, justice, compassion, and respect for all people, especially the poor and marginalized.

Today I will increase my love for my neighbor by making a donation to a food pantry.

Love is the Truth

Ge, N. N. (Nikolaĭ Nikolaevich), 1831-1894
“What is truth?” Christ and Pilate
Tretyakov Gallery

[Jesus answered,] “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” John 18:37

The truth: God created us out of an almighty, everlasting love that is and was and is to come. There is no beginning and no end to God’s love. We dwell in God’s love in this very moment and always will.

Today I will testify to God’s love by loving my neighbor as myself.