Category: lectio divina

2017.07.08: authority without Spirit

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. – Mt 10:1

be wary of authority without Spirit
Jesus gave to his first disciples authority
before he gave them the Holy Spirit
they drove out unclean spirits
they cured diseases and illnesses
yet they had no power over sin
they had no power over themselves
they betrayed him and deserted him
leaving him desolate on the cross

only after his resurrection
when he gave them the Holy Spirit
were they able to overcome sin
and confront their own crosses
what good is authority over the world
when one has no power over oneself

2015.07.07: the face of God

“Because I have seen God face to face,” Jacob said, “yet my life has been spared.” – Gen 32:31

 

I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence. – Ps 17:15

 

At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. – Mt 9:36

there are those
who would keep God
hidden behind curtains
locked behind doors
inaccessible
but for the privileged few

yet he came and walked
among the common people
he proclaimed to them
the Gospel of the Kingdom
he showed them
justice and mercy
truth and love

he showed us
the face of God

2015.07.06: the message

She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. – Mt 9:21-22

it’s never been about the messenger
they’ve come and they’ve gone
it’s always been about the message

the message isn’t about what happened
the message isn’t about what is to come
the message is about today

the message isn’t a story about a hero
the message is a story about a teacher
the message is a story about you

the story isn’t finished
are you ready to write your story
the teacher has need of you

2015.07.05: faith of gratitude

He was amazed at their lack of faith. – Mk 6:6

let me not strive
for false security
nor food or shelter
nor fame or fortune
nor sense of belonging
for all can be taken away
at the whims of unjust rulers
and the fateful hand of death

cultivate in me, Lord
a virtue of gratitude
let me not covet
what i don’t have
but let me be grateful
for what i’ve been given
all i need is your love
you are enough for me

2015.07.04: ordinary day

Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved. – Mt 9:17

as a new day breaks
and the sun pours
new wine into the world

let me receive the new wine
not with my tired old shell
but with the skin of a newborn

let me see the world
not with 50 year old eyes
jaded with disappointments
too many to enumerate
but with fresh eyes
newly cured by the healer

let me not bring yesterday
and its preconceived notions
into this new day

let my tired heart
broken and healed
broken and healed
be open to the love
that God offers

let me surrender
to the grace that abounds
in an ordinary day