The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. John 1: 43-46 Come and See Lord, forgive my unmoving and unseeing heart. Your invitation still stands to come and see. Come and See. Come – turn away from my worldly desires and behaviors. See – you waiting for me to come. Come – run into your open loving arms. See – your smile, feel your tender embrace. Come – lend a helping hand to those who you bring my way. See – others through your eyes of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Come – your invitation to not only spend time with you, but to know you intimately, to dance with you, to … [Read more...]
You are a Loved Child of God – Lectio Divina
Then one day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and was baptized by John there in the Jordan River. The moment Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens open and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descending on him, and a voice from heaven said, “You are my beloved Son; you are my Delight.” Mark 1:9-11 (TLB) “You are my beloved Son; you are my Delight.” Lord you spoke at Jesus’ baptism. We read the words “You are my beloved Son.” Help us remember our baptism too with every splash, sip and shower of water. Whisper into our hearts the same identifying words. When I take a drink, remind me I am your loved child. When I wash my hands, help me feel your delight knowing I am your loved child. When I shower or bathe, let me know your grace and mercy also washes me internally revealing your mark as a loved child of God. When circumstances darken and my soul goes dry, send your soaking spirit to revive my spirit, knowing I am safe in … [Read more...]
Grace Upon Grace – Lectio Divina
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1: 16 Lord I’ve read the first words from John 1 so many times. I praise you that “in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” I marveled that before the earth took form, before all life – You lived. But until today I never noticed the tiny phrase buried deep within the early verses of this well loved Gospel. “Grace upon grace.” God’s amazing grace, your undeserved, often unasked-for and taken for granted mercy and love – not only lavishly given to all of us one time, but over and over again. Like a fountain of cleansing water, your love washes over the world. One blessing after another. More surprises on top of all the wonderful gifts. You created the world – laying a foundation of grace. You continued to walk with humanity, forgiving us as we continued to fail you – more grace. You gave us guidance, laws, lights to shine our path – even more … [Read more...]
Ordinary People from Little Known Places – Lectio Divina
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1: 26-27 Lord I read the other day that Nazareth was a tiny town with probably 500 residents. Mary was an ordinary teenager with all the hopes and dreams of many a girl. Yet you used both this small village and a common unknown person to change the world. And I doubt that you can use me too? I worry that we can’t make a difference in this shattered, fragile world? I live in a town of less than 900 people. I am not well known, famous or loaded with money and talent. Yet you call on me. You call on all of us – to follow you and live like Jesus. Help me heed your invitation. Understand your ways. Share your good news. Be your love. Show me the wisdom to know where you are leading even if it is only one step at … [Read more...]
Testify to the Light – Lectio Divina
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. John 1: 6-8 Lord, let your presence burn inside me, casting light onto my path. Pierce me with your presence. Lord let your brillance shine within my heart, guiding my way and helping others see you. As I ponder our Christmas tree, forever pointing heavenward, leading my eyes up to you, may my life, my attitude, my smile, my compassion, my actions all face your wisdom and love. Clean the mirror of my soul to reflect you better. Show me the ways I hid your radiance and help me remove those barriers. The darkness around me and within me has no power in your presence. You are the light of the world. I am only your echo. Help me tell your good news, the story of your never-ending, all encompassing love. May I be open to your brilliant shining in my … [Read more...]
Keep Awake – Lectio Divina
“And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” Mark 13: 37 Keep awake. Your words are quite clear to me this week, Lord. Keep awake. Help me to find you this Advent season in the hearts of family and strangers and those difficult to love. Enable me to experience your presence in the hectic pace of busyness and amid unexpected delays and interruptions. Open my mind to learn your lessons and my heart to know their value. Shake me from my complacency and cultivate a deeper compassion within me. Stir me with your spirit to serve other unselfishly. Rouse me from my slumber and remove the sleep from my eyes. I want to stay awake, Lord but like the Peter, James and John, daily drowsiness draws my away from you. The stupor of living half conscious numbs my reactions and dulls my vision. I can’t make it on my own. Wake me up Lord. I want to live fully for you, with you, in you. … [Read more...]
Sunday Prayer – Lectio Divina
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25: 35-37, 40 Lord pour compassion into my heart so I reach out to the hungry more often. I have three meals a day plus a cupboard overflowing with snacks and ‘just in case’ food. So many go to bed hungry. Open my hands to help them more. Clear my vision, Lord, so I truly see the stranger and make them feel welcomed. Help me to look deeply and connect with others. Stop me from not connecting and this continual skimming by, barely noticing … [Read more...]
God’s Gifts – Lectio Divina
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matthew 25:14-21, ESV) Lord you are the giver of all gifts. Please take away … [Read more...]