OLDER LECTIO DIVINA

Listen and God will reveal different parts of Bible stories you never thought of, even if you have read the passage dozens of times. There are clues hiding in words we tend to skip over. The mystery will go on for our entire lives, if not all of eternity, if we continue to seek the Truth. He will never lead us to a dead end, and he will always have something more to teach us. Praise the Lord with the Cherubim, Seraphim, Thrones, and all the choirs of angels. By reading Scripture attentively, we discover the reasons why these celestial beings, who are pure intellect, can go on praising him for ever. It’s because not even the angels can reach the bottom of God’s endless well of truth, goodness, and beauty.

My Lord and my God,

I believe we all have a doubting Thomas in us. That is why you appeared to all of the disciples, you’re very chosen ones, and gave them all the proof they needed to believe. Like a good parent, you gave them the provisions necessary to go out into the world and preach the Gospel. I pray that you give all of your disciples on earth those same provisions. I pray for faith not just for myself but for all who believe, whether they’re struggling to or not. We’re all going to need more faith at some point in our lives, if not now. Please, protect us from ourselves. Give us genuine reasons to believe in you so we don’t fall back on our own self-righteous attempts to remain steadfast. Only you have the power to sustain our faith. Only you can give that holy gift. I will settle for nothing less than authentic faith from you, the source. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Everything happening around us can be proof of God’s existence if we listen closely enough. God’s oneness surrounds us. He is everything, and yet nothing can contain him. He is more than the universe because he created it and is outside it, but he is also closer to us than our own hearts. God is one in the most perfect sense of the term. He lacks nothing. He is completely self-sufficient and non-contingent. When we unite ourselves with him, we are in need of nothing. So let all your worries go and come rest in him.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for existence. Thank you for always being here. Help me to always recognize your presence so I don’t grasp for the illusions in this world. Just as Jesus prays, I want to be one with you. I want all of humanity to be one with you in heaven. I want to be united to that never-ending font of love and share that love with everyone. Help me to be one who believes. In Jesus’ name. –Amen.

The teachings of Christ are glorious. They are unlike anything the world has ever been given. Christ’s teachings are not just words, they are encapsulations of the truth, goodness, and beauty found throughout all of creation. When we unpack them, the connections we see between them and life in general are endless. This is why it behooves us to listen closely whenever Christ speaks. There will always be something profound in his words that we can learn.

I do love you, Jesus. I detest my sins because they offend you, not just because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. Forgive me of my sins, and teach me how to use the gift of the Holy Spirit that you gave me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I give you a new commandment, "love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another."

The connection between unity and love here is clear. Jesus just got done teaching the disciples how he glorifies the Father and the Father glorifies him. The loving relationship between himself and the Father was apparent while Jesus sojourned on earth with them. Now that he is leaving, though, things will be different. His followers will no longer have that apparent example given to them by Jesus’ deeds and testimony. They will have to convey that love between themselves to keep the Gospel alive. This is how the world will know they are Jesus’ followers, because no one else championed love more than Jesus. No one else chose love over everything else like he did. Only through the strength Christ gives us, can we choose love in the same fashion. Praise be to God.

Dear Lord, I praise you for your unconditional love, and for how you convey it through Christ your son, and through your saints. Help me to be more like them, to show your love to the world, no matter how hard it may be. I only ask that you give me a glimpse of the glory that awaits those who live as your good and faithful servants. This small token of your grace will be the hope that sustains me. May my hope for heaven give me the strength to love here on earth. But also, help me to love unconditionally, seeking nothing in return, just as Jesus did. In His name I pray, Amen.

“My sheep hear my voice”

The truth is a person. His name is Jesus Christ. Therefore, the truth has a voice. When we know Jesus, we recognize that voice. We can distinguish it from a crowd of other voices. We can discern when he is speaking and when he is not.

Lord Jesus,

I also pray that we may be one, just as you and Jesus are one. We want to be your sons and daughters, to share in the divine nature and live the divine life in Christ, our Lord and Savior. There truly is none greater than you, God our Father. As we sojourn in this valley of death, be our rod and staff. Comfort us and lead us to the heavenly gates that seem so far yet so close. You are holy. You alone are good. Keep us among your flock. Help us to always recognize your voice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The apostles listened to Jesus. They cast their nets on the right side of the boat and pulled in a great catch. Sometimes it all seems too easy: just listen to God and he will provide. So often we want to just do things our own way, thinking we know better. Just listen. Let’s not make things more difficult than they need to be. Sometimes the listening part of lectio divina calls us to be silent and still so we can hear God. Other times it tells us to listen as in being obedient. This time the Lord is telling us to just be obedient. In doing so we will enjoy God’s abundant grace.

Lord Father,

Some days it really does seem like I’m catching nothing. Peter can relate. But he also swam to you as soon as you provided the fish. Please help me to have faith in the fact that it is indeed you who provides, and not mere coincidence. When Peter saw the nets filled with fish, he knew it was from your providence. Every time you provide for me, I am tempted to think that it’s just good luck or something. But it is you. I should proclaim that just as John did. He said, “It is the Lord!” That is what I should say, while remembering this Gospel passage, everytime you provide. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Jesus’ introductory words to the disciples when he met them after his resurrection were, “Peace be with you.” This peace quelled the storm of fear the disciples were experiencing. Our hearts are restless until they rest in God, said St. Augustine. I now think of this scene in the Gospel when I hear that quote. The disciples were restless, then Jesus came and they had peace.

Lord Jesus, I invite you to come, although the doors are locked. I invite you to break into the parts of my heart, my soul, and my life that I keep closed. You are my Lord and my God. Nothing compares to the peace you have to offer. Even though I search for something else everywhere else, nothing satisfies me like you. You are the Risen Lord and you show the way to paradise. Help me to follow you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Not only did the disciples just have their dear friend and leader taken from them through brutal murder. Now there’s the possibility that his body was stolen. At this time they are dodging their persecutors, running and hiding in fear. Through it all, Jesus is telling them to take a deep breath. Take a step back and notice what is happening. When times are darkest, the light penetrates it all the more. We can’t notice this if we let the din of our fears fill our heads, though. We have to quiet our minds and hearts, free them of all our worry, listen closely for God in the silence, and see things the way they really are. When we do that we see that God’s got this. He has it all under control. He knew dark times had to come, but he prepared the way to paradise for us if we could just endure it all and keep our eyes on him. Let’s keep a positive attitude this Easter season and notice that death–and all hardships–are not endings but new beginnings.

Dear Resurrected Jesus,

I can see you smiling in the shadows this year as Peter and John discovered the empty tomb. The time to reveal yourself to them in your resurrected body had not yet come. That time would come later. Nonetheless, you never abandoned them. This is where the waters of faith run deepest. When things seem most bleak, you’re still right beside me and in fact you are preparing the way for something greater. So when times are toughest, I ask for the strength to realize that these are just growing pains. You are teaching me to endure so I could experience better times ahead in paradise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As we prepare for this Sunday’s long Gospel, let’s remember to just listen. Just close your eyes and picture the story unfolding before you. We have to hear this story every year, at least every year, because there is so much to learn from it. Every line is packed with truth, wisdom, and beauty. Every time we read it, if we listen closely enough, something new will stand out for us. What stands out for you this time?

Dear Jesus,
I would gladly give my life to spare yours, but that wasn’t your plan. Instead, you gave your life to spare mine. Now I can live on for eternity and face death with the hope of heaven. All I need to do is follow you. It’s simple but not easy. I pray for the faith, hope, and love I need to be your disciple. It is so difficult to do in a world that wants to crucify your body, the Church. I get caught in the web of lies designed to draw people away from you all of the time. But there you are through it all, and if I am willing to look for you I will find you. You hold fast to the truths you taught, you remain the spotless lamb who died for our sins so we can have a clearer view of heaven. Help me to keep that hope and faith alive. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.