SUNDAY GOSPEL LECTIO DIVINA

You may not have the sky open up and a dove descend upon you to validate that you are doing God’s will. But if you are paying close enough attention, you will notice that God does send little signs when he is pleased with your choices. It may come in the form of a genuine smile from a priest you respect, or an unsolicited “I love you” from your child. Moments like this come when we are obedient and simply do whatever Jesus tells us to do: keep God’s commandments, pray, and listen. Never stop listening for God’s voice in your life. A believer can easily become weary if he thinks God is not pleased with all his acts of faith. But if we are listening closely enough, we will notice the smiles and nods God sends our way. And his approval is the only approval we should seek.

The presence of God sustains us when our senses fail us. His presence on earth was sensed by John even when no one else could see him in Mary’s womb. Jesus is often present to us in similar ways, even when we cannot sense him. God has placed a desire for him deep in our hearts, and he desires to be with us. Be silent now and get in touch with that inner longing. In doing so, you will meet the same God that John experienced while in Elizabeth’s womb, and receive the same joy he had.