EVANGELIO DEL DOMINGO LECTIO DIVINA

Have we met Jesus? Do we have a personal relationship with him? Most of us have been asked these questions by evangelical Christians. The inquiry may often fall on deaf ears or be met with rolling eyes, but perhaps every now and then we should ask ourselves the question, even if we believe we already have met him. Jesus may be in our lives, trying to reach us, in ways we don’t recognize. He may be that subtle truth we keep pushing to the back of our minds but won’t leave us alone. He may be a simple word we keep stumbling across when we read Scripture and in our daily lives. That’s why we do lectio divina, to quiet our hearts and listen to where Christ may be reaching out to us in ways we may not recognize.

Put aside whatever worries you may have about the holiday season for a moment. How does God want to enter into your life in a new way this Advent? Quiet your heart and mind so it is ready for the infant Jesus. Let him surprise you with the simplicity of his innocent smile. Sometimes that’s all we need.

What is God saying to you in this week’s Gospel? Perhaps he has blessed you with something, but you don’t know how to use it to give him greater glory. Are you waiting for the right moment to share your gifts with the world? God may be calling you to share them with others today. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 15:16).

Kilby is a freelance writing from New Jersey and managing editor of Catholic World Report.

This Sunday’s Gospel is about humility and service. We listen to God, humbly accepting the message he has for us. On top of that though, hopefully, this Gospel’s message will help us humbly listen to other people as we seek to serve them. This ought to be our goal in every encounter. I can’t even recall how many times I’ve been reluctant to even talk to people because I knew my selfish intentions, or I had too much self-concern. This is all the opposite of humility. If we listen to others and seek out what they need, we can approach anyone and everyone more humbly and more confidently, knowing that our goal is to find ways to serve them. 

Kilby is a freelance writing from New Jersey and managing editor of Catholic World Report.