Lectio Divina

by Fr Jean Celestine Ngoma

 

Opening Prayer

Give me, Lord, the deep-grounded desire to love you first and foremost. 

My desire for you is a prayer that never ends.

My desire for you is to dwell in Your house.

Holy Spirit, increase my desire for God!

Let now Your strength empower my weakness.

 

Pause

 

 

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”  He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,  “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.  Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.  And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.”  So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.  When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

(St John 6:5-14, ESVUK)

 

Silence

 

I am marvelled at the way Jesus gazed at the crowds. The refrain that catches my attention is:

Here I am, Jesus, Resting in Your Gaze!

 

Silence

 

2. Meditatio (Rejoice and Reflect)

 

Imagining the Gospel’s scene:  I visualise for a moment the way Jesus looked at the crowds.  Jesus’ gaze implies a motion toward the inside.  He looked at the members of his congregation with recognition, understanding, and compassion.

I also imagine Jesus marvelling at the faith of the crowds despite their lack of basic needs.  Jesus contemplates the marvellous work that His Father has done, gifting his congregation with the fruits of the Spirit, namely, faithfulness and patience.

I creatively say a prayer to bless this significant encounter of Jesus and humanity in need of support using the words of Acts 4:29: “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servant to continue to speak your word with all boldness”.

 

Here I am, Jesus, Resting in Your Gaze!

 

I once more contemplate Jesus lifting His eyes upward towards heaven and praying for me to God the Father.  I also meditate on how He talks inwardly inside my heart, giving me hope and peace.

 

Here I am, Jesus, Resting in Your Gaze!

 

Jesus’ gaze is beyond compare:  I analysed the ways Jesus looks at people in other Gospel scenes.  Jesus’ gaze contrasts with that of the Pharisees.  I imagine Jesus looking at the persistent widow in Luke 18 and the way the Pharisee would look at the same woman.

I have a mental representation of their respective gazes. They are experiencing the same moment, but I can note a few discrepancies.  

I note: “Jesus' gaze is characterised by the following:  

• He sees God’s grace working inwardly in the heart of the widow.
• He does not judge her and his look is not an accusatory one”.

 

Pause

 

Staring at Jesus’ eyes:  I can read that He wants me to convert and live.  He is happy when a sinner comes back to Him the same way, as a parent, I look at my daughters when they make mistakes.  Jesus is happy when He frees me from everything that hinders me from putting Him at the centre of my life.  

Here I am, Jesus, Resting in Your Gaze!

 

New Perception of the Reality:  Jesus the Prophet, King, and High Priest came into the world to usher into our minds a new perception of the reality around us.  I am glad to say that His transfiguration and his death on the cross have deeply influenced my vision of the world around me.  He has helped me re-construct my personal life history.

Jesus, may my unveiled contemplation and my humble participation in your prophetic office, your kingship, and priesthood, continue to transform me into God’s image.

 

Here I am, Jesus, Resting in Your Gaze!

 

 

3. Oratorio (Ask and Respond)

 

Jesus let me learn from the way you look at me so that I may look upon my past behaviours in a manner that pleases you the most.

 

Pause

 

I take this time to engage in a dialogue with Christ and his words and attitudes towards me.

Do I get worried about the way people look at me?

Do I focus too much on my personal imago?

 

Here I am, Jesus, Resting in Your Gaze!

 

Pause

 

I imagine Jesus staring at me. I allow myself to be taken by Jesus' gaze and try to respond to it by saying:

Here I am, Jesus, Son on the most High, Resting in Your Gaze!

 

Pause

 

Thank your God for the gift of the Church which has the prophetical role of transmitting your Divine Revelation.  As one of its humble remnant members, empower me to continue to love this divine channel by which your “Visio Dei” (Vision of God) is guaranteed and stretched over around the world.

 

Pause

 

Lord my God,  you are looking at me the same way Your Son Jesus Christ lifted His eyes to gaze at the large crowd that came towards Him.

Allow me to experience the way you look at me this week.

Let me not focus too much on my own “imago”.

When I worry about the way others look at me, let me remember that Your gaze is that which counts most for me and my family.

 

Here I am, Jesus, Resting in Your Gaze!

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield and pray)

 

As I yield now before your presence Lord, I ask you to be my guide in everything I do during this week.

Here I am, Lord, Resting in Your Gaze!

 

Pause

 

I formulate my trinitarian prayer of the week:

After this time of prayerful rest, I feel moved by your grace to go out and share your divine gaze with the people I will be meeting during this week.

Inspire me, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, with the right words to say.

Holy Spirit, take care of all who faithfully and patiently put their trust in you.

Amen.

 

Exit meditation using Psalm 146.