Lectio Divina

by Fr Jean Celestine Ngoma

 

Opening Prayer

Dear Jesus, I believe you have called me to follow you more closely.

May this prayer help me see the concrete implications of your will.

I love you, and I want to respond to everything you ask of me, today and always.

Thank you for watching over me and guiding me towards heaven.

 

Pause

 

 

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

(St Matthew 4:18-20, ESVUK)

 

Silence

 

I choose the phrase: “Walk towards me, Lord!”  as a petition to guide me during my meditation of the living Word of God today.

 

Silence

 

 

2. Meditatio (Rejoice and Reflect)

 

I contemplate Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee.  He is walking around  with the same feet He used to go out to bring people peace in their hearts.  That’s what Jesus does: he comes inwardly toward us and sanctifies us.  He walks toward people to make common cause with them.

 

• Walk towards me, with the same feet you used to bless people; knock at the door of my heart and give me peace.

 

Jesus’ divine initiative: It is Him who walks towards the disciples.  The intention comes from him.  In our divine relationship with Jesus, the initiative always comes from Him and not from us. His walk towards us is part and parcel of God’s logic as framed by 1 St John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved me and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

 

Pause

 

I meditate upon the encounter of Jesus with Simon Peter and Andrew as being a successful job interview session. The two candidates were invited to that job interview, paradoxically I see the employer walking out of his office to meet the interviewees.

I creatively meditate upon the two key responsibilities of the job, namely compassionate healing ministry and incarnational ministry:   

 

Compassionate Healing Ministry:  While Jesus was walking toward the disciples, he was certainly moved with compassion for them and for the people they would later be called to minister.

I contemplate Jesus weeping at the death of Lazarus… He weeps when I weep but his tears transform my weeping into Joy!  Make me a shareholder of your tears-wiping ministry, O Lord.

 

Incarnational Ministry: Walking towards the disciples reveals that Jesus was a man like me.  He walks towards and into St Peter and St Andrew’s lives, eating and drinking with the two fishermen. Jesus assumed the human condition in everything except sins. 

When he walks towards me, he subdues and defeats evils that attempt to enslave my mind and soul.

 

 

3. Oratorio (Ask and Respond)

 

Reflecting on the week that has passed, Lord, show me where You were at work in my life.

In what ways did I share your healing compassion?

When did I hear You speak and did You invite me to make common cause to the “the poorest and most abandoned”?

 

Walk towards me Lord and whisper Your divine love in my mind now.

 

Silence

 

I contemplate the various moments where Jesus wiped my tears especially when I lost one of my siblings.  I asked the question: why me Lord?  But He was with me during this crossing-over moment.  He walked towards me to support and encourage me in my trials and my sorrows blending my body and mind with the necessary strength and hope I needed at that time.  

 

Pause

 

And me?  Do I feel the same compassion towards everyone I meet?

Do I put the little energies and strength I have at the service of the life and happiness of my fellow human beings?

Does my smile enlighten the life of others?

Walk towards me, Lord!  Walk towards me, Lord...

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield and pray)

 

Jesus, in this heart-to-heart moment, I want to remember the people who have helped me to get to know You.  I want to thank You for Your support and pray for them.

I also ask for the grace, just as Peter and Andrew did, to recognize Your presence amid of my busy daily activities so that my words and deeds give testimony to Your amazing grace towards me.

 

Pause

 

Help me to respond with love, a love that outweighs all my other loves, tastes, and desires.

Give me the courage and generosity to give myself to You, whatever the cost.

I pray now for people who act as enemies of my soul.

Walk towards towards them, Lord, and forgive them.

 

Dialogue with Christ

Allow me to experience the joy of Your call in my life.

I want to witness and share Jesus' love for me today.

I want to demonstrate Jesus' love today.

I want Jesus to walk towards me and meet me today.

Today, I will hear His voice

And will not harden my heart. (cf. Hebrew 3:15)

 

Walk towards me, Lord!  Walk towards me, Lord...

 

Amen +