Lectio Divina

by Fr Jean Celestine Ngoma

 

I choose an Initial Prayer:

My Lord, in your presence I want to prepare my heart for this moment of prayer.

Send your Holy Spirit to enlighten me and open my mind and heart to everything You want to tell me today. Thank you Lord, for nourishing me with your Word.

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea...  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven."

(St Matthew 18:1-6, 10, ESVUK)

 

Silence

 

I feel nudged to ponder on the keyword of Jesus’ discourse on the community: “the little ones”.

Choose the refrain: “Jesus cares for me, a little one in the Spirit!

 

 

2. Meditatio (Rejoice in the Lord and Reflect)

 

As I was reflecting on the meaning of the word "greatness" in our society today, the image of a young influencer, a close relative of us came to my mind.

I asked myself what the concept of "greatness" means for her?   I imaginatively write an answer to that question. Greatness for her would mean having more views on social media and creating content which has huge impact worldwide on Instagram.  I am sure that she always thinks about becoming more trendy, having a higher audience or a higher number of views, and above all, I am one hundred percent sure that she is busy looking for higher brand deals!

While talking to us, I could see that her content and her audience feedback matter a lot to her.

We like her confidence and positive vibes. Talking with her made me think about what it means to be great in this world and in the world to come as a Christian.

 

Pause

 

The greatest?  I asked myself why the question of who is the greatest was raised in the inner circle of Jesus Christ.

One would not expect such a question within the inner circle of our Lord Jesus given the fact that each disciple had reached a deep level of communion with Jesus by then. They should have known by that time that the spirit of competition or unchecked desire to be the greatest is contrary to the Gospel of humility that they were called to witness and proclaim in words and deeds and that comparison could lead to envy, rivalry, and jealousy within and outside the community.

Jesus’ challenge is clear in the text: you have to become a "little one". This is the good news, a new theory of the concepts of greatness, powerfulness, or being important in the community.  

Acting in a gracious way: the grace of God does fill my heart with joy when I enact in my relationships with my fellow human beings the Christlike and childlike attitudes of patience, compassion, forgiveness, and humility.

I have to grow down toward the periphery and let Christ, by his grace, lift me more and more.  It is a requirement for sequela Christi (following Christ), the only way to identify myself with Christ.

God, through the death and resurrection of Christ, has given me both the will and power to enact His gracious way. (cf. Philippians 2:13).

Jesus cares for me, a little one in the Spirit!

 

 

3. Oratorio (Ask and Respond)

 

How does this gospel passage enlighten my life?  What traits of Jesus or images of God do I find in it?

The text reminds me that my divine call is to be humble and that I should not impose myself as someone wiser or greater than others, but I should instead focus on my Christian aspiration.

 

I aspire to gain Christ more and more in my life. The words of Saint Paul echo in my mind: Aspire to live quietly, and to mind my own affairs, and to work with my hands ( cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:11)… so that I may not have stress, grieve like others who have no hope. This may be better than being famous and complicated.

 

Pause

 

I meditate upon the image of Jesus, who identifies himself as the one who cares for children:

Jesus cares! I focus on the image of my daughters who always mess up things.  They do it over and over.  I remember again that day, when one of them told me, "my job as your daughter is to play and your job as a father is to clean up."  So, her father must clean up everything!  Jesus cares for me, a little one in the Spirit!

Jesus cares! Thinking about all those moments when I am at work, raising my daughters, boosting their self-confidence, and above all creating moments for them to meet Jesus Christ in their lives.  I am always busy doing something for them: cleaning up a messy table, and a messy living room with toys scattered everywhere, but also picking them up from school, playing games, and preparing meals… Jesus cares for me, a little one in the Spirit!

Jesus cares!  Remembering all those moments I ensured that my daughters were safe: when we were out or when they were alone playing: I keep an eye on them.

Nothing is hidden from God's sight! Jesus cares for me, a little one in the Spirit!

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield and pray)

 

As I begin this week, let me turn my thoughts to You, and ask Your help in guiding me in everything I say and I do today.

 

Pause

 

I aspire to live quietly, to mind my own affairs, and to work with my hands today.

So that no stress and grief may find their home in my heart.

Using a personalised prayer of comfort and protection of the just man, the little one in the Spirit, I say:

I am a child of God:

Because I dwell in the shelter of the Most High

and l abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Because God is my refuge and fortress,

News headlines bring anxiety,

but as for me, I can rest in the promises of God:

no evil shall be allowed to befall me, no plague come near my tent because

My Father in heaven will command his angels concerning me

to guard me in all my ways because He cares. (cf. Psalm 91)

 

Jesus cares for me, a little one in the Spirit!