Divine Whispers – John 1:19-28 Reflection
If you are fortunate, you can start your day in your own little desert where the way of the Lord seems straight. Within this time, you can appreciate Christ, John, and others reminding you to walk as the Lord might. Once out of the desert, the ability to do so for the balance of the day is less focused. Divine whispers from within become almost imperceptible. This is because it is hard to hear divine thought within our daily obligations of family, friends, and work. While difficult, to stay straight in the path of the Lord means finding precious moments throughout the day to listen and react to the promptings of the Spirit. A thought that may help is that the morning desert lets our soul gather God’s goodness. We can reach to that thought to give our soul brief moments to call out to the Holy Spirit to calm the din. Undoubtedly, God sees us worthy in our struggle if we can ignore the cacophony even if for a split-second moment.
Saint John the Baptist and the Pharisees by James Tissot. (full-resolution image of painting). More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Christmastide Reflections
John 1:19-28 – Scripture*
The Testimony of John the Baptist
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”
as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 1:19-28 Reflection – Divine Whispers.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 1 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.