United to God – Reflection on Luke 10:25-37
Have you considered what it means to love the Lord and neighbor with all your soul? We can have an ah-ah moment when we realize that the deeper meaning of “and with all your soul” is quite complex. Prayer alone is not the only way to recognize that our soul participates in Divinity. You can think about how the action of our soul combines with our intellect to form Christian intuitions. One of the more intense realizations comes when we accept that our souls are already united to God. Our spiritual and physical strength combines with divine love, mercy, and compassion, then flows to our neighbors. Once this becomes apparent, your yearning to know, do, and be more will likely increase. As with practice or exercise, we can do more to grow stronger in the unification of mind, body, and soul.
The Good Samaritan, by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 10:25-37 – Scripture*
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 10:25-37 Reflection – United to God.
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on
Additional Thoughts
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 your 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 experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions. Amen.
Attributions
* This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Luke 10.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: United to God
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.