You may have genuinely asked God for a small sign of existence. If God was generous, you might receive various responses. God’s consolations could include a feeling that all will be well, peace, warmth from within, or increased faith. One of the lasting effects of acknowledging God’s existence is the desire to change those things inside that gnaw at us. These accumulating moments of changes can result in something greater such as ongoing multiple conversions of vices into virtues. If you learn in both mind and heart to listen for wisdom, you can grow in the certainty that Christ must be present. It becomes easy to visualize Jesus in the past, is here now, and will be in the future.
The Signs on the Door by James Tissot.
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Jewish Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 11:29-32 – Scripture*
The Sign of Jonah
29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! 32 The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 11:29-32 Reflection – Listen for Wisdom.
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 written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 9 Bible passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Jewish Museum and the Brooklyn Museum websites.