By your Endurance – Luke 21:12-19 Reflection
As a Christian, you constantly have your faith challenged in many ways. It could be how often we are reminded that reflecting on scripture has limited value because it is not proven history. Other more severe challenges are attending church services or the complex influence of spiritual angst and, worse, cruel direct persecution. These marks of attempting to live a saintly life may be visible to you. To humbly persevere in this type of suffering is included in what Jesus means by having a Cross to bear. Successfully bearing the Cross is the best offense to all faith obstructions. By your endurance, hold faith firm, pray, and do not forget that God’s love conquers all, including keeping you safe from all harm. Beyond Jesus, we have numerous examples. I turn to St. John of the Cross for a prayer style that resonates with me. He endured significant trials but confidently states, “The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light.“
The False Witnesses by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 21:12-19 – Scripture*
12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 21:12-19 Reflection – By your Endurance Hold Faith Firm.
Additional Thoughts
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Luke 21 Bible passage.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer 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 experience 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 Luke 21 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: By your Endurance
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.
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