Lord, Bless Me – Luke 6:17, 20-26 Reflection
From my backyard, I watched the rising sun cast a subtle beam of light over an expanse of golden tassels of corn. With great joy, we can all allow our senses to consume the wonderous beginnings of a new day. Within a brief time, we will exit this wonder and enter a world filled with poverty, sadness, anger, intolerance, and selfishness. Despite these negatives that can bring us down, we hunger for the same taste of morning joy throughout our days. The feeling can be elusive, yet there are solutions. We can use our memory of time with God to let peace rise back to the surface. Like breathing without thinking about it, we can learn to compliment or do something for someone unconditionally. Excising our willpower, we can dedicate time throughout the day or, as necessary, to reach out in grateful prayer: Lord, bless me with Your Glory by awakening me more frequently to Your presence so that Your love can ripple outward through me. Amen
The Sermon of the Beatitudes by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 6:17, 20-26 – Scripture*
17 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon.
Blessings and Woes
20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22 “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
25 “Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 6:17, 20-26 – Lord, bless me.
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 our communities’ young families 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 6.
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: Lord Bless Me
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.
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