How easily can you say, “Yes, Lord, your servant is listening,” when you know that Jesus is calling you? When we reflect on our past, we realize we have missed calls. We can remember and learn from the times when we lost the opportunity to do God’s will. There are also times when there is a call, but we cannot discern or understand it because of its subtle nature. The reasons can include that the other side is tempting our ego, we feel unqualified or convinced our light is already burning bright enough. Regardless, if we listen and respond, more will be given and measured out to use beyond our expectations. When we contemplate God’s generosity in our stillness, we allow Jesus’s love to surface.
Jesus Discourses with His Disciples by James Tissot
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 4:21-25 – Scripture*
A Lamp under a Bushel Basket
21 He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23 Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. 25 For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”
Additional thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 4:21-25 Reflection – More will be Given.
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 Mark 4 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.