Have you dared to look deep into your heart to know if you are the Christian Jesus wants you to be? If so, you are suffering in silence in some spiritual way. St. John of the Cross explains that it is virtually impossible to be like Jesus without knowing some form of spiritual discomfort. Physical discomforts that do not have a direct spiritual effect sometimes may not be “taking up the cross.” There are also opposite, more positive signs. Signs include that, in limited proportion, you are offering your life by loving, praying, being present, or doing for others. We must be cautious in the spiritual world to not leave behind the joy, wonder, and happiness of being both fully divine and fully human.
Jesus Teaches the People by the Sea by James Tissot.
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 8:34-9:1 – Scripture*
34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 9:1 – Scripture
1 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 8:34-9-1 Reflection – Offering your life.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings or other contemplative material to this Web-based 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 the world’s distractions.
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 8 and Mark 9 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.