Unconditional Love – Reflection on Matthew 11:20-24
Like many others, I have my own story of overpowering the evil of 9/11. I was very close to being a victim as the plane I was on landed in DC minutes before the plane crashed into the Pentagon. It’s a long story, but the military arranged a car so I could drive a long, sweeping arc back to my wife and children in Massachusetts. The entire country was frozen in fear, grief, and pain. The overall turmoil of 9/11 sent me repeatedly to my favorite prayer rock in the forest behind my home. I prayed that God would give peace to the families of the victims of the tragedy. The desire for internal transformation for myself and those suffering overpowered my thoughts. It took some time to understand and tolerate the angst of empathy, but unconditional love emerged deep within. If you have experienced the down and up cycle of tragedy but kept your prayer life strong, then you know this condition. Prayer lets us inhale and exhale God’s love so it can flow outward to even those unknown who need it.
Jesus Teaches the People by the Sea, by James Tissot (full resolution painting) and for more details at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 11:20-24 – Scripture (NRSV Bible)
Woes to Unrepentant Cities
20 Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades.
For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina Matthew 11:20-24 Reflection – Unconditional Love.
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 experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Matthew 11.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Unconditional Love
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.