Give Received Grace Away – Reflection on Matthew 7:21-29
To be a Christian means actively participating in what others might call coincidences. Christians know them as divine inspiration, intuition, God moments, and the whispers of the Father’s will for us. These moments create an unshakable foundation of faith, superseding our human nature. Despite life’s buffeting, the grace of hearing Jesus’ words in faith “lifts us up” closer to the divinity of our soul within, calling out in praise and gratefulness to God. Grace builds upon grace, and we have no choice but to joyfully give received grace away.
Jesus Discourses with His Disciples by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 7 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
Concerning Self-Deception
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’
Hearers and Doers
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!”
28 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 7:21-29 Reflection – Give Received Grace Away.
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 various forms of expression 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 the distractions of the world. Amen
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 7 passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Give Received Grace Away
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.