Grace Blazing in Our Eyes – Luke 11:14-23 Reflection
What do we hear in our restlessness and desire to change the world? Distractions that cause us to do this or that, or do we more appropriately ignore the noise and allow the embrace of Jesus’s love? As a weapon against evil, the gift of love yields a reflected smile, words cast towards a need, or grace blazing in our eyes. Ah, for a moment, the truth that love provides the strength to resist divisions is received with a grateful prayer. We gather with others in Christ’s Kingdom from within and the known and unknown multitudes. I pray this thought of being surrounded by those who unconditionally give of themselves will ripple in your actions today. My Christian hope is that everyone’s future tomorrow(s) will lead toward a constant love of God that becomes like breathing.
Jesus Heals a Mute Possessed Man by James Tissot.
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 11:14:23 – Scripture*
Jesus and Beelzebul
14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 16 Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 11:14-23 Reflection – Grace Blazing in our Eyes.
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 Luke 11 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.