Gifts from God – Reflection on Luke 12:39-48
If we allow the Lord to work with us, we become disciples who receive God-given gifts that are to be used. These God-given gifts bring peace and love to us and are provided to help others. When we walk and talk as disciples, the gift of unconditional love becomes part of who we have become. As we move towards fully accepting Jesus’s embrace, the responsibility intensifies because we come to know the Lord in ways that are difficult to explain. The desire to want to be and do anything Jesus asks of us is always present in our minds, body, and soul. This can be obvious with the people in our lives whom Jesus has entrusted. If you converse with them about their ministry, I am confident you will find they humbly and willingly accept that more will be required from them. Gifts from God include grace, and necessary tools to share and use the grace are for anyone willing to use what is given.
Jesus Discourses with His Disciples by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 12:39-48 – Scripture*
39 “But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
The Faithful or the Unfaithful Slave
41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 47 That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 12:39-48 Reflection – Gifts from God.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer 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 written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 12 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Facebook discussion group on St. John of the Cross.
Facebook page on Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.