Hand of the Lord – Luke 1:57-66 Reflection
If you have participated in helping to raise a child to be an adult on their own, I am sure you know the lifelong blessings. As each child becomes family, we feel truly blessed, reminded again by people at their Baptism and other wonderous moments. As we cherish and observe each child throughout their life, we are amazed at how they have learned loving values. They are spreading their solid and independent wings uniquely to bring beauty into the world. These blessed thoughts may resonate with anyone who has participated in this period of wonderous self-sufficiency. Children raised with faith values grow into young adults and we can trust the hand of the Lord to be active in their life.
Portrait of Zacharias and Elizabeth by James Tissot. (full-resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Luke 1:56-66 – Scripture*
The Birth of John the Baptist
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” 62 Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 1:57-66 Reflection – Hand of the Lord.
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 1 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.