Unconditional Love – Luke 17:7-10 Reflection
Have you begun, or have you felt compelled to give yourself to others without expectation? If so, you are in the dawn of accepting God’s love emerging from within to do, be, and give this love. Are you putting your human desires aside to please God? Perhaps you have comprehended that everyone deserves the same place at God’s table. When we grow aware of these conditions, we are attracted to move in potential non-exclusive directions. One type of direction is to move toward those who have yet to witness mercy with unconditional love. Another is to seek out those who have less and, without pride or feeling superior, offer to serve them in some capacity. There are other possibilities, but directions like this are more obvious. All these directions are available with assistance from Christ, family and friends as you discern what is designed just for you.
The Exhortation to the Apostles by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 17:7-10 – Scripture*
7 “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? 8 Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? 9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 17:7-10 Reflection – Unconditional Love.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on 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 permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 20 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.