Answer Me – Reflection on Mark 11:27-33
I am not alone, as you have also had to answer a call from Jesus. “Answer me” is a time for you to choose the authority of Jesus. For example, years ago, alone in the silence, I found myself in a deep prayer I had never encountered before. I had to make an instant decision to answer Jesus. Was I to continue as a wonderful classic practicing Christian or willingly place myself within Jesus’s burning light. As the micro-seconds ticked by, I reached back to Baptism. Was God truly inside me? Had not the years prepared my heart to be set on fire? I now know from experience what seemed like forever that I had answered yes in a fraction of a second. My mind had caught up with my heart. It was time to bow down, receive heaven’s offer, and accept His authority. Time stood still for a moment to let the love that had entered from deep within flow outward unimpeded by anything. I began to understand that I had to satiate Christ’s thirst so I may not thirst. That first moment continues to take decades to appreciate and mature. It and many other times are merging into who I am, but I have never again resisted answering.
Jesus Walks in the Portico of Solomon, James Tissot, painting at full resolution.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum Website
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 11:27-33 – Scripture*
Jesus’ Authority Is Questioned
27 Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him 28 and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” 31 They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 11:27-33 Reflection – Answer Me.
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 Mark 11 passage.
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