What are your expectations from friends, family, and strangers? Do you want the warmth of their love, and isn’t trust near the top of your list? What about mutual respect, faith in each other, and dependability? If we are not giving to them that we would like from them beforehand, how can we expect others to help us in our worst of times? From personal experience, I know we can feel confident with close friends. However, Jesus does not expect us to step into the lion’s den haphazardly but to ask the Spirit to participate in our trusting others. We can think about helping in ways such as prayer that does not jeopardize our safety yet still allows us to be kind. The truth is that we need to be grateful that anyone can knock on our door at any time. God stands ready to rain grace upon grace upon those with an open door in their hearts.
Jesus Discourses with His Disciples by James Tissot
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Matthew 7:7-12 – Scripture*
Ask, Search, Knock
7 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10 Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
The Golden Rule
12 “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 7:7-12 Reflection – Knock on our Door.
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 Matthew 7 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.