Moment of Surrender – John 15:26-16:4a Reflection
As a teenager, I came close to stumbling into spiritual gluttony, nearly reducing Spirit, Christ, and Father to the point of separation. Fortunately, I realized this was a disruption of an integrated life. I now wear a Trinity Cross as a reminder that I must testify to the impossibilities only faith can explain. Choosing to believe and know Trinity’s presence causes side effects especially if we also place ourselves into a ministerial role. One tough one is that the “other side” constantly tries to destroy our continuous moment of surrender and immersion into Trinity’s unconditional love. On the other hand, there is the glorious ease of understanding that we can physically and spiritually share what we receive from deep prayer, the Word, and Communion.
The Exhortation to the Apostles by James Tissot painting at full resolution.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Eastertide Reflections
John 15:26-16:4a – Scripture*
26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27 You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:4:1-4
“I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. 3 And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. 4 But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 15:26-16:4a Reflection – Moment of Surrender.
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 John 15 and John 16 passages.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum.