While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
Luke 11:29-32
“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
This Gospel passage hints at one question we should all be asking ourselves: Am I serving God?
This one question guided Saint John Paul II, as can be seen through his meditations and reflections handwritten in his personal diaries between 1962 and two hours before his death. (These are available in the book In God’s Hands: The Spiritual Diaries of Pope John Paul II.)
John Paul II was a pope of the Catholic Church, powerful, influential statesman on the world scene, and a devout man who transformed lives and nations with his charisma. His diaries, however, reveal him to be first and foremost a selfless servant of God. For over forty years, from his bishopric in Krakow, to his election to the papacy, to his final years, this one question guided him: “Am I serving God?”
In one note in his diaries in 1981, the then Cardinal Wojtyla wrote his reflections after a theological discussion with other priests:
“The word of the Lord. Do I love the word of God? Do I live by it? Do I serve it willingly. Help me, Lord, to live by your word,” he wrote. “Do I serve the Holy Spirit that lives in the Church?”
Jesus personally approaches each of us as the way, the truth, and the life of humanity. Each of us has been given a role to play in the unfolding of the mystery of salvation in the world. The most important question we can ask ourselves is this: “Am I serving God?”
The adventure of the radical discipleship required to follow Jesus will put us squarely in situations that will help us recognize those areas in which we aren’t yet serving God completely. Where we need conversion. Where we need hope. Where we need to give ourselves more wholly to love.
Over and over Jesus calls. Again and again, we are given the capacity to respond.
Jesus is, indeed, patient. Yet what he wants to give to us is so great that he will do everything possible to keep us from dilly-dallying along the way. He will prod our consciences and awaken us from our sleep.
Today, identify the one question you will write at the top of every journal page and allow God to ask you at the beginning of every day until your heart leaps up with a resounding “Yes! I will serve you with all that I am and all that I have!”
Image credit: Thomas J. O’Halloran, photographer, U.S. News & World Report magazine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Praying with this Passage of Scripture
Lectio Divina is a way of listening to God as he speaks in his Word. It is a practice of communicating with God through Scripture and attending to God’s presence and what he wishes to tell us. In this slow and prayerful reading of the Word of God, we allow ourselves to be transformed by the Spirit who forms us into the image of Christ. There are four movements in Lectio Divina: Read (lectio), Meditate (meditation), Pray (oratio), Contemplate (contemplation).
Begin by finding a still space to pray. Breathe deeply and become quieter within. Abandon any agenda, worries or thoughts you bring to this prayer and entrust these things to the merciful care of God. Ask for the grace to be receptive to what God will speak to you through this Scripture reading. Grant me, Jesus Divine Master, to be able to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God and your unfathomable riches. Grant that your word penetrate my soul; guide my steps, and brighten my way till the day dawns and darkness dissipates, you who live and reign forever and ever Amen.
Read (lectio)
Begin by slowly and meditatively reading your Scripture passage out loud. Listen for a particular word or phrase that speaks to you at this moment and sit with it for a time.
Pray (oratio)
Read the text a third time. Listen for what God is saying to you. Speak heart to heart with God. Notice the feelings that this conversation with God raises up within you. Share with God what you notice about your response to this conversation. You may wish to return to repeating the phrase quietly and gently, allowing it to permeate you more and more deeply.
Contemplate (contemplatio)
Read the text a final time. Now be still and rest in God’s embrace. Ask God to give you a gift to take with you from this prayer. You might ask God if he is inviting you to do some action, for instance, make some change in your thoughts, attitudes or reactions, in the way you speak or how you treat others. Thank God for this gift and invitation as you conclude your prayer.
Image: Myriams-Fotos; pixabay.com
Touching the Sunrise 
I wish I could do this…but never got much out of it when done on days of reflections and retreats long ago…I just seem so lost…
LikeLike
I am at the stage in my spiritual journey that like st JohnPaul II I am too asking for the grace to serve The Lord as he wants me too. I am praying for the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit to be open to the opportunity to serve God without hesitation. Thank you Lord for your inspiration and guidance in your word sacraments and servants.
LikeLike