”Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world….” When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile toward him and to cross-examine him about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say. (Lk. 11:47-54)
Sometimes I have those moments in prayer when Jesus is speaking to me directly about something that is standing between him and me. “Are you ready to see this?” he seems to ask. “What if you let go of what you’re clinging to? It’s okay if it takes you a while to receive this truth. Don’t run from me.”
There are many times when on a human level I deflect this loving request. Or pass off what he is showing me as something not that serious. Or pretend I don’t get what he’s asking.
But we both know I do.
Other times I might feel a shame sweetened by my love for him. I want to be more completely his, but I’m not there yet.
And we both know it.
I see these moments as Jesus just being my Good Shepherd.
In every exchange in the Gospels, Jesus approaches people with the desire for them to know his love and what he desires for them. The “woes” that are listed in Luke 11 could sound very harsh. I hear them as the words of a Lover who is making a desperate attempt to get through to someone he loves when he has tried everything else. I recently read the story of an actor who struggled with drug addiction. After decades of loving and pleading and helping and being with her, her husband finally said something like, “One more time and I’m out of here!” Harsh words. Loving words. Words that expressed the anguish of his heart that was breaking seeing the decisions she was making and what she was doing to herself. It was enough for her to enter rehab and change directions, because she didn’t want to lose a husband who really, deeply cared about her.
The response of the scribes and Pharisees to Jesus’ words was hostility.
Let our response when Jesus brings some area of our life to our attention be different. Let us sense how strong his love for us is, how great his dreams for our lives. Let us be patient and gentle with ourselves, but earnest in our yes to him.
“Jesus, you see me as I am, but even more, you love me no matter what you see. Let me learn from this moment of truth, of facing what is real in myself. And let me know that it does not define me. Give me courage to face what you show me without running, without pretending. Give me gentleness toward myself, as you are gentle with me. For I am yours, rooted in your love, saved in your mercy. Amen.”
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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.
