Wednesday, January 16, 2019

A "lectio" reflection

     One of my ministries in retirement is radio ministry on the WAOB (We Are One Body) Radio Network broadcast locally at 106.7 FM.  There are occasions when I share reflections on the Scriptures in a "lectio divina" setting during a live program "Drawing Life-Giving Water from Jacob's Well" which is broadcast every evening from the 8:00 to 9:00 hour.  I enjoy the challenge of preparing twelve short reflections - three for each of four readings from Scripture provided to me by the station.  A reading is proclaimed and then there are three reflections, followed by a minute of silent prayer and reflection between each.

     I though that I might share with you three of the reflections from this past Saturday's program where the readings were from the next day's liturgy, which was the Baptism of the Lord.  These thoughts focused on the 3rd chapter of the Gospel of Luke.  Here they are for what they are worth.

     The gospel for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is found in this 3rd chapter of Luke.  We read in verse 15: "The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ."
     In our fast-paced news cycles of today the sense of expectation is greatly diminished.  There are very few announcements or news alerts that are not instantaneous.  I think we have lost something there.
     In the precious gift of new life, the news of a pregnancy may be received joyously or it may be unexpected.  But from that point on we can follow the progress of the child's growth … we can learn of the sex of the child … we can know the health condition of the child long before birth.  Good as all of this can be, it robs us of expectation … of the awaiting of good news.
     It is good to live in hope … to allow our expectations to guide our actions and develop our being.
     Silently pray for a healthy spirit of expectation of the Lord's blessing for you.

     We read in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 3, that John tells the people: "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.  I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
     There is a hymn that we sing that begins "Come thou long expected Jesus …"  If there ever was a time of anticipation, a time of expectation that was long coming, it is found in the prophesy of a Messiah that would save Israel.  Our scriptures tell us of that waiting over and over again.  When it finally came two thousand years ago with that birth in Bethlehem of Judea, the heavens and the earth rejoiced.
     But that birth signaled a new birth for all.  Beginning with Jesus and his ministry, begun when he rose out of the waters of John's baptism, we now set our sight and our hope on a new heaven and a new earth … a return to paradise that will be made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus.  We now live in hope … we anticipate the grace of new life awakening within us … we have an end-goal that requires of us a journey of faith.
     Joining with all of the saints and angels, let us go forth with great expectations.

     In our world we find it hard to know who to put our trust in, who to follow, where to turn.  Everyone tells us that they have the answer, that they are the one, that they are the great hope for the present and for the future.
     We read in Chapter 3 of Luke, in verses 21 & 22, "And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.' "  
     This affirmation comes from God himself.  It is directed to Jesus, to affirm the Father's love and Jesus' ministry of salvation.  It stands at the beginning of his public ministry and the ultimate gift of self-sacrifice that leads to the Cross.  It says to Jesus: You are my Son … I love you … I am proud of you … you honor me.
     It says to us: Look!  This is the long-awaited savior … this is my love given for you … this is your hope, your life, your way to eternal glory.
     Continuing our journey in the Light which is Christ, pray now for all who journey with you, that we may live in hope and joyful expectation.

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