Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s gospel, Jesus redefines the bonds of kinship in his family: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Luke 8:21). As Christians, we are all called into a closer relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. This intimacy is even deeper than that of family ties. And the evidence of its genuineness is our attentive listening to God’s Word and our making His precepts the core of our lives.
What does it mean to “hear” God’s word and “act on it?” Jesus is calling us to far more than passive listening to motivational messages of encouragement. St. Benedict began his famous Rule for monks with the words “Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.” Listening from the heart involves the whole person.
We attend to God’s word by diligent, prayerful meditation on the Scriptures—what is known as lectio divina. We slowly chew upon a word or phrase from the Bible, break it apart, and allow it to interact with all that is happening in our lives. We enter into a loving conversation with God about the meaning of that text in the midst of all our fears, desires, anxieties, discouragement, and sin. God’s word serves as nourishment for our souls. It becomes a part of us—just as food becomes a part of our body—and eventually transforms us into His likeness. That’s how we become mothers, brothers, and sisters of Jesus.
“Lord Jesus, open my heart to hear your word. ‘Guide me in the way of your commands,’ (Ps 119:35) and claim me as a beloved member of your family.”
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections