Introduction: the next series of the “Lectio Divina” will be on the Gospel of St John which we will help us to reflect upon the themes of Faith, Knowledge and commitment to Jesus the Son of God. The aim of these series is to allow Jesus talk to us through various characters he meets in his life, so that, we too can be persuaded to believe and to know him more deeply in order to commit ourselves entirely to him, and to grow more and more in our relationship with him and the Father.
Initial Prayer
Lord God,
Help me to be docile to see and hear
Your Son’s word so that I may believe
And by believing I may be transformed
And have life to the full.
Amen
‘LECTIO DIVINA’
- Read the Gospel of John 1:29-34; read the text slowly and listen attentively with the ‘ear of your heart’. What word, sentence or phrase stands out for you?
- Reflect: read the text again and pay attention of what touches you; why is it meaningful for you. What thought or reflection comes to you.
- Respond: read the text again but this time respond spontaneously to the word of God. In other words, make a dialogue with God what comes from within you. What gift does this text lead me to ask for from the Lord?
- Stay with the Word: read the text a final time and rest in the word. Allow God to speak to you in deep silence. Don’t say anything just listen to God’s words. What is He saying?
- Take now the word, sentence or phase, into your daily life/activity; allow it to become part of you. Always listen to it, reflect on it, pray over it and rest on it as time allows during the day. Then allow the Word lead you action.
Concluding your ‘Lectio Divina’ with the ‘Our Father’…
Reflection
Introduction: One of the purposes of Johns Gospel is to persuade the Johannine community to believe or to encourage continuing believing in Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. We are invited to be opened to receive his message so that we too may believe and that believing we may have life in his name (20:31). Believing is the first attitude of Jesus’ discipleship and by believing we come to know him more deeply, and by knowing him we may commit ourselves entirely to him as his true disciples.
Central Message: “Look there is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World. This is the one I spoke of…He existed before me…He who sent me to baptise with water…I saw the Spirit come down from heaven like a dove…I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God”.
Main points:
1.- “There is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world”: as John Baptist singled out Jesus to his disciples to be the Lamb of God, he was referring to the Old Testament texts: “the sacrificial Lamb for the expiation of people’s sins” (Lev 14), and the Servant of the Lord who is compared to the Lamb bearing the sins of all and interceding for sinners(Is 53:7-12). The beginning of the Exodus and liberation of the people of Israel from the Egyptians a lamb was slaughtered in the first Passover feast whose blood was used to sign the doors as a symbol of liberation (Ex 12:13-14), and ever since the Jews continue to celebrate that day as the saving Passover of the Lord. But now Jesus the Servant of God is the true Lamb that replaces the Paschal Lamb who liberates God’s people from the slavery of sin and death by sacrificing himself as a ransom for all.
2.- “He exited before me…He us the chosen one of God”: this text refers to the existence of Jesus before any created being. He is referred as God’s Wisdom/Word who was with God from eternity. John the Baptist recognises that he precedes him and that he been sent to announce his coming and so preparing his way. He knows that he is only the voice and not the Word. He has seen and is witness of the ultimate truth that Jesus is the “Chosen One of God” so that we too may believe and by believing having eternal life (Jn. 3:16).
3.- “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven like a dove”: this reminds us of the beginning of Creation where “God’s Spirit hovered over the waters” (Gen 1:2) which described the creating action of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit over all Creation, it’s a creative relationship that generates life. Jesus will continue to do “what he sees his Father doing” (Jn 5:19): re-creating, reshaping, restoring God’s image in human nature. He communicates life, but life to the full (Jn. 10:10).
Some questions for our reflexion:
- Do you recognise the working of the Holy Spirit in you? How?
- How creative are your relationships as opposed to destructive?
- How do you see your life/image being restored?
