Each encounter with the Gospel text brings an opportunity to hear freshly.
This weeks’ text guided our ministry from the very beginning. Our founder, Jean Leih would bring us – our board, our spiritual directors, our community – back, again and again to this text. We kept our ears close to the invitation and heart of Jesus – to join him in his mission of healing, renewal, and freedom. And we would notice how our hearts, our whole body would respond to Christ’s call to us individually and collectively. Our Executive Director, John March, our Board, and spiritual directors continue to serve from this place.
Gathering again this Wednesday, the invitation was extended freshly and encounters unfolded. Often times, in this group, the encounters involve symbolizing the direct experience with simple drawings made with ordinary markers or pencil crayons. Sometimes the drawings are later shared with words. Other times, there are no words. Maybe tears. Maybe a body easing naturally into a more relaxed posture of trust. Whatever comes, we bear witness to the movements of the Holy Spirit within each one. We deepen in our own encounter with Divine Love as we are privileged to hear and see another’s experience.
I am grateful for this little community and the larger community that joins us in prayer through this simple yet profound time of pausing to pray. I bless our listening as we hear Jesus call us again and again to authentically live the message of Good News through our bodies in this world as it is.
May there be fresh grace and new mercies in our listening again and again, each day.
Luke 4:14-21 NRSV
Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding region. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly reflect on this with Jesus.
Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.
Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Luke 4:14-21 The Message
Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit. News that he was back spread through the countryside. He taught in their meeting places to everyone’s acclaim and pleasure.
He came to Nazareth where he had been raised. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,
God’s Spirit is on me;
he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, “This is God’s time to shine!”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.”
