which Way?

Published on by Dawn Marie
gospel john
Photo from Unsplash – by Anthony Garand.

One gospel.

Two choices.

“which Way have I chosen this lenten season?” Lord.

“Lectio Divina”, a Latin term, means “divine reading” and describes a way of reading the Scriptures whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. Notice what you think and feel as you read the gospel.

jesus
Photo from Unsplash – by Scott Rodgerson.

“The Jews took up stones again to stone him.  Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father.  For which of these are you going to stone me?”  The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.”  Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’?  If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’ – and the scripture cannot be annulled – can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?  If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me.  But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”  Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there.  Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”  And many believed in him there.  John 10:31-42

tree of life
Photo from Unsplash – by Simon Wilkes.

Two different places.

Two different attitudes.

One of rejection.

One of welcome.

“What has my attitude been this lenten season, Lord?”

woman contemplation prayer
Photo from Unsplash – by Keem Ibarra.

Have I rejected you?

Or have I believed all that you have revealed to me these past 40 days?

Let me take your words to heart, Lord. Help me examine my life and break free of the things that enslave me, especially that which keeps me from believing in You.

jesus3
Photo from Unsplash – by Peter Feghali.

 

jesus2
Photo from Unsplash – by Robert Nyman

Lord, many oppose you and deny your divinity, often bitterly.  I pray for them, and I thank you for being willing to suffer such rejection.  Forgive me for when I have rejected you and your Way, Jesus.  But please know that always – I am yours.

alleluia
Photo from Unsplash – by Eberhard Grossgasteiger.

hugs & blessings as we enter the Holy Week & extra-special ones to all those who walk His Way of the Cross, in solidarity with all those who suffer for His name.  

May your lenten amens lead you to an alleluia Easter!

lamb
Photo from Unsplash – by Rod Long.

13 thoughts on “which Way?”

  3. How do we explain a religious group that has “taken up stones to again stone him” (defiantly refusing to accept Jesus as the son of God), as God’s “Chosen People”?

    From the Jewish perspective the following has been written:

    “Most Jews hold that being the “Chosen People” means that they have been placed on earth to fulfill a certain purpose. Traditional proof for Jewish “chosenness” is found in the Torah, the Jewish bible, in the Book of Deuteronomy (chapter 14) where it says: “For you are a holy people to Hashem your God, and God has chosen you to be his treasured people from all the nations that are on the face of the earth.” In the Book of Genesis (chapter 17) it also written: “And I [G-d] will establish My covenant between Me and you [the Jewish people] and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.”

    I hope as people read your posts and emotionally attach themselves to the content, they see that God loves ALL people. I hope that people seek the overlapping commonalities that all religions share to promote a healthier attitude and awareness for greater tolerance and acceptance. I hope that religious context is taken as a whole rather than narrowly read as “blurbs” supporting potentially misrepresented ideas providing “ammunition” for hatred rather than love and kindness that ALL organized religions are truly based on.

    I know the basis of your posts share important messages designed to bring the reader closer to God. I just hope that misunderstandings can be avoided in the process of sharing your kindness. Passages referring to any religious group that intentionally assault leaders of other religions can initiate negative emotional responses. I know how dedicated you are to your faith and hope your messages promoting the importance of serving God (regardless of individual religious beliefs) outweighs any potential negative sentiments that may accidentally be misinterpreted by your readers.

    With all that being said, I wish you and your family much joy and happiness during your coming Easter. I hope your spiritual guidance keeps you well grounded as you pursue your ongoing blessed mission(s) in life.

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    1. Thank you for your excellent points, Doc! And indeed there was NO intention on my part to call out any one particular religion or faith expression. Using the ‘Lectio Divina’ method of reading scripture, which I referenced in my post, I highlighted the words which spoke to MY heart. They were ‘attitudes’ I became aware of when reading these passages from John’s gospel. Attitudes of rejection & acceptance. That was the only message I was focusing on & my personal reflection on this- which I do believe speaks directly to the point you were making. And ultimately, we must always remember JESUS WAS a Jew! (giggles.) But he was rejected by some of his own. While still others (Jews themselves) embraced Him for who He was. (I AM.) Even today this same scenario continues, with fallen away Christians as well. And despite how dearly I love him…I have fallen into those ranks, at certain times in my own life. Questioning, debating, ignoring, disbelieving, but never letting go…. Praise be He is a patient God – and continues to love me despite my attitudes. And therefore, I apologize if I failed Him in the writings of this post. But I do know He knows my heart & I will pray others who read it will know it too. Thank you for sharing your own Lectio Divina. Hugs & Blessings, dear cyber-space friend!

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      1. Please do not misunderstand my comment. The point of your post concerning acceptance and rejection is an important concept to embrace. Certainly no need for an apology. I know where your heart and intentions are. 🙂

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      2. Not to worry – I appreciate the opportunity you offered to clarify the true intentions of my heart through your concerns of potential misunderstandings! God is good and He instills peace every opportunity we invite it in. HUGS!!

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    2. With all due respect, the intended purpose of this bible text in John is not to isolate and put down Jews as the oppressors. We are all jews (metaphorically speaking). Our sins have put Jesus to death. We are all sinners, We hurt God and His Son through sin over and over again. There are godly elements in all religions, there is only one God.

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      1. Thank you for your explanation. There will always be some looking for passages to scapegoat various segments of our population. I shared this thought to help those with GOOD intentions realize that passages are often misinterpreted by those looking for reasons to “hate” segments of our population. I know that the writer of this post is a kind, gentle woman with admirable qualities. It is the unknown reader I added my comment. Thank you again for adding your comment to this dialogue.

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  5. Beautiful words DAwn Marie, I love ‘lectio divina”‘ so much comes from the Holy Spirit at work. I love John’s gospel too, one of the more intimate ones written(written by himself), I say, if a person produces good fruits(spiritual ones) then they are real, just like Jesus who produced all of these:- love, kindness, patience, forgiveness, acceptance, inclusiveness, selflessness and more, He was real. God bless ❤

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