Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Read the following Scripture two or three times:
Luke 18:1-
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He
said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a
widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For
a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he though, “While it is true that I neither fear God nor
respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest
she finally come and strike me.” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not
God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer
them? I tell you, he will see to ti that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes,
will he find faith on earth?”
Meditation
After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on or more of the following questions:
– What word or words in this passage caught your attention?
– What in this passage comforted you?
– What in this passage challenged you?
Contemplation
Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. How do I
understand the Holy Spirit’s gift of fear of the Lord? How can I be more intentional about seeing God’s
image in each person that I meet?
Render a just decision for me against my adversary. When have I suffered an injustice? How did I respond to that injustice in light of my faith?
Will [God] be slow to answer them? For what do I need to ask God today? How do I respond when God
does not respond to my prayers on my timetable?
After a period of silent reflection recite the Lord’s Prayer.
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Pray for just and compassionate decision-making form all those involved in the administration of justice.