Gospel Meditation: Jesus at the Center

Today’s Gospel doesn’t lend itself well to imaginative prayer, so I offer a guided Ignatian meditation on this reading. This is an invitation to let the scripture enter into your heart and mind and speak personally to you. Ignatius said that meditation specifically engages our memory, thoughts, and will. We hear the word of God, and we ponder it, noticing any words, images, or ideas that speak to our hearts. And we speak to God about all of this.

If this way of praying is new – simply relax and try to become engaged in the scene. Try not to worry about what you are “supposed to” be doing. If you find yourself distracted during your prayer, very gently bring yourself back to the scripture text.

If at any point during the guided meditation the scripture comes to life in such a way that God invites to you stay with a particular moment, follow the invitation that you sense, rather than move on to where the written meditation is going. In that case you might want to stop reading and continue on your own.

Like last week, today’s reading comes from part of the instructions and admonitions that Jesus gives the Twelve apostles before sending them on mission to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt 10:6). Jesus has been moved with compassion by the troubled and abandoned crowds and realizes that that he must send laborers to tend to the harvest.

• Choose a position where you can be relaxed but alert.
• Breathe deeply several times and let your body relax
• Breathe out any worries or stressful thoughts and put them in God’s hands
• Become aware of God’s presence here with you now, looking at you with love.

• Ask God for the grace to experience God’s word spoken personally to you today.

Read the passage slowly twice, savoring the words. The first time, just listen to get a sense of it, to hear what is being said. The second time, notice any word or phrase, image, or idea that speaks to your heart or “shimmers” for you. Stay with that word, image, or idea and ponder its meaning. Notice how it makes you feel. Savor the experience. 

In the first half of this passage, Jesus addresses the priorities of one who wishes to follow him. Sometimes our relationships, work, political views muddle our focus on God as our source and God as our goal. How do you feel when you hear Jesus say love for him must be the central relationship in your life?

What impact does your love for Jesus have on the other relationships in your in your life?

What role do you want that love for Jesus to have?

Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.” What does it mean to you to welcome Jesus. If you’re not sure, ask Jesus to show you.

Is there another word or a phrase that caught your attention as you listened to the Gospel? Ponder it. What does it mean? What feelings, what memories, what thoughts arise in you as you pay attention?

Take a few moments to talk with Jesus about all you have reflected on, and how you are feeling right now. When you are ready, close with a favorite prayer.