Read – reflect – respond (in prayer, silence, possibly a comment)
Lectio Divina – sacred reading
Matthew 7:7-12
Ask, Search, Knock
7 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
The Golden Rule
12 ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
Strengthen us, O Lord, by your grace, that in your might we may overcome all spiritual enemies, and with pure hearts serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
As one who studies complexity for a living, I am especially attracted to the simplicity of this (and similar) teachings of Jesus. How much simpler can it get? Do good, as you would like others to do good to you. Love others. Love God. That’s it! The whole teaching in a nutshell!
Pax Christi,
Roger Sessions
(Twitter: @RSessions)