Practice Lectio Divina with vv.-4 for 20 minutes or so and journal any reflections.
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What went into the composition of this gospel?
For whom is it written, and for what purpose?
Day #2
Lectio w/ vv. 5-17 and journal.
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What was involved in Zechariah and Elizabeth being chosen as God’s special
instruments?
What was significant about Elizabeth’s barrenness?
What things are considered a disgrace or shame in the culture In which you are
ministering?
What themes occur in the description of John by the angel?
Day #3
Lectio w/ vv. 18-25 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is going on with Zechariah’s speech being taken away?
What is Elizabeth’s primary sentiment and conclusion
Day #4
Lectio w/ vv. 26-33 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is Mary’s initial reaction to the greeting of the angel?
What themes are foretold in the words of the angel about the life of Jesus?
What sense of destiny is there for children born in your neighborhood? (both positive and negative)
Day #5
Lectio w/ vv. 34-38 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Compare Mary’s response to that of Zechariah.
What did Mary risk in her response in v. 38?
How is Jesus birthed in us?
Day #6
Lectio w/ vv. 39-45 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How do Elizabeth and her child in the womb respond to Mary’s visit?
What does Elizabeth cite as the reason for Mary’s blessedness?
How often is that at the center of your daily decisions and responses to those around you?
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #2
Week 2: Luke 1: 46-80
The Canticle of Mary (46-56)
The Birth of John the Baptist (57-66)
The Canticle of Zechariah (67-80)
Day #1
Read vv. 46-55, but focus on 46-50
Lectio with vv. 46-50 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What qualities do you see in Mary? Why is she overjoyed?
How does she relate herself to all of salvation history, past & future?
What causes you to be overjoyed?
Day #2
Read vv. 46-55, but focus on 51-55
Lectio with vv. 51-55 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What are God’s characteristic actions, now inaugurated in Jesus, according to these verses?
For whom is this bad news? For whom is it good news?
In 1st century Palestine, who might have been those who “feared God”, who were “lowly”, and “hungry? What might have caused them to be lowly and hungry? In your ministry context, who might these be, and why are they lowly and hungry?
Who might the “arrogant of mind and heart”, the “rulers”, and the “rich” be? In 1st century Palestine? In your ministry context?
How might this passage appeal to those who wanted revolution then, and those who want it now? How might it not appeal?
Day #3
Read vv. 56-66, but focus on 56-61
Lectio with vv. 56-61 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What do Elizabeth’s neighbors and relatives understand and share with her?
What do they not understand? How does she respond?
What do your neighbors and relatives understand and share with you? What do they not understand?
What have the neighbors and relatives of believers in your community been able to understand and rejoice about in their lives? What don’t they understand?
Day #4
Read vv. 56-66, but focus on 62-66
Lectio with vv. 62-66 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:!
How does Zechariah now respond? What are the results?
How do the people respond?
Day #5
Read vv. 67-80, but focus on 67-75
Lectio with vv. 67-75 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What are the main themes of these verses?
What are God’s characteristic actions, now inaugurated in Jesus?
Day #6
Read vv. 67-80, but focus on 76-80
Lectio with vv. 76-80 and journal
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What do these verses tell us about John’s role? That of Jesus?
Who might those be who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, then and now in your neighborhood? (Try to think both materially and spiritually)
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #3
Week 3: Luke 2: 1-21
The Birth of Jesus (1-14)
The Visit of the Shepherds (15-20)
The Circumcision and Naming of Jesus (21)
Day #1
Read 2: 1-20, but focus on vv. 1-3
Lectio with 2:1-3
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Have you ever been required by the government to travel to another town? What was it like? How did you get there?
How might Mary and Joseph have felt about traveling with Mary so pregnant?
What kinds of things have your neighbors had to do in compliance with government regulations?
Day #2
Read 2:1-20, but focus on vv. 4-7
Lectio with 2:4-7
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions
Why is it significant that Joseph and Maryʼs child was born in a manger?
What similar experiences have your neighbors had of “no room” for them?
How have you experienced this?
What does a manger provide for the animals? Might this be a further clue as to what Luke wants us to understand about Jesus? (see vv. 22:11 and 10:34 where the word has essentially the same meaning as this “inn”)
Day #3
Read 2: 1-20, but focus on vv. 8-10
Lectio with 2: 8-10
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Why does the angel go to shepherds? What was the shepherdʼs position in society? Who are the shepherds today? In your neighborhood?
What does the angel bring to the shepherds?
Why does the angel emphasize a “joy to be shared by the whole people” and yet chooses to tell the shepherds?
Day #4
Read 2:1-20, but focus on vv. 11-14
Lectio with 2: 11-14
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Why is the town of David important?
What do the shepherds learn of Jesusʼ identity?
How and to whom have we seen the “favor” of v. 14 manifested thus far in the gospel?
How might this be good news to your neighbors?
Day #5
Read 2: 1-20, but focus on vv. 15-18
Lectio with vv. 15-18
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Who is preaching now?
What implications does that have for Godʼs desire for your neighbors?
Day #6
Read 2: 1-21, but focus on vv. 19-21
Lectio with vv. 19-21
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What does Maryʼs treasuring and pondering suggest for our journey?
What is the shepherdʼs response to what they have heard and seen? What do we see about Godʼs desire for the poor and for us?
Reflect on the significance of Jesusʼ name, your own name, and names in general. What significance do your neighbors invest in names? How do they name their children?
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #4
Week 4: Luke 2: 22-52
The Presentation in the Temple (22-38)
The Return to Nazareth (39-40)
The Boy Jesus in the Temple (41-52)
Day #1
Read 2: 22-38, but focus on vv. 22-28
Lectio with vv. 22-28
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Who was it that offered turtledoves or pigeons among the Jews?
What were some of the characteristics of Simeon?
What does “looking forward to the restoration of Israel” mean? What might that concept mean for you? For your neighbors?
Why is the fulfillment of the Law so important to Luke?
Day #2
Read 2: 22-38, but focus on vv. 29-35
Lectio with vv. 29-35
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
vv. 29-32 are always read in the Liturgy for Night Prayer or Compline. Why doyou suppose that is?
What Lucan themes are repeated and enhanced here?
Is v. 32 surprising? Why or why not?
Relate Simeonʼs encounter to your own encounter of Christ among the poor. What does this imply for your life as a missionary?
Relate the “fall and rise” back to 1:46-56. Does this elucidate its meaning?
Day #3
Lectio with vv. 36-40
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What are the characteristics of Anna?
Who would those be who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem?
Who is preaching now? Relate Anna back to the shepherds and to your neighbors.
Read 1Samuel 1 – 2, and compare the stories.
Day #4
Read 2: 41-50, but focus on vv. 41-45
Lectio with vv. 41-45
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Why do you suppose Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem? What do we learn about Jesus in this passage?
How might this passage be used in a conversation with parents of troubled teens in your neighborhood?
Day #5
Read 2: 41-50, but focus on vv. 46-50
Lectio with vv. 46-50
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What more do we see about Jesus here?
Think about yourself at 12 or as a teenager. What were your preoccupations? Think about the 12 yr. olds and teens in your neighborhood. How might this passage become a prayer for them?
Day #6
Lectio with vv. 2: 51-52
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #5
The Preparation For Public Ministry
Week 5: Luke 3: 1-22
The Preaching of John the Baptist (1-20)
The Baptism of Jesus (21-22)
Day #1
Read 3: 1-18, but focus on vv. 1-3
Lectio with vv. 1-3
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Compare the authority of those mentioned with that of John.
Note the fulfillment of what was spoken of John (1: 76-79).
Day #2
Read 3: 1-18, but focus on vv. 4-6
Lectio with vv. 4-6
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What paths do you see that need to be leveled, filled in or prepared in your life?
What about in your neighborhood? The world in general?
Day #3
Read 3: 1-18, but focus on vv. 7-9
Lectio with vv. 7-9
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What are ways that you sometimes take refuge in a statement like, “We have Abraham as our father,” and thus avoid producing better fruit?
What are similar false securities in your neighborsʼ lives?
Compare with Mt. 3: 7-10 to understand how the theory came about of a common source, “Q”, for much of Mt. and Lk.
Day #4
Read 3: 1-18, but focus on vv. 10-14
Lectio with vv. 10-14
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is in common in these three instances? How does they fit with Lucan themes?
Translate this kind of repentance into concrete circumstances in your own life?
How about in the life of your neighbors, or your city in general?
Day #5
Read 3: 1-18, but focus on vv. 15-18
Lectio with vv. 15-18
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How does John deal with praise and high expectation?
How do you deal with it?
Day #6
Lectio with vv. 19-22
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Note the sobering events in the life of John, just as Jesus begins his ministry. What costs might your life as a missionary entail?
What is significant about the voice from heaven? How did it sustain him in ministry? How can you hear the same message to help sustain you in ministry?
Consider all the references to the Holy Spirit thus far in the gospel, and continue to watch for them. Can you discern common elements accompanying the Holy Spiritʼs work, according to Luke?
Why was it important for Jesus to be baptized?
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #6
Week 6: Luke 3:23- Luke 4: 13
The Genealogy of Jesus (3:23-38)
The Temptation of Jesus (4:1-13)
Day #1
Lectio with 3: 23-38 (…Try it!)
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Compare and contrast with Mtʼs genealogy.
How far back does Mt trace Jesusʼ line? Luke? What significance do you think that has for their views of Jesus?
What do you make of the radical incompatibility of the two lists? Is the point to give an accurate genealogy?
Day #2
Read 4: 1-13, but focus on vv. 1-2
Lectio with vv. 1-2
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is the Spiritʼs role here? The devilʼs? Jesusʼ?
What are things that tempt you to step outside your identity in Christ?
Day #3
Read 4: 1-13, but focus on vv. 3-4
Lectio with vv. 3-4
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How do you see this temptation manifest in your own life? How do you combat it?
How do you see this in the lives of your neighbors? What does this lead them to do?
What is the essence of this temptation?
Day #4
Read 4: 1-13, but focus on vv. 5-8
Lectio with vv. 5-8
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How do you relate to this temptation?
How do you see it in your neighbors? In society in general? In our government and business?
Day #5
Read 4: 1-13, but focus on vv. 9-12
Lectio with vv. 9-12
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Answer the above questions with regard to this temptation as well.
Day #6
Read 4: 1-13, but focus on v. 13
Lectio with v. 13
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What exhausted the devil? What does that recommend to us as tools in the battle?
What might this mean, “until the opportune moment”?
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #7
The Ministry In Galilee
Week 7: Luke 4: 14-30
The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry (14-15)
The Rejection at Nazareth (16-30)
Day #1
Lectio with 4: 14-15
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Notice again the role of the Spirit. What do these references to the Spirit imply for your ministry?
Day #2
Read 4: 16-22a, but focus on vv. 16-19
Lectio with vv. 16-19
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is the proof of the presence of the Spirit?
What is Jesusʼ mission all about? How does it relate to your mission? To that of InnerCHANGE in general?
Who are the poor, the afflicted, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed, then and now?
In your neighborhood what would it look like to see these things taking place? How have they already begun? Which churches are helping? Which non-Christians are helping?
Day #3
Read 4: 16-22, but focus on vv. 20-22
Lectio with vv. 20-22
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Why is Jesus so well accepted in this moment?
How strong is your desire to be accepted? Will it allow you to be prophetic as well?
Day #4
Read 4: 23-27, but focus on vv. 23-24
Lectio with vv. 23-24
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Why does Jesus go on like this? Why not let sleeping dogs lie? (Cf. 2:35)
s this true in your own experience about a prophet not being accepted in his own country? Why or why not?
Day #5
Read 4: 23-27, but focus on vv. 25-27
Lectio with vv. 25-27
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is Jesusʼ point in mentioning these two foreigners? How does this fit with Lucan themes thus far?
How does this elucidate the true meaning of vv. 18-19?
What implications does this have for your ministry? Why do we go to people on the margins?
Day #6
Lectio with v. 28-30
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Why does the attitude of the townsfolk change so drastically and so quickly?
What might we expect as we pursue our ministry to those on the margins? Why?
Have you experienced rejection already by your family or by others who cannot understand why you serve the people you do? (If yes, rejoice! you are partaking in the sufferings of Christ!)
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #8
Week 8: Luke 4:31-44
The Cure of a Demoniac (31-37)
The Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-Law (38-39)
Other Healings (40-41)
Jesus Leaves Capernaum (42-44)
Day #1
Read 4: 31-37, but focus on vv. 31-32
Lectio with vv. 31-32
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What makes the difference in the authority of Jesus?
What can allow us to partake in the authority of Jesus?
Day #2
Read 4: 31-37, but focus on vv. 33-35
Lectio with vv. 33-35
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is the significance of Jesus healing on the Sabbath?
Why do you think the unclean spirits know who Jesus is, and want to shout it out?
Day #3
Read 4: 31-37, but focus on vv. 36-37
Lectio with vv. 36-37
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How have you experienced the authority of Jesus?
Why might genuine spiritual authority be good news to the poor?
Day #4
Lectio with vv. 38-39
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What does Simonʼs mother in law do when she is healed? Is this significant?
What might true healing and salvation bring about in your neighborhood? Where do you see this already evident?
Day #5
Lectio with vv. 40-41
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What do friends do in this passage?
Again, what do you think is going on with the demons who shout that Jesus is the son of God? Might something similar take place in our ministries?
Day #6
Lectio with vv. 42-44
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What do we learn about Jesusʼ prayer life here?
What can we learn about responding when everyone wants our time?
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #9
Week 9: Luke 5:1-16
The Call of Simon the Fisherman (1-11)
The Cleansing of a Leper (12-16)
Day #1
Read 5: 1-11, but focus on vv. 1-3
Lectio with vv. 1-3
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
According to Luke, what are the people listening to? Why does Luke put it this way? How does that fit with what weʼve seen thus far?
Day #2
Read 5: 1-11 but focus on vv. 4-5
Lectio with vv. 4-5
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Have you ever felt like Simon Peter in this story? As a missionary, how might this passage encourage you? Who and what determines the “catch” in your ministry?
Consider the virtue of hope. Where do you see it most strongly and weakly in your own life? In the lives of your neighbors?
Day #3
Read 5: 1-11, but focus on vv. 6-7
Lectio with vv. 6-7
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How can we be content with a small catch or no catch in our ministry, and yet continue in faith and hope, that God can bring in a massive catch anytime God wants to?
Day #4
Read 5: 1-11, but focus on vv. 8-11
Lectio with vv. 8-11
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How do Simon Peter and the others respond? What do they do?
Jesus engaged and “caught” these disciples through their own trade, on their turf. How might we do the same?
How can we give vision to people who are just beginning their faith walk?
Day #5
Read 5: 12-16, but focus on vv. 12-13
Lectio with vv. 12-13
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What do we see about Jesus here? What rules does he break? What barriers does he cross? Why?
Who are the “lepers” of your community? How can you communicate Jesusʼ
Do you see an insecurity about whether Jesus wants to approach/ heal in your own life, or in the lives of the most marginalized of your community? Why or Why not?
Day #6
Read 5: 12-16, but focus on vv. 14-16
Lectio with vv. 14-16
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Why is Jesus concerned about the man going to the priests? What difference will it make in his ability to be part of the community? What does this imply for our ministry?
What does v. 16 suggest for the rhythm of our own ministry?
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #10
Week 10: Luke 5: 17-39
The Healing of a Paralytic (17-26) [A key passage for IC-spend time with it!]
The Call of Levi (27-32)
The Question about Fasting (33-39)
Day #1
Read 5: 17-26, but focus on vv. 17-19
Lectio with vv. 17-19
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Meditate on the condition of the paralyzed man, and the action of his friends. In what ways might our communities be like the paralyzed man, needing to be brought to Jesus?
What might be the significance of the four friends in terms of ministry? Would you include yourself in the group of friends? InnerCHANGE? The Church? Other poor neighbors? Why or Why not?
What do you make of this taking off the roof? Our communities are poor and marginalized. What do we do when the very folks who are “surrounding Jesus” will not make room for them? What might this suggest for our missiology?
Day #2
Read 5: 17-26, but focus on vv. 20-26
Lectio with vv. 20-26
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What do we learn about Jesus here? Why does Jesus delay the healing? What does this passage suggest about the salvation of God in Jesus?
How might this argue for a holistic approach in our ministry? What are some concrete alternatives in your own ministry and community?
What is the effect for all who witness this event?
Day #3
Lectio with vv. 27-28
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What was the status of tax collectors at that time? Why does Jesus call him? Wasnʼt it a risky choice?
Is Leviʼs response surprising? Does this relate at all to your experience with societyʼs outcasts? Who are the “tax collector” types in your neighborhood/ city?
Day #4
Lectio with vv. 29-32
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What kind of crowd is Jesus hanging out with? How do the Pharisees respond?
Does this story re-play itself in our ministry?
How does Jesusʼ response relate to the ministry of InnerCHANGE?
Day #5
Lectio with vv. 33-35
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
a. How might the Phariseeʼs question translate into similar questions/challenges of todayʼs Church?
b. What is conjured up in Lukeʼs focus here on Jesus as the “bridegroom”?
Day #6
Lectio with vv. 36-39
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What are these parables about? What do the new and old wine represent? Try to consider them in the context of Lukeʼs picture of Jesus thus far.
How might v. 39 argue for a tolerant position vs. a polemical one?
What have you seen occurring in the churches of your neighborhood? How might they at times be like old wineskins? How and where do you see them seeking to be new wineskins? What are some of your own personal struggles between “old” and “new”?
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #11
Week 11: Luke 6: 1-26
Debates about the Sabbath (1-11)
The Mission of the Twelve (12-16)
Ministering to a Great Multitude (17-19)
Sermon on the Plain (20-26)
Day #1
Read 6: 1-11, but focus on vv. 1-5
Lectio with vv. 1-5
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is the Phariseeʼs primary concern? What is Jesusʼ?
What insight does this give us into the Sabbath, itʼs true meaning, and Jesusʼ relationship to it?
Can you think of personal ministry situations where certain “rules” might be relaxed for the greater holistic good of the people involved? How can you make Kingdom decisions in those circumstances?
Day #2
Read 6: 1-11, but focus on vv. 6-11
Lectio with vv. 6-11
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is the point of Godʼs laws, as Jesus brings out here?
What implications can you draw for our ministry?
Day #3
Lectio with 6: 12-16
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What model does Jesus give us for our discipleship ministry? How does he make important decisions?
Reflect on the diverse crew that Jesus chooses and what you know about each one. How is this a sign of the Kingdom? What does it imply for the Church and for InnerCHANGE?
Note: The twelve comprise a reconstituted Israel in continuity with the old. Luke uses the term “apostles” often in comparison with the other gospel writers–but unlike other NT authors, he limits the term to the Twelve.
Day #4
Lectio with 6: 17-19
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What drew the people to Jesus?
What drew you to Jesus?
What has drawn your neighbors to Jesus?
Day #5
Read 6: 20-26
Lectio with 6: 20-23
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What does v. 20 tell us about whom he is addressing here?
How does this compare with societyʼs prescriptions forhappiness and blessedness? Try to evaluate the state of our Church as regards these prescriptions.
Who are the poor, the hungry, the weeping, the hated, the abused, and the denounced in your neighborhood?
How is this good news for them? Are they better, and thus privileged? Why are they singled out? What does this tell us about God, and about our ministry as Godʼs ambassadors?
Are these qualities virtues in and of themselves? How does this relate to discipleship in the text?
Note the theme of ancestors brought out here, in v. 26, and v. 35. Also look back at 1:55, 1:72, and 3:8.
Day #6
Read 6: 20-26, but focus on vv. 24-26
Lectio with vv. 24-26
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Who are the rich, those who have plenty to eat, those who are laughing, and those of whom all speak well? Who are they in Jesusʼ time? Who might they be in Lukeʼs community? Who are they today?
Is Jesusʼ point to condemn? (note v. 27)
What does this tell us (taken together with v. 20-23) about being part of Godʼs Kingdom? What does it tell us about InnerCHANGE?
Is there a consistent line of thinking that you can see in Lukeʼs composition and ordering here?
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #12
Week 12: Luke 6: 27-49
Love of Enemies (27-36)
Judging Others (37-42)
A Tree Known by Its Fruit (43-45)
The Two Foundations (46-49)
Day #1
Read 6: 27-36, but focus on vv. 27-32
Lectio with vv. 27-32
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How is this a continuation of the above? How is it difficult? How is it freeing?
Where are there enemies, hate, cursing, maltreatment, cheekslapping, and property confiscation in your life? your neighborʼs lives? In the world at large?
How are Jesusʼ statements (esp. 31 and 32) a “slap in the face” to a system based on reciprocity? How does Jesus motivate people to follow his way?
Does this passage promote non-violence? Does it promote passive acceptance of abuse and oppression? (Take it in the context of the whole gospel thus far).
Day #2
Read 6: 27-36, but focus on vv. 33-36
Lectio with vv. 33-36
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
In what ways has the Church done well in living these things out? In what ways have we failed? Think particularly of the priorities placed on the investment of money.
If we do these things, what are we promised?
How do we relate to Godʼs heart and way, if we do these things?
What are the implications of these last few passages for how we evangelize? What must we show by our actions? What must we proclaim in our message?
Note: If we are honest with ourselves we will realize how difficult this is to live out, yet it offers us tremendous freedom, and proclaims the Kingdom louder than words.
Day #3
Read 6: 37-42, but focus on 37-38
Lectio with vv. 37-38
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
Note: This should be seen as a continuation of the context of the prior passages.
We all have a tendency to judge others for one reason or another. Is there a pattern to when you fall into this trap? How can the gospelʼs focus help us here?
Have you experienced abundant receiving as you have extended yourself in giving?
The poor are very often more generous than the rich with what they have. Are there neighbors of yours from whom you can learn to be more generous, by meditating on their example?
Day #4
Read 6: 37-42, but focus on vv. 39-42
Lectio with vv. 39-42
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How and with whom do we fall into nit-picky criticism?
How can Jesusʼ counsel help us?
Day #5
Lectio with 6: 43-45
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
How does this passage argue for the need for conversion?
How does it relate to our adage, “Ministry flows from being, not from doing”?
What does that imply for life priorities?
According to the passage who benefits (or doesnʼt benefit) in proportion to our taking this to heart? (look back at v. 39 as well)
Day #6
Lectio with 6: 46-49
Having finished your Lectio, consider the following questions:
What is the hallmark of the disciple of Jesus?
What is the only way to truly learn the gospel message according to Jesus?
How does that square with some of the approaches you have seen in churches, seminaries, and formation programs?
Why does InnerCHANGE put such an emphasis on Action-Reflection vs. “scholarly” learning?
LUKE DEVOTIONAL COMPANION #13
Week 13: Luke 7: 1-23
The Healing of a Centurion’s Slave (1-10)
Raising of the Widow’s Son (11-17)
The Messengers from John the Baptist (18-23)
Day #1
Read 7:1-10, but focus on vv. 1-5
Lectio with vv. 1-5
Consider the following questions:
What qualities of this Centurion can we glean?
What is strange about the fact that the Jewish elders plead on his behalf?
What might this tell us about the place for ʻ“oppressors” and “foreigners” in the Community of Jesus?
How would you compare your relationship with the people in your neighborhood with the relationship of the Centurion and the Jews? Are there similarities? Differences?
Day #2
Read 7:1-10, but focus on vv. 6-10.
Lectio with vv. 6-10.
Consider the following questions:
What other qualities do we see in the Centurion in these verses?
How does Jesus respond to the Centurionʼs request, and to the message he sends? How will his hearers respond to “not even in Israel have I found faith as great as this”? (Think back to his opening sermon in Lk 4)
How do you understand the authority of Jesus? Your “faith” in him?
What common wisdom exists among the people in your neighborhood, from their life experiences, which gives them an understanding of faith that you can learn from?
Day #3
Read 7:11-17, but focus on vv. 11-14
Lectio with vv. 11-14
Consider the following questions:
What do we learn about Jesus by his response to this widowʼs plight?
As a Jew, what would touching a dead body mean for him? (Num 19:11,16)
Who are people in your neighborhood who are like this woman? What is your response to them?
Notice that Jesus is demonstrating part of his mission: raising the dead to new life. What in you might Jesus be touching and bringing to life?
Day #4
Read 7:11-17, but focus on vv. 15-17
Lectio with vv. 15-17
Consider the following questions:
The line “Jesus gave him to his mother” is the same as in 1Kings 17:23 when Elijah restores life to the Widowʼs son at Zarephath. Luke shows the people making this connection, noting that “this view of him” (v.17)(i.e. as a prophet) is captured by the witnesses of this miraculous event.
How do the people respond?
What does this tell you about your prophetic vocation as part of the Body of Christ, and as part of InnerCHANGE?
Day #5
Read 7:18-23, but focus on vv. 18-20
Lectio with vv. 18-20
Consider the following questions:
What might have caused John the Baptist to doubt, when his disciples told him “all the news”? How might Jesus have stretched Johnʼs concept of God?
What causes, or has caused, you to doubt Jesus? How has he stretched your concept of God through these studies, and through your ministry?
In what circumstances do you find doubts popping up? What do you do with your doubts? What did John the Baptist do?
Day #6
Read 7:18-23, but focus on vv. 21-23
Lectio with vv. 21-23
Consider the following questions:
How does Jesus respond to John the Baptist? What authenticates Him?
How does what Jesus say and do relate back to his mission (Lk 4/ Is. 61)?
How does your ministry–and that of InnerCHANGE–relate to Jesusʼ mission?
Do you know people for whom this kind of compassionate, boundary-breaking ministry is a “cause of falling”? (Notice that this phrase hearkens back to Maryʼs song, and to Simeonʼs prophecy in the Infancy narrative).
