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Keeping Watch: Day 32

WEDNESDAY, JAN 3

John 1: 29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

 

Grace: I ask for the grace to know Jesus in a deeper way that I may abundantly love and follow him.

The 1825 painting illustrating Mary and Elizabeth with Jesus and John is a sentimental portrayal of what could have been, perhaps, if toddlers Jesus and John grew up as close cousins. Artist Friedrich Oberdeck imagined an overlay of familial affection in the Lukan Mary-Elizabeth narrative. It possibly could have been that way. But yet, the adult John, standing knee-deep in the river apparently had no personal knowledge of Jesus, as he asserted, “And I did not know him.” John spent his young adult life in the desert; Jesus, at Nazareth during “the hidden years” at home. Gradually Jesus the Christ was revealed to him, not only Jesus, but the Trinity – God (God’s voice), God’s son Jesus, and the Spirit dove.

Many of us have come to know God through our faith gradually, first in our Baptism, daily from our parents, in youth and adult faith formation, and for some, in formal religious training. Empowered by Word and Sacrament, we hear the witness of others and we may reveal our “knowing” Jesus. John’s testimony to Jesus was, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” and that “he is the Son of God.” One of my close friends testifies to Jesus as the “Gracious God of Tender Mercies,” and another, the “God of Everlasting Love.”

Saint Ignatius of Loyola received revelations gradually as he grew “in spiritual matters and in interior virtue” on his journey of transformation from a worldly soldier to a saintly pilgrim on his way to God. God often intervened in Ignatius’ temptations and scruples with consolations, bringing Ignatius to weeping and tears of joy. On one occasion it was “as if he could perceive the Most Holy Trinity in some kind of visible form that represented externally what he understood internally. This happened with such overflowing abundance of divine consolation the he could not keep from sighing and weeping.” (Pedro de Ribadeneira, The Life of Ignatius of Loyola, St. Louis: IJS, 2014. P. 29-30)

 

For Reflection and Prayer:

If I were an artist, what would my picture of Jesus and John look like? I will take time now to create that art.

Who has been influential in my life, revealing the Lamb of God, the Son of God, to me? Is the revelation still unfolding?

Recall some times that God has intervened in your life with consolations. What was that like?

 


The Contributor:

Jan Davis is a Spiritual Director, author, retreat leader, and OST Magis Program faculty member. Her expertise includes Benedictine, Theresian, as well as Ignatian spiritualities. Jan earned her D.Min. in Proclamation and Worship.

Learn more about  Magis Ignatian Spirituality Programs


Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

 

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