Good morning,

Today’s meditation reveals a conundrum of great opportunity and devastating complacency. (v11)

“For a small gain they travel far; for eternal life many will scarcely lift a foot from the ground.” Thomas a Kempis

… and it clarifies our present mission in the City and the World. (v10b)

Read
Take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to clearly speak to you through this passage of scripture.

First Reading. Read the passage slowly, we are reading the words that God-breathed.

The true light, who gives light to every person, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, and the world did not recognize him. He came to his own things, and his own people did not receive him.

But as many as received him—to those who believe in his name—he gave to them authority to become children of God, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a husband, but of God.
[John 1:9-13 LEB]

Now that you are familiar with the passage, read it a second time, use your sanctified imagination to enter into the responses to “the true light." Think about hearing God speak.

Also, listen with the ear of your heart for one of the following:

• A word or phrase, a detail that stands out to you.
• Where you find yourself in the passage?

Reflect
Read the passage for the third time, slowly.

• As you do so and for a few minutes afterwards, reflect on one of the following:
  The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?
• How do you feel in response to this description of Jesus? What draws you? What are you thinking or feeling about God: Father, Son and Spirit?

Give yourself a few minutes to do this.
Then ask God, "How does this connect with my life today?"
What do I need to know, or be, or do?

Respond in Prayer
Make a fourth & final reading.

Then, talk to God about what you think the Spirit might have said to you, or what came to your mind.

Pray in whatever direction you are led. You might thank God for something or ask God for something.

Rest
Do as you are led. You may wish to simply be with God, to you still in his presence. You may wish to pay attention to God, pondering especially, "how did God seem in the passage?"

What about the Lord makes you want to worship him, or at least be with him? Sit in the companionship of the Divine—the one who invites you to come away and be with him.

This was adapted from Willard's “Hearing God” (ISBN 9780830869923) who adapted it from our new friend and mentor, Guigo II.