Lectio Divina – October 3, 2023 | Tuesday of the Twenty-six Sunday in Ordinary Time

“My home is within you.”

Proper of Readings for the Tuesday on the Twenty-six Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection by Sis. Sarah Yapan

A verse that emphasizes belonging. On this Tuesday, we are blessed with a lesson that reveals to us a more significant place of belonging, an eternal home, a place beside our Lord.

In the Gospel, Jesus describes that home it not a physical place, but rather a spot of him knowing us intimately, closer than anyone has ever been. There comes an inevitable time where we would get this feeling of being lost, left behind, and alone, in these times we often ask ourselves “is this what home should feel like?” and “where do I truly belong?” whether it is intentional or unintentional these types of thoughts or questions continue to haunt us. We seek a place that we think we deserve and belong to, even if it hurts us, we continue to stay because that is where we think our home is. But is this how the way it should be? Instead of living behind a façade of being okay, when in truth you are feeling alone it is best to confide ourselves to our Lord, for He too is longing for us to come close and be dear to him. With Him we don’t have to work for or be worthy enough to feel at home, but rather it is a gift for those who our dear to Him.

Points of Reflection:

1. What does it mean to belong?
2. Can you gift belonging? How?
3. Can belonging be taken away, or do we have the choice to leave?

Final Prayer

Lord, please allow me to have these kinds of meaningful connections and help me to believe that, whether someone accepts or rejects me, You will always be there for me. Thank you for accepting me into your eternal home, making me feel wanted, and taking away my desire for belonging, which has caused me to compromise who I am and what I stand for. I am grateful that You are my permanent home. Amen.

About the Contributor

Sis. Sarah Yapan is the National Procurator of the YFIA Movement in the Philippines. She is currently studying BS in Accountancy at the National University.