Lectio Divina – October 4, 2023 | Wednesday of the Twenty-six Sunday in Ordinary Time, Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi

“Learn from Me, a meek and humble of heart”

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

Reflection by Bro Luke Garalde

In the Gospel we will listen to the invitation of Jesus: “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart.” The Gospel shows the tenderness with which Jesus welcomes and accepts the little ones. He wanted the poor to find rest and peace in him. The invitation of divine wisdom to all those who seek it. Jesus invites all those who are oppressed under the weight of the observance of the law to find rest in him, because He is gentle and humble of heart, capable of relieving and consoling the people who suffer, who feel tired and depressed. In this invitation resounds the beautiful words of Isaiah who consoled the people who lived in exile. This invitation is bound to divine wisdom, which invites persons to the encounter with her, saying: “her ways are filled with delight; her paths all lead to contentment”. And he adds: “Wisdom brings up her own children and cares for those who seek her. Whoever loves her, loves life, those who seek her early will be filled with joy” (Si 4: 11-12). This invitation reveals a very important characteristic of the feminine face of God: tenderness and acceptance which consoles and gives life to people and leads them to feel well. Jesus is the protection and the maternal womb which the Father offers to people who are tired.

Points of Reflection:

1. What produces tension in you and what gives you peace?
2. For you, as with the YFIA Community, is it a source of tension or of peace?
3. How can these words of Jesus help our community to be a place of rest for our life?

Final Prayer

O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Francis’ footsteps, we may follow your Son, and, through joyful charity, come to be united with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

About the Contributor

Bro. Luke Ashlent Garalde is a Councilor of YFIA Movement in the Philippines and currently studying Engineering at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). He is also the Liturgical Formator of the National Core Group for Altar Servers in the Capuchin Parishes of the Philippines.