God had a message for us that could not be put into scribbles on a page or vibrations in the air. It had to be embodied into a different kind of word—the life of his Son. John’s gospel says that the ever-existing Word, who participated in the creation of all things, became flesh and lived among us[1]. This message of God is embodied not only in the spoken words of Jesus but also in his every act and thought. His mind and heart reveal God’s mind and heart.
How then do we learn the message of the Living Word? The main way is to study and meditate on every aspect of his life.
The reading schedule this blog accompanies is offered as a tool for getting the Incarnate Word into our hearts and minds through daily study about and meditation on Jesus. It assigns a short scripture passage to each day, covering all four Gospel books in a one year period.
The daily reading experience may be enriched by keeping a journal of ideas that come to mind while meditating on each passage. Also, the experience may be enhanced by asking thought questions about each passage, such as:
- What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ heart and character?
- What does it reveal about his personality and the working of his mind?
- What does it teach about his nature, his humanity and his divinity?
- What does it say about his part in history and his eternal role?
Some of the readings seem to be more about other people than about Jesus. However, Jesus is the central idea even in these passages, which allow us to experience him through the people he interacted with and to compare him to his contemporaries.
This reading schedule is offered with the conviction that spending a year with the Living Word can change our lives. As we read and meditate each day, we will grow closer to him, to the Father, and to the Holy Spirit. And, we will even begin to act and think like Jesus. After all, we are told to have his mind or attitude.[2] In fact, our destiny is to become like him![3]
[1] John 1:1-5, 14
[2] Philippians 2:5
[3] Luke 6:40, Romans 8:29, II Corinthians 3:18
Posts
