“A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known” Tobit 12v7

This is a biblical verse I have carried around for many years. When I first read it, I literally stopped and let it settle in my heart.  It is what compels me to share my faith-even (especially) when I’d rather stay silent.  This verse is what motivates my blog and is why today I am sharing a testimony.

Lectio Divina- Many of us are familiar with this way of praying the bible, It’s a meditative way of reading the Bible in which we let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to what God is trying to say to us. For those who are new to this-here is a quick intro to Lectio Divina

• Reading. Read a passage slowly and carefully within the bible. …
• Meditation. Read the passage again, thinking deeply or dwelling upon a spiritual reality within a text. …
• Prayer. Having a loving conversation with God.
• Contemplation. Resting in God’s presence.
• Action. Go and do likewise

Earlier this year I was introduced to Lectio Divina in a zoom class I was taking through Encounter School of Ministry (https://encounterschool.org/) The verse we were given was Matthew 8 5-11 The healing of the Centurian’s servant.

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully. “He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.

I immediately became excited because at every Mass when we pray-Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed,  I pray under my breath- “send your word to my children as well and meet them on their road to Emaus” Like most parents today, I worry over my children’s faith journey. A few of my kids no longer attend Mass.  So being assigned this reading for our group, I felt like God was winking at me.  He was, but not how I expected. Our group leader read the scripture three times- the first time we were to just receive it, the second time we were to ask God what part of the scripture He wanted us to rest at.  The third time we read the scripture we were to ask God what message He had for us. 

The second time we read the scripture I wanted to rest at “Lord I am not worthy that…” but I felt the spirit saying no, not there keep going, I was surprised but kept going “send your word” no, not there either- the fruit is further along. This is where I felt the Spirit say here- this is for you. “I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.” I remember being surprised and then I scrunched up my nose and said there Lord? Are you sure? What could you possibly have to say to me in this verse?

Are you ready? I sure wasn’t. I felt that gentle voice within say google the phrase “many will come from the east and the west” and find where else it exists in the bible. 

Before I go on-the reason I am sharing this with you is because when God feeds one of His children, He expects us to share.  His promises are not just for a few but for all His children.   So, parents who are reading this – this is for you as well!   I want to make sure that when you read this you know that this wasn’t just for me- it’s for you too! This is what I found.

Isaiah 43:5-7

“So don’t be afraid: I’m with you. I’ll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west. I’ll send orders north and south: ‘Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places. I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.’”

 I read this over a few times and just felt God hug me through His loving words.  My kids are His kids.  He is more interested in their salvation than I am. In His time, He will lead them all home.  My job is to stay steady in prayer and thanksgiving, all the while planting seeds of love and faith that He will bring in.

St Peter says in his letters to always be ready to share the reason for your hope.  Jesus is my hope.  The way that God shares His abundant graces and continuously reassures us and feeds us demonstrates His love in a tangible way.  I may not be able to touch it, but I can surely feel it in my soul.

I hope this testimony lifts you up as much as it did me. Anytime I read a testimony, I see it as food for the journey. It sustains us as we walk towards heaven.