Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). Today is one of the most known Gospel passages, another infamous story of Peter’s doubt. The apostles are in a storm, they see Jesus walking toward them, and then they think He’s a ghost. I think it’s a reasonable thought. Have you ever seen anyone who can walk on water? I haven’t, but I haven’t been on a lot of boats in the middle of a storm either. Peter asks Jesus to prove that it is Him out there, but wanting to be asked to come out on the water and walk too. Have you ever done that? The Lord comes to you in prayer, He reveals himself, and then you ask him to prove it. I have. It’s been crystal clear that it’s the Lord who’s been giving me something, asking me for something, or just present in so many ways- but crystal clear only to someone else. For me, I’m still saying “Is that you Lord? Prove it by making me do this crazy thing.” So He does, He tells Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water. It’s amazing for about four seconds, then the wind picks up again. Peter gets scared, and he starts to sink. Have you ever started to sink? The Lord proves His love for you, you step out on faith, and then doubt creeps in again. I have. We are always doubting the Lord. If the Lord could tire of us, I’m sure He’d tire of this. As a human, I tire of it. It’s hard when people doubt you all the time, when they don’t believe you can do the things you say you can do. It gets tiring. As I write this, I’m with the group of people in my life who do this the most, my family. I don’t see them very often, but they always seem surprised when I can do something right, cook something well, or know something about something. It’s probably because I don’t see them often enough for them to know what kinds of things that I know. Perhaps it's just the Lord showing me a small glimpse of what it’s like to be Him in our relationship- to have someone you love doubt and mistrust your goodness, your mercy, and your love every other day. Peter doesn’t sink, and neither will we. He’s got this just as He always does. As He said way back in Jeremiah’s time, “I will be your God, and you will be My people.” Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today. How do I ask you to prove yourself to me, Lord? How often do I doubt you're really at work when you reveal yourself to me? In what ways does doubt creep in even after I begin to trust you? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord. "Help me to trust you, Lord." "Give me eyes to see you working in my life." "Let me know that you never tire of me." Step #5: Actio / ActIn light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today? Write down your biggest doubts in the Lord today. Take time to invite the Lord in prayer to speak into those doubts. Write down what you hear him speaking to you about those doubts. Smartphone Lock ScreenThe following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.  "Today's prayer was prepared by Katie Herzing, a former youth minister turned parish evanglization consultant living in North Carolina.
Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). The miracle of the loaves and fishes is a pretty common Christian example of the Lord providing more than we can imagine if we have trust and make our requests known to Him. I must say though, in today’s Gospel, I am reading a different perspective that I think most of us can relate to. Before Jesus went to give aid to the crowds by multiplying their food, the Gospel begins by stating that when Jesus had heard the news of John the Baptist’s death, he went by himself in a boat to a deserted place. The crowds of suffering people heard about His departure, so they followed him on foot to greet Him and be healed. Jesus saw the crowds and was “moved with pity” for them and He healed them. Then as the disciples pointed out that there was not enough food to feed the 5,000, Jesus performed a miracle of provision and love. As He does for us anytime we come to Him with our sicknesses, our ailments, or our hungers in life. He feeds us with His body in the Eucharist and we can truly say we are fed by a miracle of God’s love: Himself. I know that Jesus is both human and divine, but I was struck from the beginning of this Gospel that Jesus probably just wanted some alone time for just one day to grieve the loss of his cousin. With the busy schedule Him and His disciples had of healing, preaching, praying, more healing, and every now and then a miracle- His human nature must have been exhausted! Then we are witness to the Gospel continuing on and revealing that Jesus is in fact Divine as well, receiving extra energy boosts from His Heavenly Father when others needed Him. This is certainly a reminder and challenge to me when I want to zone out and get “away” from responsibilities, people, or my own insecurities or worries, that although I may feel justified in ignoring others needs for a while- there are still ways I can ask for grace in my slump and move forward in service and love of others, rather than myself. This miracle of the loaves and fishes reminds us that if things do not always go our way or we are grieving a loss, we can certainly take those moments to experience sorrow, but if we stay stuck in self-pity or despair we could easily start to live in a dark cave. When we choose to dwell in that dark cave for too long, our eyes adjust to only our own presence- whereas when we ascend from the cave, we see that others are still in need of our love and attention. We can give despite being in the grieving process, we can serve despite feeling desolate, and we press forward in hope due His grace that is waiting to be tapped into if we’d only ask for it! When we don’t have much more to give to others, let us remember that that is the opportune moment for the Lord to work a miracle around us. Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today. When have you needed to step away for a moment and rest? How did Jesus meet you there? When is a time you have had to give of yourself? How did Jesus meet you there? When you have returned from a break, how did Jesus meet you there? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord. "You give me rest." "God works miracles." "Lord I need you." Step #5: Actio / ActIn light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today? Today, ask for God's grace. Ask for it in every moment. When you are tired, cranky, happy, lazy etc. Ask for His grace and watch Him transform your life. Smartphone Lock ScreenThe following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.  Today's prayer was prepared by Katy Praetzel, a worship leader in Pittsburgh, PA.
Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). I love Chinese food; I mean, it is hands down my favorite kind of food. Any chance I have to get a good Chinese meal I won’t pass up. However, every time I eat it I find that there’s one simple truth about it: it never actually fills me up. Every time I eat a meal, I feel full right away, but after just a few hours I’m really hungry again. Maybe you have a similar favorite food or meal, the one that you can’t pass up when it pops into your mind even though you know it may not be the healthiest and that in just a short while you’ll be hungry again. It never ceases to amaze me when I get so bent on eating a meal that I know will simply not satisfy the actual hunger I have. It may seem like a simple comparison in light of the Gospel reading today, but as I sit to reflect on the words of Jesus I can’t help but be drawn into my love of Chinese food, despite it’s ability to actually satisfy my body’s needs. I think there is something innately human about desiring the things that won’t actually satisfy our needs, and that is precisely why Jesus teaches us the way he does in today’s Gospel reading from the bread of life discourse in the Gospel of John. Our human hearts desire things that are completely unattainable in this life. We are finite but made for the infinite. I’m not saying that we have a physical hunger that will never be satisfied by Chinese food, but I’m saying that our spiritual natures will never be satisfied fully this side of eternity. Jesus brings the disciples and the crowd following him together to teach them a lesson about being satisfied. After the miraculous feeding of the thousands in the crowd with simply a few fish and loaves of bread, the people are astonished. But Jesus explains that it isn’t simply the sign of food being multiplied that has them feeling this way – it’s the fact that they were actually satisfied. It’s like Jesus telling me that it isn’t simply amazing that a Chinese meal, after never doing so before, actually filled me up; but it’s the fact that I’m fully satisfied that is really the true amazement. We desire so much more than this world can offer us, and not just in terms of food. Our happiness, peace, hope, and goodness are things that are so big the world simply cannot satisfy the longing we have for them. This is the most important spiritual lesson being taught in today’s Gospel, I think. We will never be satisfied by anything until we allow ourselves to be satisfied by the only One who can truly fill us. Jesus offers us satisfaction not just for one day, or one meal, but for eternity. Let him satisfy you. Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today What are the things that you go to in life for satisfaction which don't leave you fully satisfied? What can reflecting on those things teach you? What do you think it means to let Jesus fully satisfy you? How have you encountered the satisfaction found in Jesus in your life? In what areas of your life are you still seeking that? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord. "You satisfy me." "I desire only You." "Fill me up." Step #5: Actio / ActIn light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today? This week, carve out specific time to go to Eucharistic Adoration or daily Mass – more than you do in a normal week – and while there spend time quietly asking the Lord to fill you up, and letting him do just that. Smartphone Lock ScreenThe following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.  Today's prayer was prepared by Adam Smyth, the Life Teen Coordinator at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the Woodlands, TX.
Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateClick the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. Have you ever done something you know is wrong, but you do it anyway to save face? That’s kind of what Herod did in the Gospel today. At his birthday celebration, he grants Herodias’s daughter whatever she wants. Even though he didn’t want to kill John the Baptist, Herod has him beheaded because of the promise he made in front of all the people at his party. We hear about peer pressure all the time and how not to fall into it. Sometimes peer pressure isn’t all that bad, like signing up for a retreat or mission trip just because all of your friends are going. That kind of peer pressure (similar to how at first Herod just imprisoned John) can lead to good things even though the initial intention wasn’t so pure. But peer pressure doesn’t always lead to the best outcomes. A lot of times it’s not as cut and dry as people make it seem, but it happens most often in very subtle ways. For example: hanging out with your friends and talking about life, then someone brings up someone you all don’t like. Peer pressure is joining in on the gossip and tearing down this person, even though you know you shouldn’t. But you don’t want to be the outcast for not joining in, and besides, it’s harmless, right? Sin is a slippery slope like that, and when you add the pressure of looking good in front of your friends or family it gets even steeper. The hard part is recognizing this when it’s happening. Peer pressure can also take the form of you not doing what you know is best in order to not look like a “Jesus freak.” A couple of weeks ago this happened to me. I needed to go to confession but was back at home visiting my family and didn’t want to impede on the time I had with them while also not wanting them to think of me as a sinner (although we all are . . . we’re human). I mentioned something to my mom about wanting to go to confession and she not only found a church that had confession during the week but also went with me. Sometimes we are afraid to speak up about certain things because of what other people will say. I have done this many times in my life, but when I do speak up or don’t participate in conversations or activities I know are wrong, people have actually commended me instead or bringing me down. It’s not always easy to stand up when everyone else is sitting (metaphorically), but if you know something is right, pray for the courage to be able to stand. Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today. How have you let people pressure you into something, good or bad? How does God use people around you to lead you closer to him, even if you don't always notice at the time? In what areas of your life are you being asked right now to stand up for what is right and you need courage to do that? Take this time to ask him for that courage and then go do it. Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord. "I choose you." "Your will is good." "I ask for your grace." Step #5: Actio / ActIn light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today? Today, do something that is uncomfortable but right. Maybe you reach out to someone that it's not popular to talk to. Maybe you have a conversation you've been needing to have but putting off because you're scared of what the other person might say. Whatever it is, take courage today, invite the Lord to be your strength, and stand up in faith and in boldness. Smartphone Lock ScreenThe following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.  Today's prayer was prepared by Kayla Essner, a high school Math teacher in Denver, CO.
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