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). Several times in the Old Testament there is prefigurement of Jesus’ suffering and death. Jesus refers to these passages to His disciples, and yet they still don’t understand. It is not until the Resurrection that the Apostles’ were no longer blind to what Jesus’ plan was. It can be easy for me to look at the Apostles and think, “Really? You’ve spent all that time with Jesus and you still don’t get it?” But what I love about the Apostles is that they are so relatable, because I do that exact same thing: I question what God’s plan is. When I’m in the moment when life decisions are happening, I spend time in prayer and question what step I should take, sometimes doubting the step I know I should to take. Then once the decision is made and I move forward, I look back and think, “Really? You doubted that decision so much, but look at what God has done!” Questioning God to figure out more of the plan for your life is good. It’s a way we get to know more deeply His plan for our lives, but we also spend time listening and getting to know God’s voice and how he speaks to us. That way if/when we hear a prompting that we don’t really like, we have a better understanding as to whether or not it is coming from God. Discernment of big life decisions (such as what college to go to, what major to study, where to go after college, or our Vocation) is not easy. Sometimes the decisions we have to make will bring us quite a bit of suffering, and in the moment it will not always make sense. But if you spend a lot of time getting to know Jesus, getting to recognize His voice and understand the promptings of the Holy Spirit, then in those moments you will be given the strength you need. In the Gospel today, the disciples knew it was Jesus talking to them and they still didn’t believe what He was saying. But they knew who it was that was speaking (God) and even though they didn’t understand it, they moved forward with Him. Not all decisions will have suffering (thank God!), and some decisions will be very easy to see how God is wanting us to move. When the time come when there is a decision that is hard to make, that is when we have to lean in and listen to what God is trying to tell us. And even when it is hard to hear, if we know Who it is coming from, we know that in the end that God will be with us. “When God holds our hand, what does it matter if the way is dark, or if we don’t know where we are going?” -Venerable Mother Clelia Merloni 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 some decisions in your life that you need to trust God with? Do you ever question God? How can you turn this into a pray of trust rather than becoming full of fear? How can you learn to hear the voice of God better in your life? 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. "Jesus, I trust in You." "Here I am Lord." "Show me the way." 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? Find a time today to put down all distractions and let yourself be in silence to contemplate the mercy of God and let Him speak to you. Give Him that time, and let Him reveal His deep love and mercy. 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.
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 seed is the word of God.” Every time I read or hear the parable in today’s gospel, it reminds me of a time in college when I learned not everyone is strong enough to follow God’s word in the world. When I went to Florida State, my time with the Catholic Student Union helped form my faith life. We had men’s/women’s groups, ice cream socials after mass, college football tailgates, and, most importantly, retreats. During the retreat we got to meet several Catholics who went to FSU but weren’t regular members of CSU — or practicing their faith for that matter. It was amazing how one weekend in the presence of our Lord worked in the hearts of those who didn’t regularly attend mass. To see Christ light a fire in them was a beautiful thing. Then, we got back to reality. The same people I saw fall in love with God seemed to fall out of love as quickly. It was similar to the seeds in Jesus’ parable that fell on rocky ground or in the thorns. At the time, I didn’t get it. Why not be there for God when he’s always been there for you? As I look back, I realize He was also teaching me understanding. Although not everyone falls on rich soil, sometimes we’re called to be that helping hand for anyone who fell on rocky ground or in the thorns. 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 areas of your life where you are seeing the seeds God has planted flourish? How about the parts of your life where you are struggling to keep God's Word alive in your life? How have you seen God work in the lives of those around you? Who is someone in your life who you know needs your love to help them come back to their faith? How can you be an influence and a voice of God's love in the lives of those you know? 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. "Let your Word grow in my life." "Jesus I trust in You." "Speak to my heart, Lord." 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? Find someone to visit with in the next few days. Even though it's a busy time. Even though you have to study. Even though it's the beginning of summer. Even though there's just so many other things to do. Find time to visit with someone. 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 Brandon Hudson, a news reporter in Philadelphia, 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). Do you remember when you first met Jesus? When your heart encountered His deep Love for you? What happened in you? Each soul may interact with Jesus differently, but I think we all have something in common: when we meet Jesus, we want to stay close to His heart. When we feel His merciful love washing away our sinfulness and raising up the goodness of our created humanity, we want to remain on the journey with Jesus wherever that may take us. To be loved unconditionally is rare and radical and something that is true for us every moment. Our Lord traveled town to town to heal those who were hurting the most, and heal them He did! The Gospel speaks of these freed women continuing to support Jesus in serving new towns because they knew the impact He had had in their lives. They gave of their resources yes; but I think more importantly it says they were with Jesus and the apostles. They could have given money, or oils, or goods and that would’ve been a great deed in thanksgiving for Jesus healing them, but they had met Jesus. In meeting Jesus their hearts realized that in spending time with Him they became more alive in who they were created to be; they became a part of a heavenly mission. As Christians we are bombarded by need. We see the need of the poor at home and abroad, shocking amounts of monetary need. We encounter the pain of loneliness in people we meet daily. We hear about this charity and that ministry and this fundraiser and it can become overwhelming. Jesus has done so much good for me. Jesus has loved me in my brokenness. He’s forgiven me. He’s brought me deep joy in being known. The desire to serve every need of the world may rise up in us from our gratitude - and to give to any cause we can is noble and some cases necessary - and yet the women in the Gospel today teach us how to live in the spirit of gratitude. We live in the spirit of gratitude by remaining by the side of Jesus. If Jesus wants to enter into a vulnerable conversation with another person about how life is really going, I want to go there. If Jesus wants me to give more of my time in service, then I’m ready to throw on a pair of gloves and start working. If Jesus wants me to wake up a few minutes early so that I can let Him love me at the beginning of the day, my alarm clock will be set. These women who were free of their infirmities were beside Jesus heading to each town, unaware of what was to come, and yet they continued to give. Where is Jesus leading you today? 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. Do you remember when you first met Jesus? What happened in you? How can you thank Jesus for what He has given you? Where is Jesus leading you today? How can you remain by His side? 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. "Jesus, lead me." "I want to follow you." "Lead me Lord." 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, thank Jesus for all He has done in your life. Then spend some time asking Him where He wants to lead you and follow Him in gratitude. 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 Robert Blood, seminarian of the Diocese of Rockford.
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). Take a moment to imagine the way Simon the Pharisee would have heard Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel. I can almost picture the prodding look in Jesus’ eyes when he turned to Simon and said, “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages…” “Ahhh,” Simon the Pharisee must have thought to himself. “Five hundred days’ wages! He’s talking about this sinful woman. What an impossible debt to pay. I’m sure that the creditor will take the first debtor as a slave until it can be paid off. This woman’s sins have caught up to her; she’s doomed. I’m glad I’m not like her.” Until Jesus continued, with a knowing look at Simon: “And the other debtor owed fifty… [both of them] were unable to repay the debt.” It can be tempting to focus on other people’s sins as the really serious ones, without ever considering the weight of our own sins. Simon the Pharisee had sinned, just like the woman he was so quick to condemn — in fact, later in this Gospel, Jesus outlines all the ways that Simon fell short of loving Him just in the last hour. These “small” sins are easy to ignore, but they wound our hearts and need the forgiveness of the merciful Father just as much as the big ones do. Maybe you feel like your sins are like the crushing weight of five hundred days’ wages, or maybe you relate a little more to the Pharisee, who’s sins weren’t “as bad” as someone else’s. Either way, your sins can be forgiven only when you bring them to the feet of Jesus, who is love and mercy Himself. And in those moments when we might be tempted to think we haven’t fallen, like the Pharisee, we need to ask for the grace to see both the weight of our own debt and the great mercy of forgiveness that is offered to each one of us. No matter how small or large the debt of our sins, we deserve nothing, but Jesus offers everything. 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 little sins that you don't really take the time to think about, or the ones that seem too small to ask God for mercy over? What are some of the big sins that are weighing on your heart, like a five hundred days wages? How will you seek God's mercy today to receive His forgiveness and love? 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. "Lord, have mercy." "Clean my heart." "I'm sorry and I love 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, sit down with God and be real about your sins. Open up to Him about the little things and the big things and ask for His mercy. Open your heart to His love and you will receive it. Also, some time this week, go to Confession and receive His mercy sacramentally. 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 Becca O’Hara, who loves Jesus and lives with her husband Chris in Halifax, Canada, where they both work for the Church.
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