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). In high school, one of my favorite praise and worship songs was “You Are Holy” by Michael W. Smith. From my first Steubenville Conference to singing the song in a hotel room late at night before the March for Life to incorporating it into a talk during my senior year retreat, this song followed me around. Besides the male-female vocals and the beautiful harmonies, what captivated me was how the lyrics truly fulfill the goal of praise and worship. They recognize and praise God for who he is. And by knowing who he is, we are called to change ourselves. We are called to respond. Here’s a sample of the lyrics: “You are holy, / You are mighty, / You are worthy, / Worthy of praise. / I will follow, / I will listen, / I will love You / All of my days. “You are Lord of lords, / You are King of kings, / You are mighty God, / Lord of everything. / … / You are alpha, omega, / Beginning and end. / You're my Savior, Messiah, / Redeemer and friend. / You are my Prince of Peace, and I will live my life for You.” Like the angels, we are called to cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” For when we know who God is, how can we keep from declaring his goodness? We’ve all had times where we’ve been on the spiritual mountain, where God feels close, where we recognize his goodness and feel the joy of being loved by him. It can be easy at that moment to hear the call to follow God, to make him the Lord of your life, and to respond like Isaiah saying, “Here I am … send me!” But those feelings don’t always last. And yet we are still called to praise him. We are still called to follow him. We are still called to make him the Lord of our life. I’ve been singing this song to myself in the quiet of my car for years, and its message is one I continually need to take to heart. For here in the crazy, here in the messy, here in the depressed and anxious, God is calling me to look at him and recognize him for who he is. And even here he asks gently, “Will you follow me?” And I pray each day that I can find the words to praise him and say, “Yes, here I am. Send me. You are Lord, and I will live my life for 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. In what ways is God calling out to you right now, asking for your response? What are the songs, Scripture verses, quotes, or other things God is using to speak to you exactly where you are in your life right now? Are you able, right now, to tell God that you are here, waiting for him, ready to respond? If not, how can you prepare your heart for that proper response? 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. "Here I am." "Send me." "You are holy." 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? Look for one concrete way to respond to God's call in your life today. Maybe it's more time in prayer. Maybe it's a visit or call to a sick relative that lets you stay safe and distanced but show them God's love. Maybe it's reaching out to a friend you've lost touch with. Maybe it's spending some time working on a game plan to overcome a habitual pattern of sin. Whatever it is, do something concrete today to respond to God's call in 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 Ava Lalor, an editor for a Catholic newspaper.
If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).
When I read today’s passage, I thought about how the apostles would be feeling as they listened to Jesus. It doesn’t sound so great-sheep in the midst of wolves, scourging, hatred. But right in the middle of the passage, Jesus tells them not to worry.
Seriously Lord? You aren’t painting the most beautiful picture of what we are going into here! But we shouldn’t worry? And Jesus is saying, yes, all these hard things may happen to you, BUT you will not be alone. No matter what comes their way, the Holy Spirit will be there as their advocate and guide. Even if these horrible things come upon you (and they probably will), He will not leave you. Quite honestly, I need to hear these words right now. I am often so overcome with the worry of the world that I neglect to see the Creator of the world’s presence in my life. I want to follow Jesus. My heart believes that with every fiber of its being. But my hands and head get in the way. What is this going to look like Lord? How will I know what to say? How will I know what to do? When will I know if it’s the right time or the wrong time? If someone asks me about You, what should I say? What will I do if this gets too difficult? The Gospel reads, “You will be given at that moment what you are to say.” What a relief! But also, what a challenge of faith! Do I trust that when the going gets tough that God will show up for me and be there for me? It makes me think about swimming with my children. My son loves to jump into the pool full steam ahead. Even as a small child, he would just go right over the edge without even looking for an adult to catch him. With my daughter, there was much hesitation to jump in. She needed to know and see that you were right there for her. She would hold onto my fingers so tightly I thought they’d turn blue. She needed that reassurance that I was there. That this was safe. That she was safe. I was calling her into the water and she needed to know that I was there to catch her. In this passage, Jesus says, “I am sending you.” Jesus is sending us. He is calling us into the waters of life in search of souls. While it may look like He is sending us off the edge of the pool alone, into a den of wolves perhaps, He is not. The Holy Spirit is right there waiting for us to jump in. Jesus does not leave us alone so we need not worry. We can jump right into the pool like my son. Trusting that no matter what happens after we take that leap into the world-into the water-Jesus will show up for us. We do not need to worry. 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 questions are your 'go-to' when you're consumed with worry?
Have you considered your mission? What you're being SENT to do? Are you worried about what to say, what to do, or what will happen when you are sent to somewhere outside of your comfort zone? 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 will follow you."
"I will go where I am sent." "I trust you will give me the words." 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?
Take some time today to ask the Lord where He's sending you. Write down what you need to begin your mission.
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 Megan Kramer, a parishioner at St. Mary's Parish in Huntley, IL. If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today. 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). To be #woke today is to be awoken to some reality that you had not previously known – especially in reference to social justice. Often times it is used as a badge of honor, a humble brag, a sign of being on the inside. “I am so woke,” we say, as we do or say something which we are proud of or think is approved of by others. As Christians, are we #woke for Jesus? Have we been touched by the Gospel in a way that wakes us from an old way of seeing the world, and into a new way of encountering God and others? Today’s Gospel reading has played a pivotal role in the lives of many sinners and has been a catalyst for their awakening to desire to become a saint! Two saints whose spiritual journeys took a turn for the better after they encountered this exact Gospel were St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony of the Desert. These men, who were asleep to the voice of God in their lives, began to awake to a new way of living by the power of God’s word speaking to them. Have you awoken to Jesus’ desire for you and love for you in your life? St. Francis and St. Anthony awoke to this love God has for them through this Gospel, and they awoke to a desire to conform their lives to be more like Christ. St. Francis did this so intensely that he received the stigmata, he was physically marked with the wounds of Christ himself. These saints awoke to the realization that God wanted to be so close to them, to envelop them in his love, and then to mission to share his peace, his joy, and his love with others, to be missionaries of Mercy. God desires to do the same for us – to awaken us from spiritual sleep. What causes us to sleep? Sin. As Pope Francis wrote, sin causes us to become drowsy, to age in our hearts, and to become cold, whereas God’s grace keeps the heart young, aflame, and awake. As Christians, Christ comes to awaken us from our slumber, to infuse us with new life, and to send us out to share his peace, joy, and mercy. A Christian is called to be #woke, but to be #woke for Christ. How is God’s word today, stirring in your heart, and where might God be speaking to you, like he did to Francis and Anthony, to awake from your slumber to and dare to live with him anew? 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. Have you been touched by the Gospel in a way that wakes you from an old way of seeing the world and into a new way of encountering God and others? Have you awoken to Jesus’ desire of love for you in your life? How is God calling you to conform your life to his love today? 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. "Awaken my heart." "Help me follow you." "I am yours." 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, conform your thoughts and actions to what Jesus would do out of his love. In the little daily things and the bigger, maybe more frustrating things, take a second and ask Jesus how you can conform your heart to his and follow his example of love. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you throughout the day. 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 Jon Polce, SJ.
If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today. 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). As I was reflecting on the Apostles and what the work they did, it seems absolutely insane. Picture yourself as Simon (Peter) and really starting the first church, with the help of the Holy Spirit, after Jesus ascends into heaven. While starting up the Church is fantastic, there was a lot of hard work that went into getting it started. Now look at where we are. Started from the bottom now we here! All jokes aside, like Peter, we ourselves had to start at the bottom with our own faith lives. Think back to the first time you showed up to a retreat, youth ministry event, or other random event at your parish. There was probably something, or someone, to continuously draw you back. The priests, youth ministers, other staff, and volunteers put in many hours and plenty of effort into programs, retreats, and events to help all of us encounter, grow, and have a deeper relationship with the Lord. These people us want us to grow closer to Jesus. They want us to be like the apostles and go out to share the good news and evangelize. However, their ultimate goal is for us to realize that they are only a stepping-stone in our faith lives. They are great friends and will guide us as needed, but in the end we are the ones making the decisions. At some point, we need to step up, be courageous, and go out as the disciples did. This is not an easy task to do, but imagine if the apostles said no to their tasks, and imagine what can happen by saying yes to yours. 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 was my first real experience of church and of my parish community? What has kept me rooted in my faith and coming back to church time and time again? Where can I step out in faith and say yes to God today? 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. "Here I am, Lord." "Yes, Lord." "Be courageous." 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? Take a moment today to thank someone who has helped guide you in your faith. 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 Mary Andren, a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today. |
Join!
Receive a daily text or email.
Connect!
Archives
July 2020
|
RSS Feed
