"For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to the light."

In a lot of ways, that line in today's gospel is INTENSE. For people who have grown up in a world that is hyper focused on our individual freedoms and rights, the fact that Jesus is saying that literally everything we say or do will one day come to light is a pretty direct shot. 

Why does Jesus say that? 

Jesus is speaking in this gospel about the reality of what it means to live as a Christian. You and I, by the grace of our baptism, have been made heirs to salvation and become adopted sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father. 

That's. a. big. deal.

Based on that reality, as adopted children of the Father, you and I have been given grace, the very life of God which now lives inside of us. This is the light Jesus is talking about, meant not to be hidden but to shine forth. In a world that so often throughout all of history – with our time certainly not being an exception – has been a mess, this light is vital to God's love being poured forth into people's lives. 

But what do we do with that light? We hide it. Specifically, we hide and obscure that light by thinking that as long as we're careful, as long as we hide our sin well, as long as nobody gets hurt (or at least not too many people), than a little sin here or there is okay. Yeah maybe I technically shouldn't do that thing or say that thing or think that thing, but nobody is getting hurt so it's fine. 

It's not fine. And for you and I who are reading this reflection, those of us taking the time to pray, those of us who are the ones who have been given much and therefore will have much expected of us, it's even more important that we realize it's not fine. Nothing that we do is hidden because God our Father is with us in each moment, loving us, caring for us, and calling us to greater things. 

When we became adopted children of the Father we had an eternal inheritance promised to us. Our job is to choose to accept that inheritance, not let the flame of love that brings us salvation die out in the darkness of our sin. 

Return to confession. Return to the Lord. Let him love you, care for you, and re-ignite in you the fire of faith that you had when you first met him. Run the race well, seeking holiness not just when you're being seen but in each moment, for you were made to be holy, one set apart for a purpose. 

"For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to the light." What does Jesus want you to take from this Gospel? 

How are you hiding the light of Christ? 

​When is the last time you made a good Confession? When can you go to confession?

"Lord, help me see the light."

"Lord I need you." 

"Where do I need your light?"

During the month of September, we ask that each day, for the Action step of our lectio divina, everyone prays a Divine Mercy Chaplet together for the healing of all victims of clerical abuse of any kind as well as for the healing and guidance of our Church.

For more information on why we are doing this action step and a simple lock screen or how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, click here.

Today's prayer was prepared by Jason Theobald, Executive Director of Carpe Verbum.

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. 

Click 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. 

Use 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

These 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?

In 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."

In 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?

The 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.

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. 

Click 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. 

​Use 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.

These 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?

In 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."

In 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?

The 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.  

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. 

Am I ready to follow him?

Am I holding on my to sin or my past or my failures? Are these preventing me from following Christ today?

Do I rest in the Lord's mercy? Or am I too focused on the sacrifices I'm 'supposed to be doing' for him?

"I will follow you."

"I will be merciful."

​"I trust in you."