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 ever stop to think about how truly profound it is to have the words of the incarnate God, Jesus Christ, recorded for us to read, reflect, and pray with each day?
I’m very confident that the below meditation pales in comparison to the potent teaching from Jesus in today’s Gospel. Nevertheless, here are a few points to ponder. Jesus references Genesis 2:24 when he states: “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” For whatever reason, I don’t always think of Adam and Eve as married couple. Especially, before the fall. But they were “man and wife” as the author of Genesis clearly states. The Catholic Catechism teaches us that the first humans enjoyed “friendship” and “familiarity” with God (CC 374-378). I find it interesting to imagine God sanctifying the marriage between Adam and Eve in some form of blessing or ritual. In citing Genesis, Jesus reminds us of the sacredness of marriage, which he established from the beginning of humanity. The latter half of the Gospel speaks on the concept of celibacy for the kingdom, which we see on display in the lives of religious sisters, brothers, priests, and the many single lay people who have devoted their lives to the Church and service of others. A friend of mine who is a seminarian was recently interviewed as part of a virtual Catholic conference. He spoke on how married people are called to love God in a specific way through serving their spouse and children. He went on to describe the call to celibacy in a similar vein—as a way in which he could fully consecrate his life to loving God. As we begin today’s prayer, I encourage us consider our vocation (married, religious, single) and how we can better love God in our state of life. 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 can I do today, in my vocation, to love God better?
How might you grow in your vocation to love? No matter our state in life, we are called to love God more and more each day. Have you considered the ultimate vocation to be friendship and familiarity with God? 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 am here."
"I come as I am." "Lead me toward Love." 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 and this weekend to look at the people around you who are living the fullness of their vocation: priests, deacons, married people. See how they are loving the Lord. Pray for them by name, and then ask the Lord to reveal your vocation to you.
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 Liam Brady, an accountant in Chicago. 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. Comments are closed.
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