An Amazing Gift

​​Step #1: Lectio / Read

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. 

Matthew 11:20-24

---

​​Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

​So Jesus definitely isn’t messing around in today’s Gospel. He is calling people out because they are given an amazing gift but act selfish and ungrateful. Sound familiar? It is actually scary because Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum could easily be replaced with New York, L.A., and Chicago! 

We honestly live in an amazing time. Of course we have our issues and struggles, but never before has it been so easy to communicate and to live with purpose. We have the ability to go to Mass EVERY DAY if we wanted to, yet we often don’t even go every week. The Early Church didn’t have parishes like we do, and they had to hide their faith so they weren’t killed. There are still some countries today where it is illegal to be Catholic! But we have to watch football, or catch up on our sleep, or earn a few extra bucks. 

We are the most gifted of God’s people yet we are the least grateful. We have the opportunity to be with Him and literally receive Him whenever we want; a gift thousands of people have literally died for. Let’s start living for it. Let us remember the great gift of faith we have and the home we have in the Catholic Church. Let us be as passionate about our God and our faith as the NBA and NHL trades this offseason, the newest episode of your favorite show, or your favorite band at Lollapalooza. People care a lot about a lot of things in this world, imagine if we cared that much about the only thing that is worth all of that attention. Sainthood starts today, let’s not waste these gifted days anymore.

---

​​Step #3: Oratio / Pray

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.

How often do you see the Mass and other sacraments as a gift? 

How passionate are you about the Mass? What are the things in our lives that keep us from being passionate about God? 

​What are some steps you can take in order to prioritize God in your life?

---

​​Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

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.

​“I want to receive you, Lord.”

“I want to put you first, Lord.”

"Thank you for each day."

---

​​Step #5: Actio / Act

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?

​Put aside some time in your day to offer up praise to God for all that He has done for us and those who have come before us. This Sunday, put in the effort to go to Mass and try to go to a daily Mass this week.

---

​​Smartphone Lock Screen

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 Sean Norris, Youth Minister at Our Lady of the Wayside Parish in Arlington Heights, IL.