Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).
“Be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” When you think about it, we do a lot of waiting as human beings. I remember waiting as a kid for my parents to get home from date night, waiting in line with my high school friends for the midnight premiere of a movie, and waiting for college acceptance letters to arrive (among many other occasions of waiting). Some waits take longer than others, and some test our patience more than others. But what do we do when the wait is over? How do we respond? The end of waiting sometimes brings a joyful conclusion, such as getting accepted into a first choice college or seeing a family member we haven’t seen in awhile. Or sometimes, the end of waiting brings a sadder conclusion, such as the death of a loved one who has been suffering from a terminal illness. No matter what we are waiting for, that time of wait involves some sort of preparation. Waiting is not a passive action as time moves forward but an active step into the future the Lord has prepared for us. In today’s Gospel, we read that the servants were “ready to open immediately” when the master returned. They expected their master’s return and didn’t waste their time. God knows what is going on in our lives and in our hearts. He doesn’t want us to just sit around and wait, but He wants us to anticipate his return by seeking to glorify Him in all that we do in the meantime. God is still present in the waiting. He seeks us out in love and desires us to respond with love at every moment. 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.
How do I handle having to wait in my life? Do I sometimes grow impatient or angry while waiting? Or do I see it as a chance to anticipate that for which I am waiting? In what ways is my life on earth a "waiting" for the Lord? How am I spending this time to be ready to welcome him like the servants in the Gospel? How can I shift my focus in waiting to one of anticipation and joy and not impatience and frustration? 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.
"We wait for you, Lord." "Help me be prepared to welcome you." "You are present in the waiting." Step #5: Actio / ActIn 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.
Take some time today to consider what it would be like if God returned in glory right now. Take a spiritual inventory of your life: how you've been loving God and neighbor, how you've been failing, how you would greet God and how he would greet you. Let it be a moment of conversion and recommitment to striving after the Lord! 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 Maggie Super, Director of Youth Ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Church 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. Comments are closed.
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