STEP #1: LECTIO / READLuke 12:13-21 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.” STEP #2: MEDITATIO / MEDITATEWhat do you want out of life? This is one of my favorite ways to get to know someone. It can tell you so much about them depending on their answer. This is the heart of the Gospel message today: what do you want out of life? Take a few moments and answer this question for yourself. What do I want out of life? I don't know what your answer was. Was it about your future plans? Was it about your dream career? Dream college? Was it about relationships? You want to be married? Have a family? Maybe it was about pleasing your parents? Maybe it was about traveling, all the places you want to go, everything you want to see? Maybe it was about goals you want to accomplish? Or the car you hope to buy? Maybe it was something else entirely. Let me ask you the same question, but in a different way. If this was your funeral, what would you want them to say? Would you want them to talk about your car? Or your travels? Or your career? What do you want your legacy to be? I don't know what you said to any of these questions. There's not really a wrong answer. But there is one answer that should come first: knowing and loving God. Knowing and loving God is what matters. Life is not about possessions. Life is not about where we go. It is even not about our college choices or our career paths. Life is about knowing God and leading others to Him. Maybe this sounds crazy to you. But knowing Jesus and following Him isn't about giving up what makes you you or becoming some sort of Christian robot. I think a lot of people fear that. Instead knowing and loving Jesus truly helps you find yourself. How will you follow Jesus? Do you know Him? I mean really and truly know Him? Ask Jesus for help with what you need. Maybe it is about entering into a relationship with Him. Maybe it is about going deeper into a relationship with Him you're working on building? Today, open your heart to where Jesus wants you. Open your heart to following Him and putting Him first. Open your heart to making Jesus the most important part of your life. "It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise. " - St. John Paul II STEP #3: ORATIO / PRAYWhat do I value? What do I want out of life? STEP #4: CONTEMPLATIO / CONTEMPLATE"I choose you Jesus." "Jesus, be part of my life." FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY...Make a list of three goals for your life. Take some time to think about them, pray about them. What do you really want to do with your life? SMARTPHONE LOCK SCREEN  Today's prayer was prepared by Lisa Kendzior.
Step #1: Lectio / ReadJeremiah 26:11-16, 24 The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, “This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: “It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear.” Thereupon the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.” So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateWords are a funny thing. Most of the time, in my life, I feel like they're a difficult thing. I can't figure out the right word to use, or I say the wrong one and don't even realize it, or I say a word that's really big and someone asks me what it means and I have no idea. Sometimes, too, I'll say the wrong thing to someone. Being a guy, I don't always realize that what I said might be a bit too harsh for the other person until I've said it. When I see the look on the person's face (often my wife, Sarah, who genuinely listens when I say things) I realize that I probably said that wrong and I immediately begin to walk my words back. Other times, the difficult words that are said are ones that are directed at me by friends who have my best interest in mind and say something that strikes a little bit too close to home. These friends care about me, and when they realize that there is something I'm struggling with they tell me things I need to hear - I just don't want to hear them. Later, when I have some time to think about things, I'll realize that they were right and I'll thank them - but, oftentimes, I won't do that in the moment. Today's reading from Jeremiah gives us an example of a pretty similar moment for the people in Jeremiah's time. Jeremiah, a prophet of God, is going around and telling the people hard truths about what will happen to God's people if they continue along the path on which they are currently walking. At the beginning of the reading today, the priests and prophets are trying to convince the people to kill Jeremiah for what he has said. In his response, Jeremiah quite simply reminds them of something they've forgotten: these weren't his words, they were God's, and therefore they should be heard and followed. Next time my friends challenge me to be better, I'm going to try really hard to remember Jeremiah. Next time I'm in prayer and I hear the voice of the Lord gently encouraging me to change, I'm going to try really hard to remember Jeremiah. Next time I have a friend or family member who needs to be encouraged to follow the Lord, I'll try really hard to remember Jeremiah. You see, the thing of it is this: God wants to speak to me. Many times, I respond like the people in Jeremiah's time and shut Him out, but I need to learn to listen more closely to Him. Instead of doing that, I need to learn to listen, because in listening to Him I'll become who I'm supposed to be. Step #3: Oratio / Pray"Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God" Lord, am I willing to listen to? How can I be more open to what You want to say to me? What things are you asking me to do in my life today, Lord? Who are the voices in my life that I need to listen to more? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateSpeak to me, Lord. Your servant is listening. Guide my life, Lord. For the Rest Of Your Day...Reflect on the people in your life who speak God's truths into your life, and find a way to make them more a part of your life so that you can listen to God. Smartphone Lock Screen Today's prayer was prepared by Jason Theobald,
Director of Youth Ministry for St. Mary's in Huntley. STEP #1: LECTIO / READLuke 10:38-42 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” STEP #2: MEDITATIO / MEDITATEToday on the memorial of St. Martha the Church gives us options for the Gospel...I chose Luke 10:38-42. In this familiar story we hear of the serving Martha and listening Mary, and the reminder from Jesus that Mary chose the better part. A gentle yet important point that listening is vital in each of our spiritual journeys. I write this very brief reflection in the quiet northwoods of Michigan, although a young man is mowing the lawn at our cabin as we speak. Jesus is always inviting us to sit at His feet like Mary did. It is refreshing, renewing, and I would dare to say required for our sanctification. Recent statistics show that Americans on average pray 8.4 minutes a day and only 9 percent even attempt to pray each day. Could this have anything to do with the drastic changes we see in our country today? Without a doubt! Jesus invites us to make ourselves accountable when we get too busy...slow down, put ourselves in a quiet place and simply listen to God. Jesus says, "whoever has ears ought to hear." Are we listening? STEP #3: ORATIO / PRAYYou are anxious and worried about many things. What about turning to God and listening? Read the gospel again and listen to what Jesus is telling you about your own life. What did you hear? STEP #4: CONTEMPLATIO / CONTEMPLATE"If today you hear my voice harden not your hearts." "(Insert your name) you have chosen the better part and it will not be taken away from you." FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY...Spend more than 8.4 minutes today asking Jesus to help you establish a more committed prayer life in order to listen to the Lord. SMARTPHONE LOCK SCREEN Today's prayer was prepared by Fr. John McNamara, priest of the Diocese of Rockford.
STEP #1: LECTIO / READJeremiah 18:1-6 This word came to Jeremiah from the LORD: Rise up, be off to the potter’s house; there I will give you my message. I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel. STEP #2: MEDITATIO / MEDITATEHave you ever seen a potter throw and shape a piece of clay? If not, I would highly suggest looking it up on YouTube because it is pretty remarkable! A few months ago I visited a pottery shop and was able to make a cup out of clay. It was a lot harder than I expected. I basically moved my hands under the guidance of the potter, but my cup looked pretty good. When I went to take it off the wheel, however, I fumbled my hands dropping the cup and it was no longer able to be used as it was. I was sad and a little upset with myself, but the potter reassured me that he would still be able to use that clay. The first reading today from Jeremiah reminded me of that moment. We need to remember that God is the Master Potter. He can make beauty out of anything, even when we think it is messed up and no good. When I see how precise and patient the master clay potters are in the videos, it reminds me that God is even more precise and patient with me as he shapes my life. There are times while being formed where I do not understand the plan and I think I have a better design, but God is the Master Potter and has an exquisite design in plan. The most beautiful thing, which is displayed in today’s reading, is that even if something does not go as planned, God will continue to shape me. When I fumble, God still takes me and can make something extravagant out of me. I find it challenging at times to let God form me in His hands. I want to take over the design because I know what is best, right? But when I let God shape, mold, and design my life, it is way more beautiful than I could have imagined! I simply need to be clay in His hands. STEP #3: ORATIO / PRAY"Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel." Am I allowing myself to be clay in God's hands? When have I thought my designs where better than God's designs? Has there been a time when I thought things were a disaster, then stepped aside and let God take over? What was the result? STEP #4: CONTEMPLATIO / CONTEMPLATE"Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand" "Trust in God's design for your life." "Jesus, I trust in you." FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY...Consider how God is forming and shaping your life today. Trust in God's plan and simply be clay in God's hands SMARTPHONE LOCK SCREEN  Today's prayer was prepared by Kayla Essner.
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