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CARPE VERBUM


Whoever is Not Against You is For You

9/30/2019

 

​​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.
LUKE 9:46-50

​​​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).
Have you ever had a conversation about faith with someone who isn’t Catholic? Our Protestant brothers and sisters share a lot of beliefs in common with us, even if we don’t agree on everything. I have been to a few different Christian services to see what they are like. Although I missed the True Presence in the Eucharist, there was still something compelling about the service.

When I hear the end of today’s Gospel, “Whoever is not against you is for you”, I think of our Protestant brothers and sisters. It can be disheartening seeing so many people in Protestant churches and not as many in Catholic churches. Even though the Catholic Church has the fullness of the Truth, when it comes to bringing people to Christ they are still doing a great and beautiful thing for the Kingdom of God. 

I heard an analogy in a talk one time comparing the Catholic Church to a giant ship. A great captain sent the ship off to sea with navigation for home and lots of equipment. But eventually, some of the members on the ship decided to go build their own boats and sail home. They had to use the supplies from the original ship to build their boats and ships and take directions from the original navigation. The other boats and ships sail in the same direction as the original ship, for the most part. 

Jesus founded the Catholic Church and appointed people in charge to lead His followers. All Christians strive for holiness and are on the path to Heaven. Each Christian denomination have some if not a lot of the same structure and tradition, many of which be traced back to Catholic tradition. Unless someone is refuting the Truth of the Catholic Church when they are leading people to have a relationship with Christ, they are for us, not against us. 

So do not get discouraged if people who do not know the fullness of the Truth but still lead people to Christ. There are many forms of evangelizing working towards building the Kingdom of God. Just remember Jesus’ words: “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

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.
Who do you need to reach out to and tell about Christ? 

Catholic. Why are you Catholic? How would you answer this to another person? 

How are you striving for holiness?

​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.
"Lord I need you."

"For Jesus."

"All things are possible for God."

​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?
Today, pray about how you would answer the question, why are you Catholic? Who are you called to share that answer with today? 

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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.
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​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.

Don't Be Complacent

9/29/2019

 

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. 
Amos 6:1A, 4-7

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).
“Woe to the complacent in Zion!”

Whew! That one sentence speaks volumes! In today’s first reading, those folks are living their best life. I would have double of whatever they’re having. In reality though, being God’s follower doesn’t always equal living the good life. If you’ve read at least one book in the Bible, then you know the lives of his disciples are a roller-coaster of ups and downs. It’s at the worst times when God calls out to us.

My wife recently delivered twins, but her pregnancy was far from easy. Midway through, some doctors weren’t sure our baby boy and girl would make it. A stark contrast after an easy-going first trimester. She needed a surgical procedure, which was more common for women carrying one baby and somewhat uncharted territory for women with twins. During that time, my boss told me you can’t have a testimony without being tested. It was at that moment, I realized God was reaching out for us more than ever. We prayed everyday. We welcomed prayer after prayer from our friends and family. When the time came, we welcomed our two “little miracles.”

Life is difficult, but it’s in our toughest moments that God wants us closer to Him. Remember, you can’t have a testimony without being tested.

Welcome to the world Abigail Mae and Brandon William, our two "little miracles!"

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.
What are some areas in your life that you are complacent and maybe shouldn't be?

What are some ways you can stay engaged in the important things in life (big and small) so that you don't become complacent?

What are the miracles God is trying to work in your life today?

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.
"Thank You Jesus."

"Come Holy Spirit."

"I Love You Lord."

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?
Find that area in your life right now that you are not living to the fullest and give it your all for the Glory of God.

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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.
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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.

Ego Catholicus Sum

9/28/2019

 

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. 
2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14

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).
​Depending on where you go to Mass today, you have the chance of hearing three different sets of readings: the normal ordinary time readings, the memorial of St. Wenceslaus, or the memorial of Sts. Lawrence Ruiz and companions. And while it’d be worth it to look through all of the different readings for today, I’d like to focus in on the readings for St. Lawrence Ruiz and his fellow martyrs.

Turn your attention to the first reading from 2 Maccabees. If you have time today, I’d invite you to read the full story, all of chapter 7 from 2 Maccabees. Both books 1 and 2 of Maccabees describe the Jewish rebellion against the Hellenistic empire that ruled over them and were attempting to force the Jewish people to adopt their customs and renounce their religion. In this particular account, the scriptural author recounts the story of a mother and her seven sons who willingly endured suffering and death for the sake of their faith, refusing to renounce it even the slightest bit.

When you look at the life of St. Lawrence Ruiz, he demonstrates the same zeal and courage. A Filipino missionary to Japan, St. Lawrence was a normal lay person for the Church: a married man with children and a strong devotion to his faith. Almost immediately upon his arrival in Japan (which at the time was violently resistant to the Catholic faith) he was detained, tortured, and martyred for the faith. According to legend, his final words were: "ego Catholicus sum et animo prompto paratoque pro Deo mortem obib. Si mille vitas haberem, cunctas ei offerrem (EN: I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God. Had I a thousand lives, all these to Him shall I offer)."

Ego Catholicus sum. I am a Catholic.

Today, let the martyrs be your example. Think of the situations in your life where it is difficult to proclaim your life boldly and proud. Are you willing to say ego Catholicus sum? Are you willing to say that you are a Catholic? One of the most profound meanings behind today’s first reading is that the four brother martyred alludes to the resurrection, one of the few times in the Old Testament: “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by Him.” (2 Maccabees 7:14)

For your own life, recognize this: in dying to yourself, you will be raised up by Him. Make no mistake about it, giving of ourselves, sacrificing to boldly proclaim the faith, it’s difficult. It will never be easy. But the glory that awaits you is far more important, far more noble, far more honorable, than shying away and pretending you are someone you are not. Today, look at the situations in your life where it is difficult to proclaim the faith, face them head on, and proudly, boldly, and unashamedly say, ego Catholics sum. I am a Catholic. AMDG.

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.
In what ways can the martyrs be your example today to step out in faith even when it is difficult?

How often do you find yourself willing to say you are Catholic? Why is it difficult sometimes, if it is, and how can you rely on God's strength to say it anyways?

God is calling each one of us, on a daily basis, to die to ourselves that we may live for him and the Kingdom that he has prepared for us. How can you live out that calling today?

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 am Catholic."

"Ego Catholicus sum."

​"Jesus, I trust in you."

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?
Share your faith with at least one person today. Whether it's someone you meet new or someone you just haven't shared with before, tell them about your love for Jesus. 

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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.
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Today's prayer was prepared by Matthew Maxwell, a graduate of Franciscan University currently working as a Youth Minister in St. Louis. 

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.

Contemporary Disciples

9/27/2019

 

​​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.
LUKE 9:18-22

​​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).
There’s a problematic way of thinking that Pope Saint John Paul II was not a big fan of. This incorrect way of thinking is often called “The Fundamental Option.” That is, some people wrongly say that each believer makes a fundamental choice, a foundational decision, a once-in-a-lifetime decision to follow Jesus or not to follow Jesus.

If your fundamental option is against Jesus, uh-oh. Look out. Hope you like warm weather. If your fundamental option is for Jesus then there’s really nothing else to worry about. If you’ve made your fundamental choice to follow Christ, then there’s really no such thing as deadly sin. If we make our fundamental option for Jesus, then we can pretty much live as we wish.

But that’s not really how the Christian life goes. The First Letter of John tells us there is such a thing as sin that can kill the soul of the believer (1 John 5:16). We’re also told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) and that many are called, few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).

Clearly, following Jesus is difficult, it’s demanding, it necessitates sacrifice, it requires the Cross. Following Jesus is nothing something we decide to do at our baptism or confirmation or in a significant God-moment. Being is a disciple is something we decide to do each day, in each moment, at each opportunity to accept and cooperate with grace or to turn away and choose ourselves over the God who is peace and love and fulfillment and communion and love.

​In today’s Gospel Jesus asks his disciples who He is. We, the modern day, contemporary disciples, answer that question in each choice we make, in every decision we carry out.

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.
Do you believe there's a sin that you can commit that will forfeit your place in Heaven? That there's anything that the Lord can't forgive if you are truly sorry?

Are you prepared to take up your cross to follow the Lord?

When was the last time you went to confession to reconcile yourself to the Lord?

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 love you Lord."

"I want to follow you."

"Here I am Lord."

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?
Take time to go to confession this weekend. Do an examination of conscience and confess those things in your life that have pulled you away from the Lord.

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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.
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Today's prayer was prepared by Fr. Jon Bakkelund, priest of the Diocese of Rockford. 

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.
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