Ask for Help

9/9/2018

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.

MARK 7:31-37

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).

This Gospel passage touches on a theme that appears sever al times in scripture, and that is the importance of others on our walk with Christ. When we read this passage, we can easily focus on the miracle Christ performs. However, I want to bring to your attention the line “people brought to him a deaf man.” That man would have never been healed by Christ if it wasn’t for his friends and those who brought him.

This idea of community, friends helping each other get closer to Christ, is something that is seen all over the New Testament, but we should look at it from the perspective of the community and of the deaf man himself. The deaf man needed the community because without them, he would have never been brought to Christ. However, the deaf needed to allow his community to help him.

It is one thing to be a part of a community like a youth group; it is another thing entirely to allow that group to help you when you need it. I don’t know you or your personality; maybe you have no problem asking for help. I know that this is something that took me a long time to desire. All throughout high school and even college I was able to surround myself with guys that were trying to live the will of God for their life. I had no problem going to those guys and sharing what was going on in my life. For me, that was something I was very comfortable with. What was uncomfortable and incredibly difficult was when one of my friends would call me out on my behavior. See, I liked the idea that I was sharing my struggles and that it was somehow enough. I thought that just talking about it would be good enough. However, when I was faced with actually doing something about my vices and struggles I really didn’t want anything to do with that. Even though it was difficult and uncomfortable letting my friends actually help me, it is something that took me a long time to embrace. When I finally embraced my community and all that it could do for me, I started to see real, noticeable changes in my life.

Just like the deaf man needed his friends to bring him to Christ and be healed, we too need our friends to be bringing us to the Lord. Just simply being a part of a community is not enough. We need to allow for that community to come into our lives and let them bring us to the Lord. Otherwise, what is the point in being apart of a community of people striving for holiness if we never let them actually help us be more holy?

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.

When was the last time you asked for help. Was it hard? How did it bring you closer to Christ?

Why do we need help from others?

How does help from others bring us closer 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.

"Lord I need help."

"Help me see you."

"Make me holy."

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?

During the month of September, we ask that each day, for the Action step of our lectio divina, everyone prays a Divine Mercy Chaplet together for the healing of all victims of clerical abuse of any kind as well as for the healing and guidance of our Church.
For more information on why we are doing this action step and a simple lock screen or how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, click here.

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 Jason Liuzzi, a middle school religion teacher at St. John the Evangelist School in St John, IN.

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.

CARPE VERBUM