Awake

​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 24:42-51

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​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).

What kind of servant will you be? The one who is ready to face the God who suffered and died out of love? Or will you be found groggy and off-guard?

Nobody knows when Jesus is coming back. Nobody knows when they will face Him when He comes back to earth or when they meet Him before the gates of Heaven. Are you ready to see Him? Or have you fallen asleep?

It can be really hard to keep our spiritual eyes open these days. All over the news we hear about men who fell asleep in their faith. Some servants of God have beaten their fellow servants and have found themselves in sin and hypocrisy. Today’s Gospel tells us that Christ will deal with them according to His justice. But do not let their mistakes lead you to the same hypocrisy! The truths and fullness of God’s love are found here in the Church. Christ’s body and blood, soul and divinity are offered to us at each Mass; we can receive unimaginable graces from Him through the Church! To turn away from Christ because of the sinful servants He warned us about is to let the thief enter your heart and steal what is most precious: the divine life and love of God. 

The Master still has faithful and prudent servants who are in charge of the Church and offer to us the spiritual food we need. So go receive the Eucharist, go to Reconciliation, receive the sacraments! They are the fuel we need to stay awake in our faith! It’s as if it’s 1am on a school night and you still have half a paper left to write. The sacraments are like the caffeine that keeps you awake and finish the paper (and get an A of course). Do not let the sins of others lull you to sleep but be bold and energized for the day you come face-to-face with Jesus Christ. 

The Holy Spirit will always be with you to lead you closer to Christ. Even if you have fallen into sin and run with the wrong crowd, Christ still offers His mercy to you. The Father’s arms are always open for you to run to Him; He will not turn you away. You might be in a sleepy state right now, for whatever reason that may be, but you can wake up. You’re not out of time and it is not too late to seek Christ’s mercy. With a humble heart, run to Him and love like He does. Until the day He returns, live as a faithful servant, loving others in the same selfless and sacrificing way Christ does.

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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 awake are you spiritually? Are you ready to see Jesus? What would He say to you?

How does the holiness of others effect you? Does someone else's lack of holiness drag you down or motivate you to go deeper with Christ?

How will go forward in your faith? How can you grow more energized?

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​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.

"Wake me up."

"Sustain me."

​"Have mercy."

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​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?

Do something that wakes you up spiritually, for at least 15 minutes. This could mean 15min of praise and worship, or 15min in adoration, or 15min reading the Bible, etc. Whatever you do, be intentional with your relationship with God. Let that 15min be a shot of caffeine for your soul. 

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​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.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Mary Griffin, a graduate student of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. 

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.