Be A Light

​​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.

EPH 4:32–5:8

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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).

If you were a light, what kind of light would you be? No this isn't some weird youth ministry ice breaker questions, I really want you to think about this. Are you the candle that burns brightly and consistently? Are you the sparkly chandelier that reflects light? Are you the Pixar light that bounces everywhere? I think I would be the lamp that I have next to my bed, it is gold and shine bright so I don't trip and stub my toe or bash my knee. 

What I really want you to reflect on is how are you a child of the light? How do you shine Christ's life in the world?

That is our call, that is our mission. Even when we are surrounded by uncertainty and darkness we must be the light.

How do we do this? Lucky for us, St. Paul gives us instructions.

Be kind to one another, compassionate,
forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

These first things are: be kind, be compassionate, be forgiving are lessons that we teach preschool children. Yet, they seem to be lessons we forget when we grow up. We take opportunities to be unkind to those around us, on social media, talk back to our parents, snap at our friends, kid or spouse. We forget to think about what someone else is going through, rather we just judge them. And we forget to forgive, it seems now more than ever were holding on to grudges and preconceived notions.

We need to go back to our first lessons and remember what it means to be a light.

It all comes down to this from St. Paul,
Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,
as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us.

Love as Christ loved and you will bring His light to the world.

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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.

What kind of light are you? What is your purpose as a light?

How have you been practicing kindness? Compassion? Forgiveness? Which of these do you need to work on?

​How can you be more like Christ? 

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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.​

"Be a light."

"I am a child of the light."

"Help me be more like you."

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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?

Today what is one way you can practice compassion? Kindness? Forgiveness?

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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 Lisa Majernik, a non-profit worker who lives with her husband and puppy in central Illinois.

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.