Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick 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. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). Be holy. Today, St. Peter is pretty clear with his words from the beginning of his first letter. Be holy as Christ is holy. It's a tall order, but it's what we are all called to. If you're anything like me, at times the Christian life can become something of a confusing mess for you. I know that the Lord has called me to live according to his purpose and law, but between reading scripture, the lives of the saints, blog posts, Facebook posts, and talking to friends, it can be easy to get bogged down in all of the outward expressions of the Christian life. Today is a wonderful reminder that it doesn't have to be so complicated: be holy. The call of Jesus Christ is to be holy, just as he is holy. It's simple. The same Spirit that rested on Jesus in his life is the Spirit that rests in our own hearts; this Spirit enables us to be holy and to follow the Lord. Holiness isn't something that we have to try to manufacture on our own, it's something that the Lord works in us. I think that's an important point to emphasize: holiness isn't something that we can achieve apart from the Lord. St. Peter tells us to be holy, just as Jesus was holy, not to be holy on our own. If you sometimes get bogged down with all of the craziness: multiple rosaries, chaplets, novenas, books, blog posts, scripture reflections, and just filling your life with too many (albeit good) things that you end up losing focus on the simple Gospel of holiness, let St. Peter's words today refocus your heart and your mind. Be holy just as Jesus is holy, just as he has equipped you to be through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese 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 the things that I fill my life with that help distract me from the simple call of Jesus to be holy? Do I overcomplicate holiness? How so? How am I letting the Holy Spirit make me holy every day? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn 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. "Come, Holy Spirit." "Help me be holy as you are holy." "Let my love for you be simple." Step #5: Actio / ActIn 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? Make a list of all of the things you do in your spiritual life- look and see if you think it's too much or if it's distracting you from the simple call to holiness. Then, take time to pray for the Holy Spirit to simplify your spiritual life- be focused on letting him make you holy! Smartphone Lock ScreenThe 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 Adam Smyth, a high school youth minister at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Ellicott City, MD.
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. " Comments are closed.
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