Be Radical

​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 4:38-44

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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).

​"To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, bec ause for this purpose I have been sent." How does this verse apply to me today? How is it that I selfishly cling to Jesus, wanting him to remain in my own town to be with just me and my friends? Well, any time I retreat to my comfortable circles of friends and don’t go out and meet new people and build relationships and friendships with them, I selfishly cling to Jesus. Whenever I choose not to follow that still small voice of the Spirit inside that is nudging me to go say hello to that person that I don’t know, to go sit with that person who is sitting alone at lunch, to stop and smile at the homeless person and find out their name, I am clinging selfishly to Jesus. Jesus gives Himself freely and totally to me. Who am I not to do the same to others? 

If I have discovered the rich treasure of knowing Jesus and walking with Him day by day, how selfish must I be to not go and share Him with others? How dare I keep Him to myself? He came for everyone. Yes, every single human person. No exceptions.

Yes it is uncomfortable to go and reach out to a person who is different than me and start to build a friendship, but it’s what we are called to. Choosing comfort does not change the world. Keeping the status quo does not change the world. Radicals change the world, and being radical is anything but comfortable. Nobody will remember me in many years for playing it safe and choosing what is comfortable and easy, but they will remember that one time I went out of my way to reach out to them and make them feel welcome and appreciated, and perhaps that could help them to imagine what Jesus might be like, and perhaps that might lead them to starting a conversation with Him one day. How can we be a little less selfish in our clinging to Jesus today and instead bring Him to someone who needs to know Him? Because there are people out there dying to know Him, your own classmates, teammates, strangers, waiters and waitresses, cashiers, baristas, teachers, family members, but thus far we Christians have been too selfish to share Him with them.

"To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent."

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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.

Who has reached out to me in the past and shown Christ to me?

With whom is Christ calling me to share his light and love today?

​How can I be radical today?

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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.
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"For the greater glory of God."

"To be a light to the world."

​"Share the Good News."

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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?

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.
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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.

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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 Austin Ashcraft, a graduate student in New Orleans. 

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.