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). St. Paul certainly didn't have it easy. He was jailed, had people plotting against him, and was eventually killed, all for the sake of the Gospel. Even though he knew he would face hardships in following Christ, he kept pushing forward. The fact that Paul tells Timothy that we were not made to be cowards in sharing our faith sends a clear message: do not be afraid to share your faith. Sometimes, It can be so hard to share your faith with those around you because you're afraid that they will judge you or that you aren't good enough to speak about God. But the message St. Paul has for Timothy is the same message given to us: your faith isn't anything to be ashamed of. As Christians, we are unashamed of our faith. God has done amazing things in our lives and has literally saved us from certain death. There is nothing to be ashamed of when telling people what God has done. We especially should not be ashamed of sharing what God has done in our own lives. For a long time after I began to take my faith seriously, I wouldn't talk to anybody about it. If someone asked me why I went to church, I would give the answer that I went because my parents made me go. I was afraid to share my faith life because faith seemed so unpopular among my friends. However, as I slowly start to find people who did share the same faith as me and were able to show me how beautiful their stories of God were, I realized that giving our Christian witness to the world is more than just opening up our hearts for the world to see. When we give an unashamed testimony of God in our lives, we open up the door for the world to see God in us. It simply starts with taking the first step to unashamedly share God with others. Do not be afraid, for He is with you. Be unashamed of the Gospel. 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. Do I find it difficult to share my faith? Why or why not? What work is God doing in my life right now? Who I feel called to share my witness with? 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. "Do not be afraid." "Be courageous." "Stir into flame." 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? In this difficult time, we will use our Action step each day to join with people around the world in praying for an end to the pandemic of the Coronavirus, for the healing of all those affected, and for the comfort of all those who have lost a loved one. The prayer below is from Archbishop José H. Gomez, President of the USCCB in his reflection and prayer: Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas. We fly to you today as your beloved children. We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana. Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our nation and world, and for all our families and loved ones, the protection of your holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness. For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance. Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust. In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts. We come to you with confidence, knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother, health of the sick and cause of our joy. Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the embrace of your arms, help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen. 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 Brendan Slovacek, a student 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. Comments are closed.
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