Called to Respond

7/11/2020

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.

Isaiah 6:1-8

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).

In high school, one of my favorite praise and worship songs was “You Are Holy” by Michael W. Smith. From my first Steubenville Conference to singing the song in a hotel room late at night before the March for Life to incorporating it into a talk during my senior year retreat, this song followed me around.

Besides the male-female vocals and the beautiful harmonies, what captivated me was how the lyrics truly fulfill the goal of praise and worship. They recognize and praise God for who he is. And by knowing who he is, we are called to change ourselves. We are called to respond.

Here’s a sample of the lyrics:

“You are holy, / You are mighty, / You are worthy, / Worthy of praise. / I will follow, / I will listen, / I will love You / All of my days. “You are Lord of lords, / You are King of kings, / You are mighty God, / Lord of everything. / … / You are alpha, omega, / Beginning and end. / You're my Savior, Messiah, / Redeemer and friend. / You are my Prince of Peace, and I will live my life for You.”

Like the angels, we are called to cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” For when we know who God is, how can we keep from declaring his goodness? We’ve all had times where we’ve been on the spiritual mountain, where God feels close, where we recognize his goodness and feel the joy of being loved by him. It can be easy at that moment to hear the call to follow God, to make him the Lord of your life, and to respond like Isaiah saying, “Here I am … send me!”

But those feelings don’t always last. And yet we are still called to praise him. We are still called to follow him. We are still called to make him the Lord of our life.

I’ve been singing this song to myself in the quiet of my car for years, and its message is one I continually need to take to heart. For here in the crazy, here in the messy, here in the depressed and anxious, God is calling me to look at him and recognize him for who he is. And even here he asks gently, “Will you follow me?” And I pray each day that I can find the words to praise him and say, “Yes, here I am. Send me. You are Lord, and I will live my life for you.”

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.

In what ways is God calling out to you right now, asking for your response?

What are the songs, Scripture verses, quotes, or other things God is using to speak to you exactly where you are in your life right now?

Are you able, right now, to tell God that you are here, waiting for him, ready to respond? If not, how can you prepare your heart for that proper response?

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.

"Here I am."

"Send me."

"You are holy."

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?

Look for one concrete way to respond to God's call in your life today. Maybe it's more time in prayer. Maybe it's a visit or call to a sick relative that lets you stay safe and distanced but show them God's love. Maybe it's reaching out to a friend you've lost touch with. Maybe it's spending some time working on a game plan to overcome a habitual pattern of sin. Whatever it is, do something concrete today to respond to God's call in your life.

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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.

Today's Prayer was prepared by Ava Lalor, an editor for a Catholic newspaper.

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.

CARPE VERBUM