Chosen

​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.

EPHESIANS 1:11-14

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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).

St. Paul writes today that "we were also chosen." I don't know about you, but lately, I haven't felt chosen. I've felt overlooked, passed-by, ignored, and invisible. A lot. Life seems to be going by at lightning speed for everyone else but me. 

Now if you're my IRL friend you're probably shaking your head saying, "Katie, seriously? There's so much happening right now with your new house, moving, and lots of work opportunities." 

That's a fact, it's true. The other thing that's true is that I feel overlooked, passed-by, ignored, and invisible. The other day I had a moment to go to confession and I prefaced it to Father by saying, "Can I have a few minutes? I really need to go to Confession, I've been avoiding." After I confessed, he asked me "why were you avoiding?" I was just putting it off, getting out of my regular habit. 

It wasn't until I walked into the Church to say my penance that I realized why I was avoiding the Lord in the Sacrament. I was feeling ignored by Him. I didn't feel chosen as His daughter, beloved as His spouse, or seen as a person who has a long-term prayer request that is never answered.

This summer I had a glimpse of what a "Yes" to that prayer request might look like, but it didn't work out. It wasn't a yes. It was another 'wait, not yet, maybe not ever' - a response I'm pretty used to getting. So I decided to give the Lord the cold shoulder and a bit of the silent treatment. 

How's that working you ask? Not well, as one would expect. 

It's readings like today where I remember who I am and whose I am. I belong to the Lord. He's chosen me even when He doesn't say yes to my prayers. Even when I don't feel chosen by the world. Even, and maybe especially, when I'm feeling overlooked, passed-by, ignored, and invisible. 

The Lord has chosen us to be his beloved. He's chosen us to be His children. He's chosen us to be with Him forever. He's just asking us to choose Him too.

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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 do you do when you feel overlooked, passed-by, ignored, and invisible?

How can you actively choose the Lord in your daily life?

Are there any situations recently when you've given the Lord the silent treatment or the cold shoulder?

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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.

"I am chosen by God."

"I choose you Lord."

​"I am loved."

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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?

Carve out some time today to spend it with the Lord. He's choosing you every moment, take some time to choose Him specifically today.

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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 ​Katie Herzing, a former youth minister turned parish evangelization consultant living in North Carolina. 

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.