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). When you sin, how often do you consider the magnitude of God’s anger or the great disaster you just provoked? Do you ever doubt that even a “small” sin is a “big deal”? Is it difficult to imagine an “invisible” God being upset by your actions? The more we understand the severe depth of sin and our dire need for God’s love and mercy, the more graces we will be able to receive. God has a burning desire to extend his Divine Mercy to every single one of his beloved sons and daughters, but we have to see the need for it, want it, ask for it, and be open to receiving it. We are called to actively respond to the plethora of love and mercy God so readily offers. “As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him.” True and pure love can only come when people freely and willingly choose it. Our tendencies towards sin have disposed our hearts to stray from God, but it is still our own, individual choice to choose love or not love, mercy or not mercy, God or not God. How fitting that today is the feast day of St. Faustina! In her diary, “Divine Mercy in My Soul”, she writes that Jesus told her in a few of her numerous visions/encounters with Him: “When a soul sees and realizes the gravity of its sins, when the whole abyss of the misery into which it immersed itself is displayed before its eyes, let it not despair, but with trust let it throw itself into the arms of My mercy, as a child into the arms of its beloved mother.” (Paragraph 1541) “My child, all your sins have not wounded My Heart as painfully as your present lack of trust does- that after so many efforts of My love and mercy, you should still doubt My goodness.” (Paragraph 1486) "The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.” (Paragraph 1578) We have no reason to fear if we just call out to God and trust in His beautiful, Divine Mercy. Jesus, I trust in you. 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 is the biggest obstacle in your life to truly recognizing your sin and being sorry for it? In what ways, when you pause and ask him in silence, is God working to show you his mercy today? Which quote from St. Faustina's diary above spoke to you most directly? What is God saying to you in that quote? 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. "Jesus, I trust in you." "Your mercy is great." "Thank you for your mercy." 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? Today, pray a chaplet of divine mercy as an act of thanksgiving for God's great and merciful love for us and for all sinners. Then, if you haven't been recently, get to confession! 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 Katie LoBosco, a music therapist for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Cincinnati.
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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