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). One of my all-time favorite saints is the wonderful Pope St. John Paul II. A phrase often attributed to him, because he said it so frequently, is: "Do not be afraid." Four simple words, but a phrase filled with such rich meaning. I will be the first to admit it, there are so many things in this life that I would consider myself to be afraid of. To name a few, snakes and spiders, rejection, escalators, darkness... I could go on forever. It is so easy for us to be afraid of the things of this world. We are human, and let's be real, things are frightening! But as we see in today's readings, our Lord reminds us that we have NOTHING to fear. We were made for so much more than this world, and the things of this world can never truly satisfy us. Why then should we let ourselves give into fear and despair? We were made for ETERNAL happiness. The human fear we experience daily pales in comparison to what the Lord has in store for us. Guess what, guys? Jesus Christ conquered sin and death through His victory on the cross. He showed us that we have no need to fear, because He offers us something greater than our fears: eternal joy. And He continually offers Himself to us every single day, reminding us that if we place our hope and trust in Him, we have nothing to be afraid of. Jesus is the ultimate superhero, when you think about it. Superheroes fight evil so that the people have nothing to fear. Jesus continually fights evil so that WE have nothing to fear. The things we fear the most cannot defeat us, because Jesus already defeated the darkness through His self-offering on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. HE is our light and our salvation. HE is our refuge in times of despair and darkness because He showed us that He can overcome it. Trust in His mercy. Trust in His goodness. Even though it may feel as if you are sinking, trust that He is on the other side of that water reaching down to pull you out of the raging seas. Dwell with Him, and let Him dwell in you today. Having faith means that we continually choose to abandon our fears and step out onto the water, like St. Peter did when he saw Jesus walking on the water. The men in today's Gospel reading were blind, yet they saw Jesus not with their physical eyes, but through their faith. They stepped out courageously and with confidence, placed their trust in a person they couldn't see, and let Him love them and heal them. Are you willing to let go of your fears so that you can let Jesus, the ultimate superhero, work in you and with you? He desires to draw you closer and closer to His most sacred heart every single day. Let Him be your light, your stronghold, your refuge, your salvation. Do not be afraid. 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 are you afraid of? What is holding you back from living an abundant life? Are you willing to let go of your fears so that Jesus can work in you and with you? 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." "The Lord is my light and my salvation." "The Lord is my refuge." 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 Lord bear fruit in you today? Let go of your fears, and trust in the Lord. 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 Sarah Freddino, a FOCUS Missionary at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.
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