Don't Tell

​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.

Mark 7: 31-37

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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).

​When I was in grad school, I got diagnosed with an aggressive and fast growing tumor. The three weeks that followed were some of the scariest in my life and my family’s life. I received anointing of the sick. I had friends from all over taking care of me and praying for me. After surgery, the good news game: the tumor was not cancerous! And I wanted to tell everyone I could about the good news and my miracle. And I did, I even made a waitress in a restaurant cry happy tears. 

Again in today’s Gospel we encounter Jesus healing another person who believed so strongly that they fought to see Him, to touch Him and be close to Him. Jesus answers him and heals them. What an amazing gift! He could not hear and not talk, and now he can! He wants to sing Jesus’s praises from everywhere and to everyone! 

But before the man leaves Jesus “ordered them not to tell anyone.” In fact, we encounter this time and time again in Mark’s gospel. Jesus heals and then plainly says don’t tell. (Spoiler alert: they usually do anyway, because when you experience healing you want everyone to know.) He tells them in a way that makes sure they know He doesn’t want it known. But why would Jesus tell them not to tell? 

Jesus is telling them not to tell because while Jesus has cured them, He hasn’t saved them yet. They think He is the Messiah by His good deeds, but He knows it is His crucifixion and death that will truly save the world. By asking them not to tell, He is trying to make sure that He will be seen as the Messiah when He dies the death of a common criminal. Jesus is the Messiah, but He is not what they expected the Messiah to look like. 

Now we know that Jesus is the Messiah. We know by His death and His resurrection. We know He has saved us, that He has healed us. But how often do we tell? Now is the time, Jesus isn’t telling us not to tell, He is telling us to tell the whole world.  

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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 areas for your life need healing? Have you asked Christ to heal you? 

How has Christ healed you before? Do you tell this to others?

Jesus has saved you; He died for you. How often do you tell this to others?

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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.

"Jesus died for me."

"Jesus heals me."

​"I need to tell the world."

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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?

Today, tell someone how Jesus has impacted your life. It could be by healing you, it could be by dying for you, but go and tell what Jesus has done for you. 

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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 Lisa Kendzior, Junior High Youth Minister at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, IL. 

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.