Dying With Him

3/25/2018

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 14:1-15:47

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).

Today is Palm Sunday! It's of course the celebration in which Jesus rode on a donkey into the city as people fanned him with Palms saying, 'Hosanna in the highest!' The people were praising Jesus as king.

In fact, this is how we begin Mass. We begin by reading the Gospel of His entrance into Jerusalem and then the procession of Mass begins as we enter the Heavenly City as well. Yet, later in the Mass, we will hear the entire Passion of Jesus, from His betrayal to His arrest to His crucifixion and death.

So why such a joyous event mixed in with the tragedy of the cross? Isn't Good Friday at the end of the week? Why the joy with the sorrow?

Well, we must recognize that today the same people who Praise Jesus as King will then later demand His death, shouting, 'Crucify him!' This is our story too. In one moment we are praising God for who He is and the next we are choosing sin and crucifying Jesus to the cross because it is truly our sins that kill Jesus. We cannot shy away from that fact. We cannot run from the truth that in those moments, the moments of our sin, we reject God.

Now we know that there is good news ahead, for sin and death is not the end! Yet we are not called to fully rejoice in the resurrection until Easter. Now we walk with Christ. Now we recognize our sin. Now we have the choice to walk with Jesus in this Most Holy Week.

So will you pick up the cross and journey with Him? Will you deeply enter into the mystery of His death so that when Christ does rise you can joyfully Praise Him for your salvation?

The challenge for you is to not let this week pass you by. Bump up your prayer life this week. Pray at least 30 minutes a day. If possible, attend Mass each day. And, especially important is to attend the Holy Week services. For Jesus Christ does not want to die alone so the question is... Will you die with him? Because the joy of the Christian is that we know that He's not going to stay in that tomb!

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.

How is Jesus calling you specifically this week to enter into His passion and death? How can you truly make the most of this Holy Week?

What are the sins or struggles happening in your life right now of which you need to repent? Have you been to confession this Lent? Do you need to again this Holy Week?

What will your prayer look like this week? What can you add to really make this week Holy?

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.

"Your death is enough."

"Help me enter into Your Passion."

"I choose to die with You."

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?

The challenge for you is to not let this week pass you by. Bump up your prayer life this week. Pray at least 30 minutes a day. If possible, attend Mass each day. And, especially important is to attend the Holy Week services. Look at your calendar right now and make room for these things!

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.

Today's prayer was prepared by Fr. Kyle Manno, priest of the Diocese of Rockford.

Notice the new header above? Today begins our four week campaign to bring about a new springtime. Head to carpeverbum.org/new-springtime (click the button below) to learn more!

Campaign for a New Springtime

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