CARPE VERBUM
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Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).
Lord, every nation on Earth will adore you. I have been so blessed to see the universal Church on multiple occasions. The first was during World Youth Day in 2005. As our group went to the different catechesis sessions, we met people from Portugal, France, Texas, Canada, Tanzania and more places that I had never heard of before. Yet, on a cold night we were all united in prayer before the Eucharist; every nation on Earth was there to adore Him. It was that night that I realized I needed to really find Jesus if I were to have complete joy. But more recently, I experienced the universal Church at the birthplace of Jesus, in Bethlehem. This small Church, while in the midst of restoration construction, was packed with people from all over, all walks of life, all different backgrounds, who were there to say thank you to the Lord for becoming man. You could hear the different languages being spoken, different prayers being said, but everyone was there to adore the Lord. During this Christmas season, those memories of the universal Church are especially present. Yet, everyday I have the chance to experience the universal Church, I just often forget to see it. Whenever we go to Mass, we are united not just with those around the world in prayer, but also with all those in heaven (more than universal!). If we pray the Angelus we are united in prayer around the world. We can experience the universal Church in our own backyard. While it is beautiful to experience the universal Church, you don't need to go around the world to adore Him. We need to start in our own Churches, our own homes. To experience the universal Church meet the people of different backgrounds in your own parish. Invite someone new to attend with you. Go to a Mass near you in a different language and experience how Mass is still Mass. And most importantly, adore the Lord so that He will be adored at every nation. Our Lord is adored by all nations. Together, let us bring Him to our streets, homes and hearts. 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.
How have I experienced the universal Church before? How did it effect my relationship with the Lord? In what ways am I helping engage in the universal Church in my daily life? How do I find ways to adore God in simple, random ways? How can I continue to grow in this practice? 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.
"We adore you, Lord." "Make us all one." "Draw us all to yourself." 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?
Pray specifically for the universal Church today. Pray for all people who know Christ, who don't know Christ, those who are Catholic, and and even those who are not. The Lord is not separated by our political boundaries, and neither are our prayers! 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 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." Comments are closed.
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