Everyday Faith

4/7/2018

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 16:9-15

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).

One of my favorite Saints is Saint Ignatius Loyola. He got in lots of trouble during his life because some of his revolutionary ideas. During his lifetime, plenty of folks believed that holiness was found in the monastery, not on the streets. They believed that faith was for the convent, not for the family. Saint Ignatius’ revolutionary idea (at that time) was what if we formed an order of priests who could preach and provide retreats for the every day person. What if we showed the common working person that faith is for everybody – that, actually, following Jesus and believing in Him is quite practical, rather down to earth, in a word – doable.

I love these post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. If I were to imagine, if I were to “make-up” what Jesus would do or say immediately after the resurrection, I’d imagine He’d be explaining events, teaching, lecturing, asking the Apostles if they “get it.” I’d imagine Jesus would give quite the theological treatise after the mighty events of His passion, death, and glorious resurrection. And yet, He doesn’t go there. Jesus stays practical, He stays accessible, He “gets to work” so to speak. It’s a reminder to all of us of how practical, how every day our Faith really is. When we acknowledge Our Lord’s presence, when we say, “Jesus, I know you are here.” “Lord, I believe you are with me.” “Jesus, I invite you to be with me throughout this day.” He walks with us every step of the way.

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 can you make your faith more of an everyday faith?

Do you invite Jesus into every moment of your day? How can you do this better?

Is your faith practical or all theoretical? How can you find the balance in your life?

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, I know you are here.”

“Lord, I believe you are with me.”

"Come Holy Spirit."

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?

Let your faith inspire your actions. Continue to grow intellectually and internally, but ask how you can respond to that growth in action today. Simply and practically.

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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. Jon Bakkelund, priest of the Diocese of Rockford.

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.

CARPE VERBUM