CARPE VERBUM
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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). Ever heard that the diaper changing table is like the altar for us parents? Being a father of young children, things can get pretty crazy at home. My personal prayer time can get interrupted by children fighting and climbing all over me. Paying attention during Mass was hard enough when I just had to deal with my own internal distractions, let alone several children coming up with new ones. Recently my son insisted on announcing the time to me every five seconds as he stared at my watch during the homily. And then there's our family prayer time, during which I have to crack down on violations of personal space, varieties of bodily noises, passive aggressive prayer requests, and accidental physical injuries due to attempted acrobatics. Seriously. Being a Catholic family just doesn't look like what I thought it was going to look like. But I think it's supposed to be that way. One time I heard a priest say that the diaper changing table is like our altar. We're all called to sacrifice and consecrate the world to God through Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. We can do this because Jesus is Priest, Prophet and King. And He invites us to share in each of those "offices." We share in His "priestly office" through sacrifice, just like the priest at Mass. Basically, all that we do in the state of life we are called to, can become sacrifices that we offer to the Father. That's what struck me about today's Gospel. Jesus inserted himself into the day-to-day lives of these future Apostles. He met them right there on the shore, but then He called them deeper. And He called them in a way that was so compatible with their state in life: fishing. They were used to catching fish, but Jesus calls them to follow Him and learn how to catch people in the net of the gospel message. This is how Jesus works in our lives. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He created each of us in this specific time and place because this is exactly where He can best fulfill us and enable us to accomplish His will. He doesn't necessarily want you to just give up everything you enjoy doing (although sometimes He will call us to make sacrifices). He doesn't want you to give up being a student. He wants you to study hard and do your homework out of love for Him. He doesn't want you to give up being a friend. He wants you to be a good friend to the people in your school and in your neighborhood out of love for Him. He doesn't necessarily want you to give up your sport, the play, the club you're a part of, watching movies, using your iPhone, playing games, or any of those good things that you enjoy. You don't need to give those things up to be holy, unless God is directly calling you to make that sacrifice. He wants you to do every one of those things out of love for Him. 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 is your current state in life? And how is Jesus calling you deeper in that state of life? What are your priorities in life? Do you celebrate and enjoy the good things God has put in your life? Do you remember to love the giver more than the gifts? What are the diaper changing table altars in your life? What are the sacrifices you can offer up to God that you never realized you could? 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. "I give it all to you, Lord." "Make me a fisher of men." "I will follow you, Jesus." 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? Find a new way to offer up your sacrifices to the Lord today. Instead of complaining or avoiding things, practice giving them to God. Be true to your state of life, and give those moments to God. 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 Dan Wolff, High School Youth Minister at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, IL.
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