Go to Jesus

1/19/2020

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.

John 1:29-34

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).

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’”

John the Baptist is one of the most interesting people in the entire Bible. He knows he has a mission from God, and yet he doesn’t know exactly how it’s going to pan out. He lives a radical life of prayer and fasting, and suddenly people start following him around. He gains crowds of followers who want to hear his preaching, learn from his way of life, and become baptized! If that were me, I would probably start thinking to myself, “Wow, I must be a really big deal. I must be pretty important!” but not John the Baptist, he know that his mission is to point his followers to someone else: the Lamb of God!

As soon as he sees Jesus, he knows what he needs to do for his followers: Send them to Him! Those who were baptized and following his way of life; they need to go to Jesus. The pharisees who criticized him and watched him doubtfully; they need to go to Jesus. The crowds who gathered curiously but maybe hadn’t yet taken the plunge in baptism; they need to go to Jesus.

John the Baptist continues to point us to the Messiah.

When we experience success and accomplishment in this life who should we turn to? We turn to Jesus to thank Him for His friendship, grace, and blessings!

When the world seems to make no sense to us, and we experience suffering or try to understand the sufferings of others who should we turn to? Though we might be tempted to think God doesn’t love us or that maybe He doesn’t even exist, John the Baptist points us to Jesus who, through His death on the cross, helps us make sense of suffering and injustice and even redeems it.

When we sin and fall short of the glory of God, do we ignore God, hide from God, hope God doesn’t notice us and try to fix ourselves? No, we follow the directions of John the Baptist and run towards “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

No matter who you are or what you have going on in your life, listen to John: Go to Jesus.

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.

Do you remember the last time that you accomplished something you’ve been working towards for a really long time? Who was the first person you called? Why?

When was a time where you received really hard news about something, maybe a family illness or that you were turned down for a job or scholarship you really wanted? Where do you turn in those moments? Why?

Think back to a time where you did something you were ashamed and embarrassed of, or something you knew was sinful. Where do you turn in those difficult moments? Why?

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.

"You are the Lamb of God."

"Thank You Jesus."

"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?

Go to Jesus today. Literally. Go spend some time in prayer, preferably in a Chapel or Adoration. Spend some time with Jesus and bring Him everything.

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 Chris O'Hara, an evangelist in Canada.

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