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). Have you ever been in a situation where you said something and you were just hoping the person you said it do didn't notice that you didn't really know what you were saying and you were just hoping they'd think it sounded smart? No? Just me? I sort of think that might have been what happened with the Sadducees here. It's really a pretty crazy question for them to ask. The Sadducees, a group of Jews who didn't believe in the afterlife, ask Jesus this very convoluted question that follows a longstanding tradition in Jewish culture down a path that leads to what they're hoping is a difficult question. If we can get Jesus to admit that there is no answer for this, they may have been thinking, than maybe we can win this discussion! They didn't. Jesus isn't fooled by the road they take him on. The Sadducees are trying to trap Jesus into a discussion about divorce, life after death, and God's law; Jesus responds with an answer so powerful they didn't dare to ask him any more questions. Instead of not knowing how to respond, or what to do with their question, Jesus makes it very simple: heaven is for the living because God is a God of the living. And, as such, there's no point in trying to spend all kinds of time going down rabbit holes of this or that question for what happens after we die, because none of it matters. All that matters after we die is that we end up with God for all of eternity! Tomorrow is the last Sunday of the Liturgical year, when we celebrate Jesus Christ the Sovereign King. This weekend, as the Liturgical year comes to an end, we know that Jesus is our king now and forever and that, for all the ages to come, we have the chance to be with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in total joy and peace. What does it take to be there? Being a child of God, one who lets himself be loved by God and transformed by that love into his forever. The Living God and King of the universe longs to love you in a very particular way this day; will you let 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. How does God want to reveal his love to you today? If you're not sure, that's okay; enter into some moments of silence and ask him to tell you! In what ways has God shown you that he is your father and loves you as his child? As this Liturgical year comes to a close, how can you let this time of a new year be a time where you are renewed in living with Jesus as the King of your life? 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. "You're the God of the Living." "You're the King of Kings." "You're the Lord of Lords." 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? Offer up some sort of a fast or sacrifice today for those loved ones of yours who have passed away, that they may be with the God of Living now and forever. 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 Jason Theobald, Executive Director of Carpe Verbum.
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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