Growing and Pruning

5/2/2018

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.

John 15:1-8

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).

At this particular point in my life, I can confidently say that I have felt the Lord calling me to grow in new ways. The Lord continually calls us to go deeper as disciples, and lately, He has particularly been pushing me to grow in humility and trust of Him. Now objectively speaking, of course growing in humility and trust are good things, but let me tell you, the process of growing in those things certainly isn’t easy.

As disciples, the process of growth is only possible if we allow the Lord to cut away any parts of our life that are not bearing fruit or leading us closer to Him. This process isn’t easy, and sometimes it requires reaching into the depths of our heart and the root of the problem. There might even be parts of our life that we don’t quite realize are dead because they have become so rooted in sin and selfishness. And yet as we see on the cross, from dying to sin comes new life.

Sometimes in life, we are going to mess up, and that’s okay. For that reason, the Lord continues to prune us and push us to grow in new ways. He takes away all those parts of our life that aren’t bearing fruit in order to make room for new parts to bear fruit more beautiful than anything we ever could have hoped for. In humility, we can still be confident in our identity as sons and daughters of the Father. That is what it means to remain in Him. Because without Him, we can accomplish nothing.

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 is the Lord pruning your heart and calling you to grow in this season of life?

What sins or parts of your life do you need to work on cutting out of your life?

How will you remain close to the Lord this month?

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.

"I am the vine."

"You are the branches."

"Remain in me."

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?

Ask the Lord to reveal to you where in life He is calling you to grow and bear new fruit. Then take steps to prune those areas of your life that are preventing you from that growth.

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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 Maggie Overbeck, Assistant Director of Youth Ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Huntley, 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.

CARPE VERBUM