CARPE VERBUM
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Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).
I really do love this passage, the way Jesus talks about his gift of the Eucharist and how that will bring us to eternal life. It’s a beautiful reminder of that precious gift of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. As I read it today though, I think I was more sad than anything else. I just realized how much I miss the Eucharist. I miss sitting with Jesus in adoration, I miss going to Mass, I miss that time of intimate prayer when I receive Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. I almost got frustrated because here Jesus is saying that unless we eat His Flesh and drink His Blood we will not have eternal life. Welp. Thanks Lord. Because now we don’t have that anymore, the very thing YOU said we needed to be with You. How does that make sense? What are we supposed to do now?
After public masses were cancelled I realized very quickly that I totally took mass for granted. I took the Eucharist for granted. I knew I could go whenever I wanted and Jesus would be there… which is absolutely beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but I wasn’t near grateful enough for that gift. And as I was processing that initial sadness of not being able to go to Mass for the near future, I remember talking to a friend who told me, “Jesus doesn’t owe you anything.” Now it was said in a very kind and gentle way, and they were right, but that still kinda stung to hear. I realized I felt entitled to the Mass, to adoration, to having these things readily available to me. The thing about the Eucharist that makes it even more beautiful than it already is, is that, Jesus freely gives Himself to us, not because He has to but because He wants to. Jesus does not have to come to us in the Eucharist, we do not deserve that, but He gives us that gift out of perfect, limitless, and reckless love for us. If you were also saddened by the cancelling of public Masses, you’re not alone. It’s okay to be sad about that. Though we are not entitled to Mass, it is a gift that, at the moment, we are not able to receive, and that’s a difficult thing. One of the beautiful lessons I’ve learned during this Pandemic is that Jesus Christ is not bound to the sacraments. Jesus Christ is not bound to the four walls of the church building. Jesus Christ is fully present to me right here, right now, which means, Jesus Christ is fully present to you right here, right now. We should never ever think that Jesus would ever leave us, not even for a second. Friends, our God is far too good for that! The day we get to return to Mass will be a glorious one! I can’t wait to receive Jesus in the Eucharist again! But, until then, Jesus is still here and He loves you and He wants to spend this time with you. Acknowledge the presence of the Lord in your day to day life and dedicate some of your newfound free time to 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.
Have you been sad and frustrated by the cancellation of public Masses?
Has it been hard to find the Lord in the midst of the chaos of your house, without the option of going to Church? What are you doing to connect with the Lord when you are separated from Him in the Eucharist? 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 are here."
"I am right beside you." "Help me see you Lord." 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?
In this difficult time, we will use our Action step each day to join with people around the world in praying for an end to the pandemic of the Coronavirus, for the healing of all those affected, and for the comfort of all those who have lost a loved one. The prayer below is from Archbishop José H. Gomez, President of the USCCB in his reflection and prayer during coronavirus:
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas. We fly to you today as your beloved children. We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana. Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our nation and world, and for all our families and loved ones, the protection of your holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness. For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance. Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust. In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts. We come to you with confidence, knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother, health of the sick and cause of our joy. Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the embrace of your arms, help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen. 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 Anna Roche, the High School Youth Minister at St. Thomas the Apostle in Crystal Lake, 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. Comments are closed.
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