His Name is Jesus

9/8/2018

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.

Micah 5:1-4a

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).

His name is Jesus!

In the Old Testament times, the chosen people of God were living in a covenant relationship with the Father. This was a relationship where he would give the law, and in turn they were simply to follow what was given, to live out the commandments of the law. This, of course, didn't always go very well for the Hebrew people. Pretty often, they broke the law, they chose their own way, worshipped themselves or some false gods, and found themselves estranged from God. For his part, though, God always responded with faithfulness.

In the midst of that back and forth of God creating and sustaining his chosen people despite their sin, we find prophecies like this one from Micah that give the answer to all the questions the people are asking. A person is coming, we hear today in the first reading, who will redeem God's people.

Even from the Old Testament, there was the hope of a savior. Today, we don't live in hope of a savior; we have the chance to live in relationship with Him! We aren't waiting for God to come and save us - he has already done that. The question now is on us. We aren't waiting for anything; we have all we need. Are we going to respond?

The answer to all the questions we ask today, just as it was 2,000 years ago, is Jesus. When the Jewish people of Biblical times heard today's gospel they would have been floored, for it showed definitively that this Jesus was the one being waited for and who had been prophesied. For us, the big deal now is asking the question that gets us to the savior, the one who became like us in all things but sin, died on a cross and rose from the dead for our salvation, the one who fits in the genealogy of today's gospel. We are now members of God's chosen people through Jesus; do we take up that salvation we've been offered and live the new life in Him?

His name is Jesus, and he is our savior.

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.

Where is Jesus moving in your heart and life right now? What are some new things he is doing?

What are the questions you are asking right? What are you hoping for, waiting on? Have you given those things to the Lord? Do that in prayer now.

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.

"Jesus is my savior."

"You are my Lord."

"Jesus I trust in you."

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?

During the month of September, we ask that each day, for the Action step of our lectio divina, everyone prays a Divine Mercy Chaplet together for the healing of all victims of clerical abuse of any kind as well as for the healing and guidance of our Church.

For more information on why we are doing this action step and a simple lock screen or how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, click here.

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 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.

CARPE VERBUM