Humility and Bubbles

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. 

Luke 18:9-14

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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).

During my time at Florida State, I was apart of many groups but spent most of my time with the Catholic Student Union. A group of brothers from the Brotherhood of Hope advised and mentored us. To this day, I still remember the best piece of advice a brother told me: don’t spend too much time in my “bubble.” 

Everyday they challenged us to step away the confines of our Catholic friends, venture on campus, and immerse ourselves in the college culture, where the overwhelming majority of students weren’t devout in their faith. While being out of my comfort zone was jarring, I can see where those experiences helped my formation as an adult throughout my career and social life. 

Before I moved up North, I was born, raised, and worked in the South, where religion is a way of life. It’s great because most people appear to be on fire for Christ! However, it’s easy to fall into trap of becoming like the Pharisee in Luke’s Gospel. It becomes easy to dismiss the people who aren’t driven by their faith as much as you are. Even when we think we’re without sin, we can go down the path of pride and judgement. That’s when God challenges us to humble ourselves and step beyond our “bubble.”

Yea, being out of the comfort zone feels weird at first, but in the long run it’s rewarding. 

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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.

In what ways do you need to be more humble before the Lord?

Do you ever find yourself prideful or judgmental? How can you begin to get those sins out of your life?

How can you live outside of your bubble more today?

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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.

"From all my pride, deliver me Jesus."

"Have mercy on me, Jesus."

"Come Holy Spirit."

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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?

Fast from pride today by praying the Litany of Humility. Really pray this prayer and strongly consider adding it to your daily prayer, especially for the rest of Lent.

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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.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Brandon Hudson, a news reporter in Philadelphia, PA.  

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.