I Have Heard You

10/6/2018

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.

JOB 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17

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).

“I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you.” Today’s reading is the culmination of the story of Job. He is a man who wrestled with God, who questioned God boldly (and rightfully so) about all the terrible things that had occurred in his life. And precisely because he brought those questions to God, he met God, and found peace amongst the difficulty. I say that he found peace and not “answers” because there aren’t always answers to be found in regards to some of the things we go through in life, but when we bring these questions to God instead of settling for cheap answers, we see him face to face. This is the beauty of struggling through difficult times in your faith. To struggle means you are trying, you are fighting. To not struggle is to give in and give up.

We all have situations in our life that we don’t understand, trials that frustrate us and make us question God’s goodness or if we can really trust Him. At some point in these various trials and time of suffering, I must admit like Job did that these are things that “I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.” But we can only ever come to that conclusion if we decide to struggle with these questions and bring them to God, if we decide to not just take other people’s word for who God is, but go to Him ourselves to see what He has to say. “I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you.” He may not offer us a nice neat answer that we would like, but He will offer us Himself and His presence, which brings peace.

This is real prayer: to not be afraid to bring our questions to God, no matter how seemingly dark those questions and doubts may be. But then again, don’t take my word for it. Put yourself in front of Him so that your eyes can meet.

“I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you.”

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.

When you pray are you seeking answers? Or peace?

When you are struggling in your faith, where do you turn?

When have you seen the Lord?

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 had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you.”

"Lord, give me peace."

"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?

Go in front of Jesus. If can go in front of Him in adoration. If not, go pray in front of the tabernacle. Spend 10 minutes in silent prayer and ask Him all of your questions. Be real with Him.

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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 Austin Ashcraft, a graduate student in New Orleans.

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