Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick 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. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). "Jesus, fix this!" How often has this been our prayer? Perhaps we use different words, but we are often confronted with injustice in this world, and we turn to Christ to fix it. The same thing happens in today's gospel. Someone in the crowd goes to Jesus with a very legitimate complaint. His brother is not sharing the inheritance with him. As a priest I cannot tell you how many times this is still a problem today. Many people have come to me heartbroken at how their family has reacted to the death of a loved one, and how the splitting of housing, property, money, and heirlooms has torn their relationships with family apart. Shouldn't Christ, who is certainly fair and just, rectify this problem? Yet Jesus seems to rebuke the man in the crowd. "Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Our response might be, "Uh, Jesus, didn't you say you are going to judge the whole world? Can't you take care of this little, but very real problem too?" Jesus goes on to say, "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions." Christ points us back to our own hearts. Yes, we may have legitimate problems, but Jesus doesn't want that to get in the way of our eternal salvation. What are our priorities? Have we forgotten that everything in this world passes away and that only Christ remains? If we want to remain, we have to have our hearts radically transformed by him. The crosses in our lives often reveal our own attachments. This doesn't make our situation any less just, but it directs us back to what is eternal. We should always bring our cares to Jesus, who always cares for us. But we should not be surprised that his love is so deep for us that he will not hesitate to point us back to ourselves, so that we may be purified in this life and become rich in what matters to God. 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. What are your priorities? do they reflect your relationship with Christ? What is on your heart to take to Jesus? How will He take this and lead you to salvation? What in your heart does Jesus need to transform? 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. "Fit it Jesus." "Lead me to you." "Heal my heart." 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? What are your priorities? How do they reflect your relationship with Christ? Today, keep track of your time. How much do you spend in prayer? How much at work? How much with loved ones? How much on Netflix? How much on Snapchat? Chart it and see where you make God a priority. 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 Fr. Anthony Sciarappa who was ordained in 2016 and is a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
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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