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 is King. The past six months of my life have been focused on Jesus’ kingship and Lordship, and I have spent a great deal of prayer around these titles and roles that belong to Jesus. You may be like me and find it easy to say, “Jesus is Lord”, but struggle to understand what that really means and what it looks like to live as if Jesus truly is the King of your life. The readings today help to illuminate some of what it means for Jesus to truly be Lord and King, and hopefully help each of us give our lives over to Jesus in new ways. Jesus is a King who is meek and humble. Zechariah’s prophecy literally calls Jesus meek, and Jesus calls himself meek in the Gospel. But beyond that, Jesus exemplifies what it means to be a humble king by leading peacefully and in serving others. After all, “the son of man came not to be served but to serve.” (Mt 20:28) Unlike a king who expects his subjects to serve him in fealty and praise, demanding them to work to build up the kingdom for his own self-interest, Jesus invites all of us to come to him and lay our burdens down so that we might find rest. In a practical sense this means that giving our lives over to Jesus so that he would be king (and not us) leads to rest. When Jesus is reigning as King and Lord of your life he brings rest and he leads you to what you ultimately need and desire! Jesus is also a King who sows peace and mercy. I typically think of kings and lords as great military leaders who can wield the sword and control their armies—those who’s strength comes in earthly power and domination. But Jesus shows us that true kingship comes with “proclaiming peace to the nations”, and in being a king who is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.” To let Jesus reign as king in your life means to allow him to extend mercy to you in the forgiveness of your sins and to experience the peace he desires to bring into your life. Instead of domination, where your life is under a fearful and destructive rule, Jesus desires to have dominion over your life, where you entrust him to lead and guide you in wisdom and compassion. To understand Jesus as King and Lord is an easy intellectual exercise, but to allow him to reign is something entirely different. Jesus desires to be King and Lord of your life: to sow peace and extend mercy, to give you rest from your toils, and to draw you into his very life. All that he desires of you is to give him permission to reign in your life and to entrust your life to him. Let the King reign. 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. How often have you run yourself down in exhaustion as you tried to figure every aspect of life out? How frequently do you grow frustrated by your best laid plans not leading to the ultimate good? How can you let Jesus be King of your heart today? 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. "Jesus, you are my King." "Jesus, you are my Lord." "Jesus, I love you." 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? Find ways to extend peace and mercy to others today. Be humble enough to listen and not let anger overtake you. Especially in this time in our country where there is so much division, spend some time today praying that you may listen first and may always respond like our King; with peace, mercy, humility and kindness. 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 Adam Smyth, the Life Teen Coordinator at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the Woodlands, TX.
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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