CARPE VERBUM
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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). Today in our Gospel Jesus heals a man full of leprosy. The ill man “saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out, touched the man and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” JESUS DECIDED TO HEAL HIM! After the healing of the leprous man, people flocked to Jesus in order to listen to him and “to be cured of their ailments,” but Jesus withdrew to quiet places to pray. AT THIS TIME JESUS DECIDED NOT TO HEAL THESE PEOPLE OF THEIR AILMENTS. In this story do we have a kind/healing Jesus and a few moments later a Jesus who doesn’t seem to care? Of course not! Jesus always and everywhere has a heart for His people and desires what’s best for us. There is a good spiritual point for us to reflect on in this... Often times Jesus wills for us or family or friends or our neighbors to be physically healed...but at other times there is some other spiritual benefit in store where God wills not to heal someone of a physical ailment. Many benefits can come from the Lord permitting some sort of suffering. Often times it leaves an opportunity for other people to practice charity towards those who are ill; maybe it is a deep inner conversion that the Lord seeks through permitting a person’s physical suffering; or it can also help deepen one’s life of prayer and the value of always trusting in God. Do you ever question - why the pain? Why the suffering? Why the physical evils that take place in our lives? Next time we get angry or question God because of something that has taken place in our lives, keep this one insight of the Gospel story...God often wills to heal people of physical ailments, but at other times His Divine Will permits the suffering, challenge, or physical ailment to bring about valuable spiritual benefits. Trust in Jesus’ plan! 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. Do you ever question - why the pain? Why the suffering? Why the physical evils that take place in our lives? Do you wonder what the point of waiting for something to happen is? Do you ever get angry or upset with the Lord and His plan? 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. "I trust you Lord." "I am willing to wait for your plan." "I love you Lord." 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? Take a few minutes today to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet asking the Lord for some patience and mercy in the midst of the waiting. 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. John McNamara, priest of the Diocese of Rockford.
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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