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). I would think that to recognize someone/something, you would need to know what you’re looking for. It’s interesting that the scribes were SO well versed with the Old Testament yet they completely missed the connection of John the Baptist to Elijah and Jesus as the Son of Man… It sounds like the scribes know God but don’t really KNOW God. In the Spanish language, there are two ways to say you “know”. One is a way to express factual information, “saber”, while the other is a way to say how well acquainted you are with someone/something, “conocer”. I would say that the scribes were good with the former and not so good with the latter. They could recite all sorts of scripture, but they didn’t seem to have internalized it into their hearts. So let me ask you, how well acquainted are you with Jesus? Knowing about Jesus through scriptures and tradition and such is very important, but what good is that knowledge if it is not internalized into our hearts? Think of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). They knew all about what had just happened with Jesus being crucified and then missing from the tomb, but Jesus called them out on being slow to internalize that what was prophesied about the Messiah in the scriptures had just been fulfilled. Even so, the disciples did not recognize Jesus until they invited him in and he broke bread with them. Jesus isn’t walking around with a nametag on. There’s no big, flashing arrow pointing him out in a crowd. Yet, how often have you been told to “See Christ in others”? How do you know how to do that? Do you know, in your heart, who you’re looking for? Just as God’s love is unconditional, so is the presence of the Spirit in every situation, every person. Though don’t expect it to look the same every time. Wouldn’t you say there’s more than one quality about God? You are in the presence of God right now. Do you recognize Him? 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 know Jesus? Do you "saber" know Him or "conocer" know Him? Do you recognize Jesus? Do you know Jesus is Lord? How? 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 want to know You." "Help me see you Lord." "Be with me 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? What do you know about Jesus? Make a list of what you know. Then reflect on your day, where did you see Christ today? 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 Katie LoBosco, a student at the University of Dayton studying Music Therapy.
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