Know God

​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.

2 TIMOTHY 3:10-17

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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).

My heart has been heavy this week, maybe yours is as well. Wondering what do we do now? Where do we go from here? Father, what are you calling me to do to share the message of your Son’s Life, Death, and Resurrection with the world?
 
In the letter to Timothy today, Paul concludes with a verse that really struck me. He says that “all Scripture is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” This is all “so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
 
In my life Scripture has had two main purposes. First to tell me about how God loves me and God is so I can love Him in return. Second to learn what He’s calling me to do to build up His Kingdom here on earth so we can all be together in Heaven for eternity.
 
Conversion begins in our hearts. We come to know God and His love for us as individuals. Then we’re called to share that love with our families, friends, neighbors, the larger community, and the world. Our conversion begins with an encounter with the Lord. We can encounter Him in the Scriptures, they are His Word for us. As we dive into the Scripture we are formed in the faith, formed in the Lord’s message for us, corrected when we are wrong, and inspired to continue the good work of the Apostles and Saints before us.
 
If we don’t know God, we won’t know peace or justice or love. To spread peace, justice, and love into our world, let’s dive into who God is to know Him better and share His love with the world.

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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.

Do you know God? Really know Him by reading His word?

When did you fist encounter God in your life? Have you ever shared your story with someone else?

​What's holding you back from sharing y our story now? Who will you share with next?

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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 want to know You."

"I want to love You."

​"I want to serve You."

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​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?

​​In this difficult time, we will use our Action step each day to join with people around the world in praying for an end to the pandemic of the Coronavirus, for the healing of all those affected, and for the comfort of all those who have lost a loved one. The prayer below is from Archbishop José H. Gomez, President of the USCCB in his reflection and prayer: 

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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Smartphone Lock Screen

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.

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Today's prayer was prepared by ​Katie Herzing, a former youth minister turned parish evangelization consultant living in North Carolina. 

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.