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 have this friend from school that is always praising God. Her heart is always glad and filled with God’s love. It is not because her life is easy, but because in all that she does, she recognizes that God always does wondrous deeds. We had a bunch of classes together and the projects we were assigned were never easy. My friend here was a bit of procrastinator, but she never let the stress of school keep her from rejoicing in God. She would pull all-nighters writing a twenty page paper or writing a curriculum on God’s mercy and, the next day, after little to no sleep, I’d still see her going to daily Mass to give thanks to God for all that He does for us. Whenever you talk to her, she’s sure to say “thanks be to God,” or “it’s all because of God’s mercy.” What is so admirable about my friend here is not her ability to get an 'A' on a paper she wrote in a day, but her ability to trust in God and give Him unceasing praise. She trusts in Him and lets His love be her strength; she relies only on Him. Even with all our school work and deadlines, she still goes out on mission, leads retreats, and participates in other ministries. My friend always makes time for God, she puts Him first; because of her great faith, she is constantly a witness to God through her words and actions with a heart filled with His joy. We all can do this too. Your life might not be filled with the stresses of college life, but we all have things that take joy out of our day. The way to bring joy back is to look to God and ask for His help and let Him be our strength. Let your hearts be glad in Him and His wondrous deeds. It is because of God that we live and breathe, that the sun rises and sets, that we are able to love and be loved. Jesus Christ came into our sinful world and reunited us with the Father through His death and resurrection. Let us be glad in the one who saves our souls! Let us open our hearts to be moved by the Holy Spirit to rejoice in the love of God in all that we do, even the things that cause us stress and worry. Let us give our hearts to the Lord and be glad! 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 brings you joy? Is the Lord and His love for you one of those things? If not, what is stopping you from finding joy in that? How can you make praise of God more a part of your life? Do you praise Him and tell people about how good He is? When you are stressed or worried, how can you turn more fully to the Lord? When is the last time you sat and told Him about things that are stressing you? If it's been a while, do that now. 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. "You are my joy." "I choose to praise You." "I give You everything." 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? Praise the Lord today. Whether you are telling someone about how good He is, spending time in prayer just thanking Him, or taking note of His creation, give praise and glory to God in a special way. 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.  Mary Griffin is originally from Massachusetts and currently a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
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