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). The Lord is my light and my salvation. Sometimes we don’t realize the darkness we are in until we get a glimpse of the light. Not too long ago I had a conversation with an old friend and I told her about how I was burnt out with school and some friendships. I was even burnt out in trying to be holy. I mentioned how I wanted to be a saint and I was doing everything I could think of to live the faith my heart knew I desired. She simply said, “Being Holy is about being a friend of the Lord.” I was flooded with peace. I was able to see a glimpse of the Light. Even in trying to live a good and holy life we can be weighed down and darkness can push the light out of our lives. We can let the days get away from us, where we slowly lose our perspective and then boom we turn around and realize that we’ve been getting lost for some time. The Lord is our light and our salvation, to whom should we be afraid? Jesus Christ doesn’t leave us in the dark, forcing us to wallow in our sinfulness. War could be waged upon you, and Christ continues to offer you His life, His light. What does that look like though in real life? We doubt. We assume we are stuck in sin. We judge ourselves harshly and despair thinking of an endless cycle of sinfulness. It can happen quickly or gradually that we can allow the light to shrink in the distance. And yet the Lord remains. Loosen your grip of control. It’s radical to go against our desire to control, but it’s even more radical that Christ’s love can, in one act, defeat the darkness in you, fill you with hope, and raise your heart to the heights. Christ stretches out His hand through different means, and maybe just maybe it will be through the gentle care of a friend. But we have to dare to hope, and open our eyes to see the light. I know that when I’m struggling I can become short and resent others joy around me. I can even cling to the darkness because at least it seems then that I have the semblance of control. Our ways are not God’s ways though. He loves us in a way that we couldn’t even hope to love ourselves on our own. He forgives our sins entirely, when we struggle even to give our pain over to Him who heals all wounds. He makes life worth living. He makes eternal life a reality. For you. And today He’s offering you a share in it. Open your eyes wide and let the heat of His light of love warm you. Do not despair. God is with us. 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. Our ways are not God's ways. In what ways do you try and make your ways work or make them part of God's plan for you? The Lord is our light and our salvation, to whom should we be afraid? What do you fear? What do you try and control instead of giving it to the Lord? When you feel anxious or stressed how can you turn to God? Step #4: Contemplation / 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. "The Lord is our light and our salvation." "To whom should we be afraid?" "Jesus, I trust in 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 Lord bear fruit in you today? What negatively affects you during the day? Is it your mood? Tests? Homework? Comments from a friend. Today, whenever you are feeling down pray, "The Lord is our light and our salvation." 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 Robert Blood, seminarian of the Diocese of Rockford.
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