Like a Gusting Wind

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. 

John 20:19-23

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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).

Could you imagine what it was like to be sitting in that locked room aware that there were people outside wanting to kill you? I don’t know about you, but having someone come up and breathe on me probably wouldn’t give me the courage to face something like that. In the passage, however, that wasn’t just a random somebody and it wasn’t just a normal breath - something really incredible happened and it gave the disciples the courage to face their fears and begin evangelizing.

From how we know the disciples - as saints and followers of Jesus - it may seem out of character that there was a time they weren’t yet going to the ends of the earth to evangelize. Just knowing about Jesus’ passion and resurrection isn’t enough to get us to do something about it, we need the Holy Spirit. 

Although we can’t see the Holy Spirit, we can see the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit as they are manifested in and through a person - similar to knowing there is wind because the branches of a tree are moving. The third person of the Trinity has always been in existence, but it wasn’t until Pentecost that the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit and became aware and able to act from its presence.

Jesus breathing on His disciples to give them the gift of the Holy Spirit brings us in full circle. In the book of Genesis, we read that God breathed life into the first man, Adam, which brought him to a perfect and beautiful relationship with God. At the fall of man, through original sin, death entered into the picture. Now as Jesus, the “New Adam", breaths the Holy Spirit upon His disciples, we are given a new spiritual life.

Through the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity, and the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord, we are able to fulfill the mission Jesus left us with. This is why the Sacrament of Confirmation is so important! We become sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit which enables and strengthens us to do our part in building up the Kingdom of God through our service as members of the Church, as one body in Christ.

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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.

What are some of the fears that await you outside the doors like pentecost?

How can the gifts of the Holy Spirit help you share the love of God?

​How have you seen the Holy Spirit working in your life?

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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.

"Come, Holy Spirit, into my mind."

"Flow, Holy Spirit, in my heart."
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"Live, Holy Spirit, in my soul.​"

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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?

Ask the Lord to make the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit super clear to you. Spend time today meditating on these fruits and gifts so you can better recognize them in your life.

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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 LoBosco, a student at the University of Dayton studying Music Therapy.

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.