STEP #1: LECTIO / READ Today's reading is the Gospel: STEP #2: MEDITATIO / MEDITATEWhen I went off to college, I thought I pretty much had it all together. I had gone through youth group in high school, and I was going to a small Catholic university to study Theology. I thought I was strong in my faith and in my prayer life, and I thought I knew all there was to know. In many ways, I had become prideful and complacent in my faith. Throughout my time in college, the Lord continually humbled me, shook me up, broke down walls, and reminded me that our faith is a journey and we are never done growing. Our faith isn’t meant to be easy. It’s not always going to be rainbows and butterflies. The Beatitudes are there to remind us of that and give us hope. We should always remain poor in spirit. We should always hunger for more. We are all called to share in the suffering of Christ. And most likely, we will all experience persecution at some point in our lives because of our faith. It is not an easy calling, but if we are faithful and humble of heart, we are promised that our reward will be great in heaven. And the Lord never goes back on His promises. Most of us are pretty familiar with the Beatitudes, but maybe we aren’t as familiar with the second part of today’s reading - the woes. The woes remind us that we should not become complacent or be satisfied with this world. We were made for more. Growing takes time and isn’t always easy, and sometimes, it forces us to step out of our comfort zone. It’s so easy to become complacent and satisfied with the things of this world, but the Lord continually calls us to greatness, to push ourselves to always go deeper in our faith. Hopefully, we all experience good times and have fond memories in this life, but we need to realize that the joys and comforts of this life do not even come close to what we will experience in heaven. None of us have it all together. In bad times, look towards heaven. In good times, look towards heaven. Don’t become complacent. Keep hoping and keep looking towards heaven. STEP #3: ORATIO / PRAYIn what ways have I become complacent in my faith? Which beatitude do I most need to grow in? How is the Lord calling me to go deeper and grow in my faith? STEP #4: CONTEMPLATIO / CONTEMPLATE“Your reward will be great in heaven.” “You were made for greatness.” “Lord, take me deeper.” FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY...Dig deep. Don't be complacent. Pray about the ways the Lord is calling you to greatness and to go deeper in your faith. SMARTPHONE LOCK SCREEN  Today's prayer was prepared by Maggie Overbeck.
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