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). Sometimes it can feel like there is so much hate in the world. Hate for an individual, hate for government and politicians, hate for religions, races, genders etc. If we want to, we can find hatred almost anywhere we look. But this is nothing new. Jeremiah was hated more than we could ever know. He was hated, not because he did anything wrong, but because he called people out to be holier, to be better. Hatred doesn’t come from the actions of any person, hatred comes from the heart of the hater. People may hate you for no reason, or even for reasons they make up and spread about you. Where there is sin in someone’s heart, there is the possibility of hatred. So how do we avoid falling into this danger of hate? We must choose love. We can not control if other people hate us, we need to let that go and start changing the world by inspiring love. Authentic love will always conquer hate. Authentic love can transform you and even those who hate you. Authentic love doesn’t care how other people feel about them, it only cares about what’s best for the beloved. Do you love people enough I let them hate you, or are you just trying to please everybody? People are going to hate no matter what, but you get to decide if you meet that hate with more hate, or with love. Change the world today by caring less if people hate you and more about if you love them. 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. Do you worry if people will hate you for standing up for things you believe in? Do you 'back down' on things because others don't like it? Do you respond to hate with hate or with love? 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. "I love you Lord." "I'm striving to love those who don't love me." "I want to spread your love in the world." 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? Think of one actionable thing you can do today to spread a little love in the world? A happy text to a friend, calling someone who you haven't spoken to in a while to talk on the phone, baking a treat for a neighbor, helping someone at school carry their things, paying for the coffee/meal of the person behind you in line, sharing a happy thing on social media. 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 Sean Norris, a theology teacher at JSerra Catholic High School in Orange County, CA.
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. Comments are closed.
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