Love Your Neighbor

10/7/2019

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.

LUKE 10:25-37

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).

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one we hear of often, but do we really take it to heart? We want to say that if we saw someone bleeding on the side of the road we would stop. Any good person would stop and help or call 911 right? We would do whatever we could to help a stranger.

But what about the people in our life, our neighbors, who we don't stop and see. But what about the people who aren't visibly bleeding, but still are there? Who is the person that we are walking past in need? Is it the friend battling depression that it is easier not to address? Is it the weird kid that always sits alone? Is it your younger sibling who wants to play for you that you always tell to come back later?

God places people in our life in need of our help, in need of our gifts and in need of our faith. The person you need to reach out to is in your life, they are your neighbor. Your neighbor is the person in the house next door, but also the person next to you in the lunchroom, at the desk next to you or the locker. You need to love your neighbor, not the neighbor hypothetically, but the one right there. Go out and love your neighbor today and bring Christ to them wherever they are right now.

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.

Who in your life needs you? Who do you need to see? How can you reach out?

Do you know your neighbors? How can you come to know them better?

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.

"Love your neighbor."

"Bring Christ to others."

"I can help other."

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?

Reach out to one person today. Who is someone that needs you to bring Christ to them? Reach out to them today.

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.

Today's prayer was prepared by Lisa Kendzior, Junior High Youth Minister at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, IL.

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.

CARPE VERBUM