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). What strikes me most as I read through today’s Gospel reading, is how completely and entirely un-glamorous this whole scene truly is. Jesus heads towards the sea and is followed by crowds of people (so many that he literally had to consider the potential that they would crush him)! And if that was not enough, the crowd begins to press upon Him in hopes that just coming into contact with the Lord would heal them. I can only imagine how unappealing this whole scene would’ve been. Crowds who had been walking all day and people wracked with diseases all surrounding and pressing in on the Lord. And yet He doesn’t run. He doesn’t turn them away. He continues to heal and free people from demonic possession. You know so often in my own life, I catch myself believing the lie that my mess is too much for the Lord. It’s hard to wrap my head around the reality that the God of the Universe would ever want to meet me in the depths of my weakness, sin, and brokenness. But that’s why it’s called the Good News. The Lord is captivated by you. He is completely and entirely unafraid of your messiness. Our God is perfect love Himself, and “perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18). He desires to draw close to you in the midst of your mess. We even see this desire made manifest in His first earthly action. The Christ, the Son of the Living God, the King of all Kings was not born in a palace made of gold but in a messy, dirty, smelly stable. He has proven He is not afraid of messiness. My invitation to you today is to invite Him into the spaces of your heart that you’ve kept hidden, that you’ve been too ashamed of to allow Him to breathe new life into. He desires to meet you there. He desires to heal you. He is not the God of the elite few, but of the crowds desperate for a Savior. Jesus, today we give you access to every part of ourselves. Shed light into the darkness and heal all that is broken. Only you can breathe new life into our brokenness. We surrender completely to you, Lord. Amen. 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. What lies do I believe about my life? Do I really believe that you are captivated by me? How do I try to hide my heart from you? 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. St. Agnes, pray for us. Help me to be more like 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 the Lord bear fruit in you today? 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 reflection was written by Lauren Wright.
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