Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious

1/4/2021

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.

Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

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).

Who can you bring to Jesus?

As I read today's Gospel, my mind was repeatedly drawn to scenes from The Chosen series. This series provides us with a reflection of Jesus’ life: we get to see the depth of His gaze, the encounter in His touch, the gentleness of His voice, the simplicity in His jokes, the tenderness of His heart, and the intentionality with which He loves.

As this Gospel states, we get to see Him proclaim, teach, and cure.

At His word, Jesus heals. This draws people to Him. And in a particular way, I’m reminded of the scene in Episode 6 of The Chosen when the woman witnesses Jesus heal the leper. She is amazed. She gathers people to bring her friend who has been paralyzed since childhood to Jesus. We know this scripture. Jesus is preaching from a house. There is a great crowd around Him, so they can’t get to Jesus. They bring the paralyzed man to the roof of the house, they tear open the roof, and lower the paralyzed friend down to Jesus. And Jesus heals him.

At the end of this scene, Jesus looks at the woman and gently says “your faith is beautiful.” Why? Because she boldly gathered people to carry her friend. She boldly cried out to Jesus to heal her friend. She boldly tore open the roof of a stranger’s home to lower her friend to Jesus.

She brought her friend to Jesus.

And she wasn’t the only one to do this. “And they brought to him all who were sick.” People boldly brought their friends and family to Jesus. People brought those who they knew were suffering from diseases, those who were possessed, epileptics, and paralyzed. And Jesus healed them.

Jesus desires to heal us just as much today as He healed the paralytic. It can be uncomfortable to cry out to Jesus, to ask Him for healing. Whether it’s for ourselves or for a friend. But friends, it happens!!!

Jesus heals. He is Healer.

Just as much today, He is Healer.

Who can you bring to Jesus?

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 has brought me to Jesus?

Who can I bring to Jesus?

Where do I need healing?

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.

"Lead me to your heart."

"Heal my heart."

"Make me whole."

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?

Think of someone in your life who is in need of healing from the Lord, and take some time to intentionally pray for that person and 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 Sarah Lessmann.

CARPE VERBUM