CARPE VERBUM
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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). There have been a number of moments in my relationship with Christ that I like to refer to as “mic drop moments.” You know, times when it feels like the Lord throws out some insane piece of insight or wisdom, then just drops the mic and walks away. Today’s Gospel reading definitely qualifies as mic drop moment. As I was reflecting on this specific Scripture story in prayer I was struck by the phrase that “he (Jesus) was amazed,” that the centurions faith was so great, that it moved Christ to marvel at him. I mean this is the God of the universe we’re talking about here, moving him into amazement probably isn’t something that happens every day; so I decided to look it up. Turns out Jesus is only said to be amazed, one other time in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Mark. Only this time the story ends a bit differently. Here are the highlights: Jesus travels to Nazareth, his hometown, but when he attempts to teach the people there, they reject him because they had seen him grow up and they couldn’t handle the fact that he had become a wise Jewish teacher/leader. And so the Lord left Nazareth because “he was amazed at their lack of faith” (Mk. 6:6). When these two moments of amazement are put side by side, the contrasts are clear. In today’s reading, the Lord is amazed by the centurion’s faith, whereas in the Gospel of Mark he’s amazed at Nazareth’s lack of it. The centurion was a known Gentile (someone who was not Jewish), while Nazareth was known to have a large Jewish population. The Jewish people of Nazareth would’ve been raised in the faith. They would have been taught about the Messiah and the miracles he would perform and the teachings he would provide. The centurion wouldn’t have known any of that. As I came to these realizations in prayer, I heard the Lord say to my heart, “you can call yourself a Christian, but if your faith doesn’t back it up then you’re no different from the people of Nazareth.” Mic. Dropped. You see it’s not enough to just say that we’re Christians or to just know some, or even all, of the teachings of the Church. Without faith, without striving to trust and believe in the Lord, we become less and less like the faithful centurion, and more and more like the people of Nazareth. So, as we continue our day, let us ask the Lord to increase our faith so that we, too, might move him to amazement. 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. Would the Lord be amazed at your great faith? Or would He be amazed at your lack of faith? Is your faith evident by the way you live your life? What about your faith and your relationship with the Lord amazes 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. "Lord, I'm amazed by you." "Lord, increase my faith." "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof." 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 Lord bear fruit in you today? Strive to have the faith of the centurion. Make your faith evident in the things you say and by the way you live your life. 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 Lauren Wright, an Adore Missionary and Youth Minister in Rockford, IL.
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