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). The Lord speaks pretty strongly today in the Gospel in telling us to not judge other people! He is saying this not to condemn us, but rather to strongly reveal to us that when we are focused on the faults of others we can never grow in the places where we lack. The Lord even more strongly wants to emphasize this because when we focus on judging other people or are constantly concerned with what other people are doing we lose our focus on God and the way he is speaking to us. We close ourselves off… Think of it this way. God is always infinitely loving each one of us at every single moment of our lives. Yet often we think that when we feel good, God is loving us so much and when we feel bad, God is withdrawing His love, but the reality is He is always showering you in infinite love. His love is not on a dial, like sometimes he is giving you a 1 of love and other times a 10, in reality He is always giving you an 11! If this is true then why aren’t we always experiencing this love… well think of it this way. I can shoot a firehose at a person, but if they are standing in a doorway with the door closed then they are not going to get even an ounce of that water. The door has to be opened for the person to be drenched. God the Divine Firefighter wants to drench you His love, mercy, and grace, but what doors do you have closed? When we judge others, we close the door. When we choose not to love another, we close the door. When we accept the lie that we aren’t good enough we close the door…. Ask God today what doors He must open in order to flood you with His water love! 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 doors do you have closed? In what areas of your life do you need to open up to the Lord? Do you find yourself focusing more on judging other or on your relationship with God? In what areas of your life do you need to grow in order to become a better person and more focused on God? 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. "Open my heart, Lord." "Flood my heart with your love." "Help me to grow." 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? Every time you catch yourself judging someone, stop and take a moment to pray for that person instead. 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 Fr. Kyle Manno, priest of the Diocese of Rockford.
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