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). Memory. It’s an interesting thing. I read recently that Alexander the Great (you know, the super impressive military leader and king) was able to remember the names of his soldiers…there were approximately 30,000 people in his army. That seems absurd to me; especially when I can’t even remember what I had for dinner last night. To be honest, I’ve really never been very good at remembering. When I was in school, my inability to memorize facts and dates is always what came back to bite me during test time. And even now, as someone who works with people every day, the struggle of remembering names is so very real. And because of the reality of my memory deficiency, I’ve spent far too much time trying to figure out how to make it easier to remember. Once, while in the midst of my research, I stumbled upon this old marketing adage called “The Rule of Seven.” This theory refers to this idea that potential consumers need to hear an advertiser’s marketing message at least seven times before they’ll actually go out and buy a product; seven times before the consumer will act on the message, seven times before message moves them to mission. And while the number “seven” isn’t necessarily meant to be taken literally, the gist of the theory is that we need to hear a message a number of times before it will actually move us to act, before it will move us into mission. In today’s Gospel, the Lord tells us that he sent the Holy Spirit to help remind us of everything he’s taught us, to help remind us of his message. But if we don’t give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to speak to us, to remind us of his message, then we can’t expect it to move us to act, to move us into mission. And isn’t that what we’ve been called to do? To proclaim God’s message through mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:19-20). But let’s be honest, we’re a forgetful people. So quick to disremember all the good the Lord has done in our lives (I like to call it Spiritual Amnesia). We must make time to listen; we must allow the Holy Spirit to act as our Divine Reminder. So today let us not forget that how desperately we need to be reminded of the message that Christ has given us the mission to share. 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 do you need to be reminded of? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit the opportunity to speak to you? Are you taking the time to listen and hear the Lord's message time and time again? How is the Holy Spirit moving you into mission? Where do you see this mission playing out in your life? 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. "Come, Holy Spirit." "Remind me, Lord." "Move my heart." 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? Spend some time praying to the Holy Spirit today, asking Him to remind you again and again of the Lord's message for you. 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, a Youth Minister in Rockford, IL.
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