Our Poverty

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. 

Luke 21:1-4

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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).

The Gospel of the poor widow is indeed a good news for all of us. Why? Well, if you are reading this meditation, chances are you are reading it as fast as you can because you have so many things to do, so much stuff on your bucket list.

We live in a society that demands everything that we’ve got. There is so much pressure in the world right now to improve ourselves and prove how able and competent and efficient we are. We need to prove to everyone through our social media how well we manage our schedule and how much we can do in a day; how much we truly enjoy our day in the company of friends through those selfies we take, how smart and wise we are by the comments we post, and how knowledgeable we’ve become by quickly looking at other people’s life on social media, short videos and quick comments. Many of us think that’s the way to live, to know everything, even though we actually only learn very little. 

But, if that’s the way of life you and I live, we’re not living like the widow that the Lord praised in today’s Gospel; in fact, we're doing the opposite. See, our time is a wealth given to us by God so that our day can truly be a symphony of praise to Him from the rising of the sun to its setting. That is what we were created for: to offer everything back to God in thanksgiving. If we want to prove something in society, we should focus on proving the greatness of God through us by what we think, say, and do.

You and I are poor. That’s why we’re constantly on the run trying to fulfill what’s on our bucket list as quick as we possibly can. We don’t have much time; that’s why we’re trying to be efficient with short 24 hour a day that we’ve got, through the help of technology, which is another gift from God. Scripture mentions that we only have seventy years to live or eighty for those who are strong -  some of us live longer, but our health declines as we age. That’s how truly poor we are.

In realizing this poverty, we can learn to be like poor widow. With the limited time we have, in the poverty of our time today, let’s give it all to God. Be a good child to your parents. Be nice to everyone. Eat well. Exercise. Read a good book. Clean your room. Go to Mass. Pray. Examine your bucket list, put prayer on top of the list, then do the rest...for God. 

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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.

What are the areas of your life that the Lord is reminding you of your poverty? What do you do to fill those holes instead of letting the Lord in?

What are practical things you can do today to be a good child to your parents, a good co-worker, a good student, a good friend, etc.? 

Where do you keep prayer on your list of things that are important each day? What goes in front of it? Why is it not first?

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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.

"I am your poor servant"

"You are first"

​"Help me be poor"

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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 Lord bear fruit in you today?

Take one of the practical things you can do today to show that God is first in your life and do it. Don't make excuses, just start following the Lord. 

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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.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Fr. Ervin Caliente, priest of the Diocese of Rockford.