Preparing a Place

5/14/2017

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.

John 14:1-12

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).

It was the day of my wedding, and the outdoor reception venue was getting set up when we realized it was about to be covered in rain. This, was a problem, since, being that we were getting married in Southern California, and it doesn't rain there, there was no covering over any of the venue and everything would be soaked. So we scrambled; we rented some big tents, a family friend drove to people's homes all over town to collect smaller tents, and we got it covered in time for the rain.

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way."

When we as 21st Century people read the Scripture from Jesus we don't think of weddings and stories like the one I told above often, but the ancient Jewish people would have. In fact, John almost certainly wrote that story as He did, with Jesus saying that He will prepare a place and bring us to Himself, to remind us of weddings.

You see, in Jesus's time, the bride and bridegroom would become betrothed, but the wedding date would not be set. Instead, at an unknown hour, when he had finished building their home, and his father had given him permission, he'd go and get his bride, bring her back to where they would live, and they would celebrate this wedding with their family and friends.

Jesus, right before He is going to His cross, tells us that He will do the same thing. We read about it in the Easter season because of the promise it holds; Jesus left in order to go back to God the Father and prepare a place for us. He made a place so that when He comes back to get us - either at the end of the life or the end of the world - we'll be ready to be taken by our bridegroom to our eternal home.

Jesus' whole mission was to bring us back to the Father, in a relationship of love with Him, so that we would be where we were created to be. In relationship with Him, both now and in heaven, we'll find the rest, the joy, the peace, the hope, and the fulfillment that we long for. We can't reach that on our own; we can only find it in Jesus who is the Way. As we go about our day today, let us rest in the loving embrace of the Father, letting Jesus bring us back to Him, Jesus who is our bridegroom and longs to bring us home the place He has prepared for us.

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.

We are all called to be preparing for the day that Jesus comes for us. How are you preparing for the Lord to come again?

We don't know when Jesus will come for us. What can you do to be sure that you are ready to meet Him?

How can you find joy, rest and peace with our Lord today?

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.

"Where I am going you know the way."

"Where I am you also may be."

"I have prepared a place for you."

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?

Jesus, is calling you into a deeper relationship with Him. Spend some extra time today and pray with Jesus's words, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." What do these words mean to you? How should they change your life? How can you find joy with Jesus today?

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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 Jason Theobald, Director of Youth Ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Huntley, IL.

CARPE VERBUM