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). MThe Lord calls us to be holy—to be set apart. This means our lives are different; we follow different rules, and try each day to grow in authentic virtue. It is pure gift that the Lord has chosen to share His life with you, and called you into communion with Him. This call to holiness also forms how we enter into society. I’m sure you know some people who are super pro-life, they pray the rosary often, and they march for life. I love those people. I’m sure you know some people who go to Mass every day, who love adoration, and who can maybe even spout off their favorite psalm. I love those people. I’m sure you know some people who don’t like the Church, they might not like you because you are Catholic, and they aren’t willing to talk about faith with you at all. I love those people. You might know some people who are activists, constantly making sacrifices to help other people, even if they might not realize that the rights they’re fighting for might end up hurting those they’re trying to help instead. I love those people. One thing I know about each of these people, and truly anyone, is that they desire to know Jesus. Deep down they are longing to see Him. Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector, who cheated people constantly. The crowd grumbled about Zacchaeus because they thought they knew him. They defined him by the bad things he had done and totally missed that his heart was longing for the Lord. Zacchaeus darted up a tree to but get a glance at the King of Kings. Jesus saw Him, deeply saw him, and told Him to come down quickly because Jesus wanted to come to his house. Do you find yourself grumbling about those around you who aren’t on the same page as you? Do you take the gift of knowing Jesus already for granted? The Lord is going to provide many opportunities for you to either be like the crowd grumbling, or like the tree that gave Zacchaeus the little boost he needed to see Jesus. If you are sturdy and remain with others, even those who may not see eye to eye with you, they may someday recognize that if they use you for support they might see what, or Who rather, they have been longing for. That boost didn’t just help Zacchaeus see Jesus, but it connected them to the point Jesus told him that He wanted to reside with Him. No matter how far people seem from Jesus, you could make an eternal difference in their life. It’s not easy, don’t get frustrated with yourself, just dig your feet deep like the roots in the midst of these dear children of God and grow in and for Jesus and get ready to be surprised by the child-like desire of even the hardest of hearts for the Lord. 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 was the first time you saw Jesus? What was that like? How did He reach you? Do you take knowing Jesus for granted? How can you reconnect to Him today? How can you bring Jesus to someone else today? 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. "Here I am Lord." "I see you Lord." "I want to see your face." 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? Today, spend time with Jesus. Go to adoration if you can and look at Him. Ask our Lord to help you truly see Him every day. 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 Robert Blood, seminarian of the Diocese of Rockford.
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