Solid Foundations

​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.

Matthew 7:21-29

​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).

What are you rooted in? What are your foundations? Do you define yourself by the things you do or have? Or do you define yourself as a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Christ wants us to have Him as our foundation. He wants us to know His word, but even more than that, act on it. We are called to do more than read the Word of God, but live by it. Being a Christian is more than just believing in God, it changes your whole life. Christ wants your relationship with Him to be reflected in every act you do. 

At first glance, today's Gospel sounds like Jesus must be in a bad mood or something. Why would He reject people who followed Him? Well, the people Christ is talking about never really knew Him. They didn't really have a relationship with Christ and follow Him wholeheartedly. Jesus is telling us that we need to be fully committed to Him; He wants all of us. If we make the foundation of our lives Jesus Christ, we will be that stable house that doesn't wash away in the storm. If you really give yourself 100% to Jesus, you won't be overcome by life's challenges or hardships. We all face suffering in our lives in some way or another, but if we really listen to Christ and all that He has taught us, we have nothing to fear for He is with us always.

Don't be the fool who builds a house on sand. Let yourself be founded on the sturdy rock that can never and will never be washed away. Don't define yourself and base your life on the things in life that pass away like sand, but define yourself as a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word and loving Savior. 

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.

How do you define yourself? Are you building your life based on passing things, or the eternal God?

Are you living out the Gospel? Is there something that's holding you back from being fully committed to a life as a disciple of Jesus Christ?

How can you build a stronger foundation based on your relationship with Christ?

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 need You."

"I trust You."

"I will follow 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?

Read more Scripture today. Learn more about what Christ preached and take it to heart. Really spend time in prayer listening to what God wants you to know through His word. After your time in prayer, do something to put into action what you learned about Christ. 

​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.

​Today's prayer was prepared by Mary Griffin, a theology graduate student at Franciscan University of Steubenville. 

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.