Stop and Return

11/11/2020

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 17:11-19

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).

“He fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” When I read this line in today’s Gospel, it really stuck with me. When was the last time that I fell at the feet of Jesus and really thanked Him for something in my life?

It is easy to judge those other lepers in this story. Come on guys, you were healed! Don’t you want to go and thank the healer? Come on! But I know that there have been times in my own life when the Lord has answered a prayer and then boom, I’m off to the next prayer request. How quickly I forget the ways He has acted in my life! Many times, I am so quick to move on to the next thing that I fail to give thanks and show my appreciation for the way the Lord has shown up for me.

Today’s gospel reminds me to stop and return to the Lord. No matter the path that I am on-I can stop and fall to the feet of Jesus for a moment. I can say thank you for His blessings and for the good He is doing in my life. I can stop what I’m doing for even just one moment and say thank you. One of the quotes I have hanging on my wall is from Blessed Solanus Casey and it reads, “Thank God ahead of time.” I love this quote because it reminds me to thank God and to thank Him regardless of whether I receive a yes, no or a maybe later. Bringing my heart to a place of constant gratefulness and thankfulness brings me closer to Jesus. When I take the time to say thank you to the Lord or even thank you to the people around me, I am a different person. That gratitude molds my heart to look more like Christ’s.

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 often do you stop and thank the Lord?

How can you thank the Lord in advance?

How does gratitude change your heart and faith?

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.

“He fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.”

"Stop and return to the Lord."

“Thank God ahead of time.”

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?

What are three things you want to thank the Lord for? What do you want to thank Him for before you know? Make a practice of doing this each night this week.

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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 Megan Kramer, a parishioner at St. Mary's Parish in Huntley, IL.

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.

CARPE VERBUM