Sundays Are For the Lord

10/29/2018

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 13:10-17

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).

Let’s be careful not to take to any extremes. We neither want to say that we aren’t allowed to do ANYTHING on Sundays nor that we should do EVERYTHING on Sundays. Keeping holy the Lord’s Day is very important; are you confident in what that means?

Sundays are first and foremost the Lord’s Day. As the Code of Canon Law states: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass. Moreover, they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.” (1247)

On Sundays we are called in a special way to focus ourselves on God. In His almighty wisdom, God knew that we needed a specific day apart from the hustle and bustle of life to rest and re-center ourselves on Him. Of course we should be intentionally glorifying God every day, but it is also so important to have a day of heightened awareness to the purpose of our existence.

It’s easy to consider Sundays as just another day of the weekend; some “free time” to ourselves. Instead, it would be good to reflect on what is absolutely necessary to do each Sunday and whether it aligns with worshiping God, bringing you/others proper joy, or enabling your mind and body to relax. Let’s make sure Sunday doesn’t become just another day, but truly a day of the Lord.

If we truly sought to purposefully immerse ourselves in God’s love every Sunday, how much more life giving would the rest of the week be?

In this Gospel, Jesus demonstrates that the Sabbath is not necessarily about following specific rules but about living the reality of God’s love. God never takes a break from loving and neither should we.

Step #3: Oratio / Prayer

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.

Reflect on your Sunday (yesterday). How did you glorify the Lord?

Do you set Sundays apart? Why or why not?

How can you be like Jesus and honor the Sabbath?

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.

"Sundays are for rest."

"Lord, I love you."

"Jesus, I honor 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?

You have one week till Sunday. Ask the Lord this week for one thing you can do to make your Sunday more prayerful?

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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 Katie LoBosco, a student at the University of Dayton studying Music Therapy.

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