The Beatitudes

6/8/2020

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.

MATTHEW 5:1-12

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).

A common longing in the heart, especially of the young, is to know one’s vocation in this life. Too often this vocational question is reduced to questions about Marriage or Priesthood/Religious life. When this happens, one’s vocation – one’s call from God – is often pushed off into the future, as if God is waiting for us down the road and only there will he reveal what it is that he desires for us in this life. Today’s readings challenge that notion of vocation with Jesus’ teaching on the Beatitudes.

St. Augustine once wrote that the Sermon on the Mount reveals the core of what it means to be Christian, and at the heart of this Sermon is today’s Gospel on the Beatitudes. One way of understanding the Beatitudes is as a portrait of Christ himself and thus as a model for Christians to imitate. Notice what we are called to imitate, it is not this or that particular path, but rather it is a whole new way of living which Christ’s lived example and continuous grace illuminates for us. We are called, most fundamentally, to imitate Christ, or as St. Paul says, “to put on Christ.” God’s calling for us is for us to follow him as Christians, the rest of our lives will emerge from within our new life with Christ and his Church.

If you have ever wondered about God’s will for your life and yet been distressed that his “call” seems to be silent some days, pray today with the Beatitudes. Ask the Lord in prayer to open up your heart to which Beatitude you feel moved to grow in as you continue your journey to imitate and follow our Lord. God’s call for all of us is to become like his Son; where we continue to be far from Christ’s example, we can be sure God is calling us to grow. The logic of the Beatitudes is not understood from without but is seen from within one’s lived experience of putting them into practice. Christ is inviting you and I to put his Beatitudes into action in our daily lives. Where is your heart moved today to do this?

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.

The Beatitudes are a portrait of both Christ and Christ's desire for his disciples. Which part of this portrait are you inspired to put into practice in your life today?

How are you living out God's call for you today?

What is one tangible way you can live out each Beatitude?

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.

"Here I am Lord."

"Lead me Lord."

"Jesus, I trust in 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?

efore we continue with the prayer we have been praying daily during this pandemic, let us pray for unity. Please click here to pray the Prayer to Overcome Racism. I encourage you to pray this prayer often, or one similar in your own words so that we can begin to strive towards the unity God created us for.

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In this difficult time, we will use our Action step each day to join with people around the world in praying for an end to the pandemic of the Coronavirus, for the healing of all those affected, and for the comfort of all those who have lost a loved one. The prayer below is from Archbishop José H. Gomez, President of the USCCB in his reflection and prayer during coronavirus:

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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 Jon Polce, SJ.

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