The Face of God

10/3/2020

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.

Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130

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).

I desire to see the face of God. The Psalm today provides us with a beautiful prayer asking “Lord, let your face shine on me.”

But can we be real for a second? What the heck is that supposed to look like? When I think about seeing the face of God, I think about St. Faustina and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who quite literally saw the face of God because he appeared to them, or I think about the disciples who saw Jesus, in the flesh, day in and day out.

This is awesome, but this is not our reality. This is not something I can just sit around for, hoping it’ll happen, and then I can finally say that I have seen the face of God. Every now and again I wonder if they were just special, maybe I’m not as holy as they were, I just wasn’t cut out for that. But that is sainthood, and I was made for it. The entire human family was made for it. And guess what? That means you.

Friends, we have not been forgotten. We are not less holy or farther away from God because we haven’t seen His face in the same way the disciples and some of the saints have. We have the opportunity to let the Lord’s face shine on us in the Holy Eucharist. We have an opportunity to come before him as little children, to abandon ourselves to him, and to receive all that he desires to give us. Take advantage of that opportunity. Come before the Lord in adoration and ask him, “Lord, let your face shine on me.”

Take some time today to let the Lord’s face shine upon you. Pray with today’s Psalm. Come before your Father as his Child and soak up all the love he’s pouring into your heart.

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.

In what ways are you seeking the Lord's face but have not yet encountered it in the way you expected? What is he trying to reach you in those experiences?

Which saints inspire you, and how can you more radically live following their example?

How is God trying to love you in a unique way today?

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.

"Lord, let your face shine upon me."

"Jesus, I trust in you."

"Come, Holy Spirit."

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?

Set a reminder on your phone so that today's Psalm – "Lord, let your face shine on me" – pops up at least once or twice a day. When it does, make a prayer to the Lord that you would be able to let his face shine more fully upon you, and see how he wants to reveal himself to you.

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 Anna Roche, the High School Youth Minister at St. Thomas the Apostle in Crystal Lake, 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