The Greatest Is Love

9/19/2018

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.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

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).

Have you ever gotten a really mean text or email from someone that completely ruined your day? Or maybe someone made a comment in passing that brought back up some of your deepest wounds? It's amazing how sometimes just a few harsh words can ruin an entire day. Somehow it always seems to be those words that hurt the most or those wounds that haven't quite healed yet that overshadow a lot of the happier moments in our days. At the end of the day though, all that remains is faith, hope, and love.

Take a moment to think of a moment when you felt truly loved, whether you felt loved by God, by a family, by a friend, or by yourself. Maybe it has been awhile or takes you back to your childhood, but think of the power and the beauty in that moment. We speak of love often and hear today's first reading quoted often, but I think few of us truly understand the depth of these words. We can so quickly tear each other down by being pompous or jealous, rude or quick-tempered, inflated or selfish. Or we can choose to make this world a better place and help build the kingdom of God here on earth by choosing to love one another and build one another up.

Surround yourself with people who build you up in the ways they speak to you and act around you. These are the people that you will have the privilege of journeying with on the path to heaven, where you will experience the fullness of love itself.

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.

When was the last time I truly felt loved?

Who are the people in my life that make me feel loved and build me up?

What am I doing to love those around me?

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 love you, Lord."

"Thank you for loving me."

"The greatest is love."

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?

During the month of September, we ask that each day, for the Action step of our lectio divina, everyone prays a Divine Mercy Chaplet together for the healing of all victims of clerical abuse of any kind as well as for the healing and guidance of our Church.

For more information on why we are doing this or how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, click here.

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 Maggie Overbeck, Director of Youth Ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Church 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