Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick 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. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). The Pharisees asked Jesus the wrong question. What good is it to know when the Kingdom of God would come if they don’t even know what it is? They thought the Kingdom of God was some sort of earthly political regime or physical structure. But really, as St. John Paul II put it, “The Kingdom of God is the manifestation and realization of God’s plan of salvation in all its fullness”. Let’s place that definition into the phrase in Luke’s gospel: “For behold, the manifestation and realization of God’s plan of salvation in all its fullness is among you”… and the footnote in the bible about this passage also points out that “among you” could also be translated from the original Greek as “within you”. Take that in for a moment. “Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.” Have you ever tried to find Jesus? Have you ever gone on a retreat and everyone else around you seems to be having some really special moment with God yet you can’t even seem to feel His presence? Have you ever been the person to try to comfort and help someone who felt far from God? What do you do in those moments? Where do you go to find Jesus? How do you feel to be the “only one” not feeling God’s presence? What do you say to the person feeling far from God? In all honesty, I used to get pretty frustrated when people would tell me to “look within to find God” or remind me that if I’m feeling far from Jesus it’s because I put distance in the relationship. I figured that if the answers were “inside of me”, I would already know everything I needed to know. I thought I needed to go off and run in pursuit of God and His Kingdom. The Pharisees asked “When?” and I seem to be asking “Where?”…both of which seem to be ignoring Jesus who is saying now (when) that the Kingdom of God is in you (where). Personally, my greatest takeaway from all of this is that we all have an active role in the Kingdom of God and it is not enough to simply “look” within. We need to both look and act. There will be days you long to see God but might have trouble seeing Him. Maybe those are actually days that God is counting on you to bring His Kingdom to Earth. After all, His Kingdom is on Earth, and it’s in you. Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese 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. Where do you look for Jesus? How can you take His words and look within? How can you bring God's kingdom to others today? What do you say to someone who is feeling far from God? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn 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. "The Kingdom of God is within you." "God is present." "Lord let me see you." Step #5: Actio / ActIn 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? Today try and go to daily Mass, or adoration to spend time with our Lord who is truly present now. Smartphone Lock ScreenThe 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.
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