The LIght of Life

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 1:1-2, 3, 4, & 6

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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).

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Old school Catholicism would tell you that there are two ways to love God - perfectly and imperfectly. Imperfect love would say...shoot...I better get myself to Mass every week or I'll go to hell! Imperfect love would say, I have to go to confession immediately or I'm in huge trouble with the big guy in the sky! If I don't say my prayers every morning and evening, I'm a horrible person!

Perfect love has an entirely different motivation. 

Perfect love says, I better get to Mass this week because it makes life better. Perfect love says, I better get to confession to encounter the unbelievable and mind-blowing mercy of a Father who loves me and wants to heal the wounds in me brought about by sin. Perfect love says, I gotta pray so that I can be the fullest, happiest, most alive person possible. Perfect love casts out all fear and leads us to real, true, peaceful freedom.

That's what today's psalm is all about. Note: the psalmist does not say, "Those who follow you, Lord, are not naughty." What he says is...

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life!

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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.

Do you feel like you more often love God imperfectly or perfectly? Read the reflection again in order to help you process that. 

What are some things you do because you are "scared of hell" instead of because you trust in God who wants to give you the light of life? 

​What is your motivation to pray? 

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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.

"Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life!"

"You are my light."

"You are Life."

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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 Lord bear fruit in you today?

Pick something you do in prayer - maybe it's the way you say grace, or your prayers at night - and focus on making it a prayer out of trust and love instead of fear. 

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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.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Fr. Jon Bakkelund, priest of the Diocese of Rockford.