The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

12/31/2020

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.

John 1:1-18

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).

The last day of 2020. How many of us have longed for this day, as we have awaited the end of one of the longest years of most of our lives.

Each year, I find that I usually spend the month of December feeling particularly nostalgic as I look back on the previous year and the work that the Lord has done in my life during the last 12 months. This year is one that maybe a lot of us do not want to reflect on but would rather forget and move forward. And yet, when I take the time to reflect, I see how the Lord’s power was still at work in incredible ways, both in my life and in the lives of my family and friends.

No matter what this year has brought, there is no such thing as wasted suffering when it is offered to the Lord. While none of us know what the next year will bring, I truly believe that the fruits to come in 2021, born of our tears and suffering in 2020, will be more beautiful than anything we could imagine.

The Christmas season reminds us that the Word still became flesh. The light still shines in the darkness, and the darkness still cannot overcome it. And I pray that we never lose sight of that fact as we enter into the new year.

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.

Where have I seen the Lord's power and might at work in my life this past year?

Where have I seen the light overcome the darkness in this past year?

What fruit do I hope to see in the year to come?

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.

"The Word became flesh."

"The light shines in the darkness."

"The darkness has not overcome."

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?

Spend some time in prayerful reflection, and offer to the Lord all the joys and struggles of the past year as well as all of your hopes and prayers for the year to come.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Maggie Super.

CARPE VERBUM