Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).
Today’s Gospel concludes with one of my favorite lines of Scripture, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” It is as true today as it was in the first century. There is much work to be done in the vineyard, and not very many people to do it. In order to see how much work there is you just need to open your favorite social media app or look at the front page of a newspaper’s website. There is just so much work to do. Many times we believe that it is someone else’s job, but that’s not always true. It’s as much your job as it is my job. We are the laborers that the Lord has called for the Harvest. We are the hands and feet to do His work in the world. I can often be overwhelmed by how much there is to do: surviving the losses of a pandemic (physical, emotional, mental, and economical), eradicating poverty, dismantling systemic racism, providing loving homes to all children, especially those in danger of abortion, eliminating sexual assault and domestic violence, and so much more. We are called to be part of the healing of the wound; to be the hands and fee of Christ in the world. We are called to spread the love of Christ to all of the world- to ensure every person on earth knows that God loves them and sent His Son to die on the cross to redeem them, so they can live forever in the kingdom of Heaven. That is the main crux of the labor we need to do! It looks different depending on the situation. Make no mistake, you are being called into the harvest to do some labor. Take some time today to ask the Lord what He’s calling you to do. Then put on your gloves and boots and get into the field! 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.
What work needs to be done in and around my life? What are some of the many things I see in the world within which the light of Christ needs to shine? How do I respond when I see the work God is preparing for his Church and for me? How can I grow to become more responsive? What is God specifically calling me to do here and now, as early as today, to go out into the vineyard and accomplish for the sake of his Kingdom? 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.
"I am your laborer." "Come, heal the world." "Help me respond to your call." 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?
Take the time today to make one concrete step to respond to God's call in your life to work as his laborer. Maybe it's a social media post, doing research so you can better converse about one of the current issues of today, supporting a family member, or something else. Respond to God's call today- the better you respond in small ways, the better you'll respond in big ways! 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 Herzing, a former youth minister turned parish evangelization consultant living in North Carolina. 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. Comments are closed.
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