Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).
Fruit snacks. In my house, fruit snacks are like gold. They try to convince me they are a healthy snack because the name includes the word fruit...nice try. When my daughter was little I asked her to share the box of fruit snacks with her friends and she was resistant. She didn’t want to give up any of her pouches because then one day she wouldn’t have anymore fruit snacks. I told her, “Honey, there will be more fruit snacks. This is a kind thing to do.” When I read today’s first reading, I thought of this situation and the many other times I’ve reminded my daughter that there will “be more” of something. The Lord is never outdone in generosity. When I reflect on my life, I can see the ways He has provided for me, just as He says He will. Throughout the Bible, we hear of God’s faithfulness and that God will not abandon His people. However, I oftentimes find myself wanting to hoard all the fruit snacks and hunker down. But the widow in this reading gives generously, she gives everything she has. Elijah, a prophet of God, is asking her to give the very last of what she had. This wasn’t just fruit snacks for her- this was her very livelihood. It was everything. But the Lord gives to her generously. He provides for her. Just as He provided for the widow, the Lord provides for us. We can trust in God’s tender loving care. In a world full of so much uncertainty, it’s hard to trust. When our trust has been betrayed or we have been hurt, it can be difficult to give God everything. We want to keep one pouch of fruit snacks, just in case. The message that keeps repeating in my heart as I reflect on this passage is that God is good and He keeps His promises. He does what He says He is going to do. When I take a look at my life and really dive into the hard moments, I can find that God was there. He gave me more abundantly than I even realized. Therefore, I can have faith like the widow and give everything. There will be more of those moments for me, too, of this I am sure. Our Lord is a good, good Father and we will not run dry of the things that are good and bring us life. There will always be more fruit snacks. 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.
How do I hoard the gifts that God has given to me by not wanting to share them with others? What are those gifts? In what ways is God calling to me to give of myself, to spend myself, for his sake and the sake of others? How do I struggle to trust that God will always have more to give me? What wounds have I experienced in the past that lead me to believe the lies that are contrary to this truth? 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.
"Every good gift comes from you." "Teach me to give without counting the cost." "There is always more in you, Lord." 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?
Before we continue with the prayer we have been praying daily during this pandemic, let us pray for unity. Please click here to pray the Prayer to Overcome Racism. I encourage you to pray this prayer often, or one similar in your own words so that we can begin to strive towards the unity God created us for. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this difficult time, we will use our Action step each day to join with people around the world in praying for an end to the pandemic of the Coronavirus, for the healing of all those affected, and for the comfort of all those who have lost a loved one. The prayer below is from Archbishop José H. Gomez, President of the USCCB in his reflection and prayer during coronavirus: Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas. We fly to you today as your beloved children. We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana. Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our nation and world, and for all our families and loved ones, the protection of your holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness. For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance. Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust. In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts. We come to you with confidence, knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother, health of the sick and cause of our joy. Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the embrace of your arms, help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen. 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 Megan Kramer, a parishioner at St. Mary's Parish 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. Comments are closed.
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