Time of Fulfillment

1/14/2019

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.

Mark 1:14-20

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).

“This is the time of fulfillment.” These are Christ’s first words in the Gospel of Mark. There are many things He could have said as His first words in public. He could have proclaimed His status as God, He could have given words of judgment or condemnation, He could have given some rules that we as humans should follow. Yet no, His first words are about fulfillment. Everything that the Jewish people have been awaiting for generations upon generations, all of the promises about new life and hope and redemption and satisfaction of desire, all of that is finally here. The time has come. “This is the time of fulfillment.”

This is what Christ came for: fulfillment. Fulfillment of all of our hopes and desires, the true fulfillment of humanity. He came to make us fully human. How is Christ offering you fulfillment in this new year? What ways are you seeking fulfillment in things other than Him and what are some simple ways you can start to find your fulfillment in Christ?

Doesn’t this mean not finding fulfillment in the world? No! Rather, it means finding your fulfillment in Christ and in the world, or rather, finding your fulfillment in Christ THROUGH the world and the desires he has given us. This is what the Incarnation is all about! Do you love soccer? Find God in soccer and your love of it. Because he is there. Do you love EDM music? Find God in it. He is there. Do you love science (for those of you who do!)? Find God in it. He is there. And if we can’t find Him in the good things of this world that we love, then there is something drastically deficient in our relationship with Him. He wants to be a part of ALL of our lives, not just a part of our Sunday Mass life and our 10-15 minutes of daily prayer life. He wants to live it all with us, He wants to be found in everything. So, let us find Him. “This is the time of fulfillment.”

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.

What do you most desire from our Lord?

How is Christ offering you fulfillment in this new year?

What ways are you seeking fulfillment in things other than Him?

When do you see God in your daily life?

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.

"This is the time of fulfillment.”

"Find God in everything."

"Lord I need you."

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?

What do you desire from the Lord? Write them down and take them to prayer.

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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.

Today's prayer was prepared by Lisa Kendzior, Junior High Youth Minister at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, 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.

CARPE VERBUM