Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick 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. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateClick 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. I know this is “old” now, but there’s a line in the movie Frozen that has always kind of bothered me. It’s during the song “Fixer Upper” and it’s a line that Bulda -- the momma troll -- sings to Anna: “We're not sayin' you can change him, 'cause people don't really change.” On one hand, the Lord has created us each in a unique and beautiful way. Even some of our greatest weaknesses are by His design, and we are called to learn who He has created us to be. On the other hand, is it true that people can’t really change? That I’m doomed to be ruled by my faults, weaknesses, and sins for the rest of my life? That’s a little discouraging. Lucky for us, St. Paul doesn’t see it that way. And neither does Jesus. In today’s second reading, we hear that, “you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self.” Not only is change possible, but it’s part of the Christian life! Our universal call to discipleship is to turn away from sin and be transformed more and more into the person the Lord has created us to be! In my own life, I have a temper. Always have and probably always will. But by God’s grace, over time I’ve made progress little by little in gaining greater control of myself when I do get angry. I’m a self-centered only-child, but the Lord has given me a wife and five children to help me to focus more and more on putting others before myself. The culture doesn’t know what to do with sin. Without a Savior, how do we come to terms with the wrong we’ve done and the guilt we feel? So instead, the culture tells us that our sins help to define who we are. It even goes so far as to tell us that the sins we commit are actually “good” because they’re an undeniable part of our identities. Nope. With the Lord’s help, we CAN change. In fact, He expects it. But we don’t change from who we’re supposed to be into some stranger we don’t like. We are called to change from the sinners we’ve become back into the thriving people He originally created us to be. He wants us to take off the “old self” that’s stuck in sin, and to put on the “new self” that “is being renewed... in the image of its creator.” He is eager to help us become more like Himself, and more like our true selves. It’s the true love of our Lord that can bring us real transformation. 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 are some sinful habits you need to work on changing in your life? How can you slowly begin to change, little by little, in those areas today? What does it look like to be exactly how God created you to be? 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. "Jesus, I trust in You." "Come Holy Spirit." "I am all Yours, 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? Make some changes. Be practical, be patient, but keep trying. 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 Dan Wolff, husband, father and spreadsheet extraordinaire
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. Comments are closed.
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