Trust and Believe

7/18/2018

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.

Matthew 11:25-27

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 Gospel is one that is quoted quite a bit, or at least the concept: have faith like a child. What exactly does that mean? I got a little more insight to this last week when my whole family was in town.

I have 5 nephews and a niece, most of whom are under the age of 4. Their mom or dad would tell them a truth and they would believe it. The kids might question a little bit, but ultimately they trusted and believed what their parents said.

This is how God, our Father wants us to be: to trust and believe what He says is true. It’s okay to question the faith and the Church’s teachings in order to understand them more. Where childlike faith comes in is that even through questions we come to believe what the Church says to be true.

This isn’t always easy and I still need to remind myself of this. There are concepts of our faith that are a mystery (like the Eucharist) that are impossible for us to ever fully understand. There are times when we doubt, but that’s when I think about Mark 9:24: “I believe; help my unbelief.”

Especially when there are teaching of the Church that are counter cultural and hard to understand, remember it’s okay to question in order to understand it more but to ultimately believe in what the Church says and trust it to be true. When you come to a teaching you need help to understand, reach out to a priest or someone who knows the teachings of the Church to understand more. Then take it prayer and say: “Lord I believe; help my unbelief.”

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.

Do you trust and believe that what God says is true?

What questions do you find yourself having about your faith?

What are you doing to seek answers to your questions and grow in trust and belief of the Lord?

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.

"Lord, I believe."

"Help my unbelief."

"Jesus, I trust in 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?

Repeat the prayer: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief." Seek answers to any questions you might have about your faith. You can look up questions and answers in the Catechism of the Catholic Church or contact the priest or youth minister at your church.

Smartphone Lock Screen

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 Kayla Essner, a high school Math teacher in Denver, CO.

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