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 / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). I’m not really sure how vegetarians do it… live their lives without meat. That would be so incredibly hard for me, but for some people, it is a happy lifestyle they choose. The Israelites didn’t choose that lifestyle, but were surviving on Manna alone. A hard lifestyle, especially if you don’t freely choose it, but a livable one nonetheless. See, in my mind, slavery and captivity is way worse than no meat to eat. I feel like that is a pretty rational conclusion. It just seems obvious. The problem is, we fall into very similar traps all the time. How long can you last without your phone? Or how about without feeding your Starbucks or Dunkin addictions? We know we can live without these things, but sometimes we legit feel like we can’t. Maybe it’s not one of those, but there is something in your life that you rationally know you could live without, however you can’t imagine how you would survive without it. We have so little trust in the Lord, that we need our things to “survive.” The Israelites were lacking two important things in this reading today: trust and thanksgiving. They didn’t trust that God cared enough to take care of them, and they weren’t thankful for the ways He already had. We do the same thing! How often do we blame God or lose trust in Him when we hit the tiniest speed bump in our lives, and forget all the good He has already done? Instead of seeing Him as the loving Father He is to us, we see Him as someone who could forget about us, but nothing could be farther from the truth!! God cares about every moment of every part of your life! He is good and trustworthy, and He will continue to take care of you. Later on in this chapter, God sends an abundance of quail for the Israelites to eat. Nothing is too big or too small for God, your Father, to care about and be there for you. He also loves you enough to let you grow at times, safely in His arms, even if it hurts a little. So next time you find yourself complaining that something non-vital is missing from your life or you hit a minor speed bump, remember all the times God has taken care of you and trust that He is faithful and will continue to provide. Never be afraid to ask, but also trust and be thankful. 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 of the ways God has taken care of you and your loved ones? How can you remember to trust God when times get tough? What can you do in the good times to prepare you for that? What are some way you need to trust God more? What are some areas where you need to be more thankful? 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. "Thank you Lord." "Jesus, I trust in You." "You're a Good, Good Father." 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? Start making a list of your thanksgivings and things you need to trust God with. Set a goal of at least 5 things you are thankful for, and at least 5 things you need to trust Him more with. Then, try your best to be thankful for those things and trust. 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 Sean Norris, Youth Minister at Our Lady of the Wayside Parish in Arlington Heights, IL.
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