Word of Life

12/27/2018

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.

1 John 1:1-4

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).

The Christmas songs may all be off the radio by now, but the Christmas Season continues! Today is the feast of St. John the Apostle and today’s reading (which he wrote) helps us to continue to understand and appreciate the significance of Christmas.

The Word, who was in the beginning with God and is God, became man. St. John begins his gospel with this fact, and in this reading, he points out that this Word is the Word of LIFE. God became man and came to us as a little baby. Through Him, God was made visible and tangible. His words, which we can find in the Gospels, show us the way to eternal life and that life was made available to all people through His death and resurrection. This mission of giving us life and fully revealing the love of the Father all started in a stable in Bethlehem. God rested His head in a manger with His mother and adopted father lovingly looking after Him.

We can now have fellowship with God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, because of Christmas. The three persons of the Trinity want a personal relationship with you, the Son came to show you how. Read and pray with the words of Jesus in the Gospels and do the same with the Epistles and books of the Old Testament. God revealed Himself in bodily form thousands of years ago, now He reveals Himself through the Scriptures and in the liturgy.

You can still see and hear the Word of Life each and every day. At Mass, the Word of God is proclaimed through the reading(s), the responsorial Psalm, and the Gospel. In the setting of the liturgy, you enter into the words of Scripture and God makes Himself present through them. Then, Christ is made tangible and visible again through the consecration of the Eucharist. Not only do you see Him, but you physically receive the Word of Life. You become uniquely conformed to the Body of Jesus.

The Word of Life came to man 2018 years ago, but He is still very present to you now. Continue to celebrate the Christmas Season by receiving Him into your heart through a prayerful reading or listening of Scripture and by receiving Him physically in the Sacrament of the Eucharist so that your joy may be complete.

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.

How are you continuing to celebrate Christmas through this liturgical season?

Are you receiving the Word of Life into your heart? Is there something in your way of complete openness to Him?

How will you share the message of Christmas with someone today?

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.

"Come Lord Jesus."

"Thank you for your love."

"Help me receive 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?

Continue to live in the season of Christmas. Don't put Christmas behind you just because the holiday has past, but actively open your heart to the Good News of the Word of God and grow deeper in your relationship with Him.

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 Mary Griffin, a graduate student of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

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