Your Presence Lord

8/3/2017

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.

Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38

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).

How much easier would it be to follow the Lord if we still had the Ark of the Covenant that Moses made? The Lord would physically show His people where and when to go by coming and going as a cloud to earth. It would be easier to follow the Lord if He still came and went as a cloud to guide us, but we have something greater now.

God came to earth as a fully human and fully divine being in the person of Jesus Christ. Ever since He died and rose again, we have the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. When we receive the Eucharist, we become God’s dwelling place. We are actually filled with the glory of the Lord like the Ark in Moses’ time. Not even Moses was allowed into God’s dwelling, but now God is within us, sanctifying us and giving us all the graces we need. Today you can go into any Catholic Church and be in the presence of God as the Eucharist is reserved in the tabernacle. Anyone can bask in the glory and humility of Jesus in adoration when the Eucharist is exposed. We become living and breathing tabernacles, new arks of God’s presence, after each Mass. That’s a lot greater than it was for the Israelites.

We don’t have the presence of God as a cloud over the Ark to guide us where and when to go anymore, but we do have the Holy Spirit who is always present and always waiting for us to let Him take the lead. Imagine your life is you driving a car to get to your destination, Heaven. You’re driving through a city and know the destination and general direction you should be heading. The Holy Spirit is like the GPS. When we give up control and our own idea of what’s the best way to go, the Holy Spirit can guide us through the safest, surest, most enjoyable and joyful way to eternal life. He leads us in a life of following Christ to the Father in Heaven. On our own we take wrong turns, get lost, and even get into an accident or two. All of that can be avoided under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who brings to eternal life with our Heavenly Father.

We may long for obvious signs to tell us where God wants us to go, but we have greater guides than anything we could have imagined. We have and become the dwelling of the Lord in the Eucharist and we also have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us to where we need to go on our own individual paths to Heaven. The more open we are to God, the more clear your way on the journey will become. So open up the Holy Spirit, receive the Eucharist with an open heart, and go forth on your journey to Heaven.

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 do you see the Holy Spirit directing your life? Where has he led you?

What signs are you looking for or asking God for? Where do you need more direction in your life?

Are you open to the Holy Spirit and his movements in your life? Do you receive the Eucharist with an open heart, or are their parts of your heart that you keep closed off? How can you be more open to God?

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.

"Lead me, Lord."

"Come Holy Spirit."

"You are present, Lord."

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?

Go and experience the beauty of the Lord in the Eucharist, whether at Mass or in Adoration.

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 student at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

CARPE VERBUM