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). What is your calling in life? This is a question many of us have been asked (by others and ourselves) throughout our life. But does it ever feel like this calling keeps changing? “My vocation is to love.” This is one of my favorite quotes from St. Therese of Lisieux because she puts what many of us are searching for into “simple” terms. When we are young, a big question in terms of what we are called to revolves around our big “V” Vocation: married life, single life, or religious life. For me personally, I feel I am being called to the married life, although I am still living out the single life. Just because you haven’t entered into you Vocation, does not mean that God is not calling you to little “v” vocations: school, career, hobbies, volunteering, etc. A lot of times I feel like Samuel in the first reading today when he goes to Eli and says “Here I am. You called me.” I think I hear a calling and I go to my first instinct, which many times is not what I should do or where I am actually being called. The key to this reading is the last part. Samuel does not realize it is the Lord calling him, so he wakes and runs to Eli. But when Eli realizes what is happening, he knows Samuel needs to be still and listen to what God is saying to him. This is where I need to be better at: saying “speak, for your servant is listening.” How often in prayer do I really listen to what God is trying to say to me? If I’m honest, most of the time my prayer is me gushing out my life and my feelings to God. Although God loves this and wants to hear about our lives, He also wants us to stop and focus on what He has to say to us. Listening is hard, especially when we can’t physically see or hear God. Yes Jesus is physically present in the Eucharist and adoration, but it’s not the same as talking to a human person. There are many ways of listening to God speak to us: reading scripture, talking to friends, listening to podcasts, reading blogs, etc. But for me the key in being about to listen to God speak to me is through silence. Silence is very hard these days when I can listen to music or a podcast when I drive and get ready and then watch Netflix anytime I want. It’s hard to quiet my mind and make room for God in my brain, but it is so important. Whether or not you are contemplating the big questions in life, the little life questions, or even just wondering how you are called to love today, listening to God is important. So my challenge is to sit down away from the distractions of school/work, your family, social media, or any other noise, and say to the Lord: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Then be silent. It’s hard, I know, but the more you do this the better you understand God’s calling in your daily life. Start with 5 minutes and go from there. The Lord is calling you. Are you ready to listen? 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. How often do you listen to the Lord? How can you listen to Him today? The Lord is calling you. What is He calling you to today? Our world is so noisy. How can you make sure that you are hearing the Lord? 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. “Speak, for your servant is listening.” "Here I am Lord." "I want to do your will." 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? Turn off the TV, put your phone in another room, and spend 10 minutes today in silence with our Lord. What is He calling you to? 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 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.
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