Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 | Psalm 78:3-4, 23-25, 54 | Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 | John 6:24-35
Exploring the Mystery of the Eucharist
"In the Eucharist, Christ is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1374). Entering into the mystery of the Eucharist, we encounter the enduring truth of Christ's Real Presence—a sacred cornerstone of our faith throughout history. As St. Augustine expressed in Confessions (7.10.18), "Christ bore Himself in His hands when He gave His body to be eaten." The Eucharist is not merely symbolic but a miraculous encounter where Jesus becomes present—body, blood, soul, and divinity. St. Ignatius of Antioch described it as the "medicine of immortality," nourishing us to share in the life of Christ (Letter to the Ephesians, 20:2).
This profound truth calls us to explore the transformative power of encountering Christ in the sacrament that sustains our faith journey. Just as the Israelites in Exodus were provided with manna as food for their journey from slavery to freedom and towards the promised land, the Eucharist serves as our spiritual sustenance for the pilgrimage of faith. As St. Thomas Aquinas teaches, "The Eucharist is transformative, changing us into the likeness of Christ" (Summa Theologiae, III, q. 73, a. 3). Believing in the Real Presence calls us to both understand and live out this profound truth: spiritual and mental preparation is essential to encounter Christ in the Eucharist fully. Through prayer, reflection on Scripture, and the Eucharist, we open ourselves to receive the grace and presence of Christ more deeply.
How does encountering Christ in the Eucharist transform your understanding of His presence in your daily life?
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Kings 4:42-44 | Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18 | Ephesians 4:1-6 | John 6:1-15
“One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people recline.’” -John 6:9-10
Are you strong enough to be weak?
The reality of our lives is that we live in a world of logistics. Food costs money, and people need to be fed to live. The Lord does not condemn us for considering these worldly calculations, but instead invites us to also remember that His power reigns above our human logic and limitations.
When faced with feeding the 5,000, both Phillip and Andrew have no idea how the task will be accomplished. Yet the difference was that Andrew, even in his confusion and doubt, still brought to Jesus what was available: a seemingly insignificant five loaves and two fish. Like Andrew, the Lord invites us as well to be honest with our doubt and the things we may lack, yet still in faith, bring everything to Him.
When we bring our crumbs to the Lord, He does not ask us to provide for ourselves. On the contrary, Jesus asked the crowd in this story to have a posture of receptivity, saying “Have the people recline” (John 6:10). It does not say that Jesus gave food to the most deserving, or those who worked the hardest that day. Instead, John again states that Jesus fed “those who were reclining” (John 6:11). The Lord does not ask us to fix our own emptiness. He simply asks us to come to Him in honesty, to give Him what we have, no matter how insignificant it may seem, and simply receive His abundance.
In the first reading, Elisha multiplies ten barley loaves to feed a crowd of 100. Then in the Gospel, Jesus feeds 5,000 men with only five loaves. The disciples were well-accustomed with the Old Testament, so they knew well the story of Elisha, and yet, they doubted. We all forget how the Lord has provided for us in the past. Take a moment to recall ways that the Lord has provided for you in your emptiness.
What are the crumbs in your life that Jesus may be asking you to give Him in faith today? (i.e. your time, money, energy, mental health, talents)
What would it look like to have a posture ready to receive in that area of your life?
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 23:1-6 | Psalm 23:1-6 | Ephesians 2:13-18 | Mark 6:30-24
Are you strong enough to be weak?
Today’s readings speak of rest and intentionality. Jesus wants to bring His disciples to a place where they can rest after their ministry, but He also sees the need and desire for Him in the crowds that follow them. He sees the good in rest, but also the good in serving those in need. He chooses to listen to His heart as it is “moved with pity” for those around Him.
If we want to follow in Christ’s footsteps, it requires that we not let our hearts become stony. We need hearts of flesh that can be pierced and moved for the people we encounter. Rest is good, but if we find ourselves rushing to get to that place, we might miss someone in front of us who might need what we have.
Maybe we’re exhausted, grasping for a peace we can’t seem to reach. Take heart. Your empathy is never wasted. The Lord promises us His rest in the Psalms, and St. Paul promises in his letter to the Ephesians that God “is our peace.” When we allow ourselves to follow Him in trust, God won’t be outdone in generosity. Trust in His call to serve those around you and believe in His promise for peace and rest.
What is one way you can slow down to notice the needs of those around you this week?
Where do you turn when you feel overwhelmed?
Have you ever asked God for His strength to serve others? Practice calling on the Holy Spirit with a simple “Come, Holy Spirit” prayer to ask Him for His grace
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts.” ~ Mark 6:8
Are you strong enough to be weak?
In our world, we often celebrate strength and success—whether in sports, business, or achievements that stand out as extraordinary. Yet, in the eyes of God, true strength often emerges from embracing our weaknesses and limitations.
Scripture teaches us that God's power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we humbly acknowledge our vulnerabilities and resist the urge to rely solely on ourselves, we create space for God's transformative power to work through us.
Consider the prophet Amos, a humble shepherd and dresser of sycamores, whom God called to deliver His message despite his modest background. Reflect on Jesus sending out His disciples with minimal provisions, teaching them to rely completely on God's providence. These examples demonstrate that true strength is found in humble obedience and trust in God's plan.
Today, we can follow their example by embracing small acts of sacrifice—such as fasting, praying the Rosary, or offering penances for others. These actions may seem insignificant in the world's eyes but hold profound spiritual significance in God's kingdom.
Let God be God. His strength is all we need.
Reflection Questions:
How do I struggle with relying on my own strength rather than God's grace?
Where have I experienced God's provision and strength despite my weaknesses?
How can I embrace humility and sacrificial love in the week ahead, trusting in God's transformative power?
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Are you strong enough to be weak?
The Savior, the all-powerful King of the world, came into the world powerless, as an infant and the son of a poor family (Mark 6:3), and left the world powerless on the cross when He was nailed to it.
Our pride tells us that we have to be strong all the time, that our thorns and faults are what keep us from attaining intimacy with Jesus. Paul begs that the thorn be removed from his side, but Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). It is precisely in our weakness and powerlessness that God desires to dwell. Why?
Jesus profits from our faults because they empty us; so much so that Grace has to be infused. It becomes no longer our strength but Jesus’ strength. Our thorns keep us small, cleansing us from self-sufficiency and remind us of our continuous need for Jesus. So, we don’t have to hide from him but rather turn to him and allow him to meet us in our brokenness.
Spend some time praying the Litany of Powerlessness
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, we read the story of the hemorrhaging woman, who had sought healing in the world for 12 long years. It was not until she, in faith, reached out to touch the cloak of Jesus that she received what she had been searching for all along.
As humans, we are both body and soul, and because of this, we experience God through our physical senses. In God’s goodness, He became Emmanuel, “God with us,” so that He could enter into our physical reality and dwell with us on earth.
He not only gave of himself through Jesus over 2,000 years ago, but continues to give of Himself in a very real, and physical way through the Sacraments. He longs to heal us, like He healed the hemorrhaging woman, through the graces He pours out in the Eucharist and confession.
The Lord desires to encounter you in your physical, daily reality, and through that, bring an even greater healing: eternal life. The hemorrhaging woman received radical healing in her body, but the true gift was a personal encounter with Jesus that would change her life forever.
How have you experienced healing through the Sacraments, big or small?
What are the obstacles currently keeping you from reaching out to Jesus through confession and the Eucharist, and how can you overcome them this week?
In what way do you desire for Jesus to heal you this week?
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings speak to the uncertainty that comes with the storms in our lives. When we experience a chaotic or emotional time in our lives, it can be difficult to find God or see what He is doing in the midst of it all. It’s too easy to get lost in the fear of the unknown or to come to expect the worst of our own circumstances.
When we look to the disciples in today’s Gospel, they also cry out to Jesus in the middle of a violent storm at sea and demand of Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” They allow fear to triumph over their faith in Him—these people who have seen Jesus perform miracles up close, who have gotten to know Him as their closest friend, who have every reason to trust Him. So, He calms the storm and asks them “Do you not yet have faith?”
Jesus wants to calm the storms in our hearts. Maybe it’s time to cry out to Him in faith to give you peace in your daily life. Take the time to find Him in prayer and let Him give you His peace.
What are the “storms” in your life? Take time to identify the things in your life that are taking away your peace.
What is an area of your life where you need an increase in faith?
Pray the Litany of Trust sometime this week and offer God your worries and fears.
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Have you ever had an encounter with someone who challenged your faith? Perhaps it was a polite discourse sparked by genuine curiosity. Or maybe it wasn’t so friendly, and someone made you feel foolish for being a Christian. It’s very possible that you yourself have asked questions. So much of our faith seems totally unbelievable… so why do we believe it?
The truth is that our faith is pretty unbelievable. It so surpasses the capabilities of our human intellect to fathom that, as in today’s Gospel, Jesus can only reveal it to us through parable and comparison. This makes the faith deeply personal, because each of us receives the faith in a way that is totally unique. In a way, we believe the faith because we cannot totally understand it, because we know that anything we can say or understand about the faith cannot properly express the joy that awaits us in eternity.
While our faith is deeply personal, we cannot grow it alone. Just as God is a communion of persons, our faith must be lived out in communion with each other. We must also always remember that faith itself is a gift. God freely gave us this gift so that we might come to know Him. And Jesus also gave us the Church so that, through its sacraments and communion, we might have the best means of living out that faith as One Body of Christ and experience the kingdom of heaven on Earth. Let us give thanks to God, as is “our duty and our salvation,” for these salvific gifts.
What Saint or Church writing can I study to expand my knowledge of my own faith?
Who is someone in my life with whom God might be calling me to live out my faith in communion?
Do I thank God for the gift of faith and the gift of the Church every day?
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Division and separation are the fruits of our sin and our grasping to do life “our way,” but God is always charting a course for our reunion with Him.
“Who told you that you were naked?” (Gen. 3:11) — In what tone do we hear these words of God to Adam and Eve from our first reading this Sunday? Is He a rageful father speaking angrily in judgment? Or is He speaking gently as a dad with a broken heart, knowing the consequences that will ensue? This insight can reveal to ourselves how we conceptualize God the Father.
“With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption” (Psalm 130), and thanks be to God for His patience and compassion. He is not a father who abandons us, but always desires to bring us back into union with Him. God does not tire of forgiving us, and He doesn’t cut us off after one mistake. He wants to receive us back into communion with Him.
In our Gospel, Jesus notes, “if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand” (Mark 3:25). There are abundant “tribes,” factions, and silos we can belong to today, but we are called to be united in the Church, the Body of Christ. There is plenty of room for differences of opinion and interests, and variety in expressions and cultures, but we are called to be one through our Baptism and to show mercy to others as we have been given great mercy by God.
How would I describe the voice of God the Father in the Genesis account? How do I hear him?
Name a time when you received forgiveness from another person. Who might God be calling you to forgive today?
Where am I tempted to put my identity into other interests (political parties, hobbies, etc) rather than as a baptized member of Christ’s Body, the Church?
Corpus Christi Sunday
Three Tips for Falling in Love with the Eucharist
Attend Mass and Receive the Eucharist Regularly
Saint John Vianney emphasized the importance of regular Mass attendance and receiving the Eucharist, stating, "There is nothing greater than the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us." Attending Mass isn't solely an obligation; it’s an opportunity to encounter love profoundly. Approach Jesus with an open heart, ready to receive His love and grace.
Embrace Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
Saint Teresa of Calcutta emphasized spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. She said, "When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now." Make it a priority to spend dedicated time each week in Eucharistic adoration. Our perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open to you 24/7, where you can spend time with Jesus!
Get to Know Jesus in the Word
Reflect on Mark 14:22-24, where Jesus institutes the Eucharist during the Last Supper, a Passover meal. Consider the significance of His words, "Take; this is my body" and "This is my blood of the covenant." As you participate in Mass and witness the consecration, meditate on the mystery of these words and the transformation they signify. Let the reality of Christ's presence in the Eucharist deepen your faith and understanding of His love for you, drawing you into deeper intimacy with Him.
Sit with these tips, let these practices transform your life, and draw you closer to the heart of Jesus in the Eucharist!
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
The Trinity is the supreme mystery of our one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. By definition, the term "mystery" means that this fact of faith is truly beyond our limited comprehension and had to be divinely revealed to us through Jesus Christ.
One of the early heresies (false teachings) against the Trinity was Arianism, named after the preacher Arius in the 4th century. Arianism taught that God the Son was not consubstantial with God the Father but instead created by God and thus not eternal. Arius famously stated, "There was a time when the Son was not." Echoes of Arianism are heard today when people argue that Jesus was simply a "good teacher" and not God himself. Arianism was appealing because it attempted to make the concept of the Trinity more rational and understandable. However, this teaching undermined Christ’s redemptive triumph over death and diminished the reverence due to the mystery of God.
We proudly declare that Jesus is “begotten, not made” in our Creed, affirming that in the mystery of the Trinity, Jesus is one with the Father and truly God. Jesus redeems our humanity, not as a mere mortal but as one who shares the same substance and essence of the Father and the Spirit. As co-heirs with Christ, we are called to go forth and preach the Good News!
Which member(s) of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) am I comfortable addressing in prayer? Which member do I engage with the least?
How might God be calling me to “overflow” in love this week?
Pentecost Sunday
In Pentecost, we see the fruits of the Holy Spirit in action. Initially fearful and uncertain about the future without their King, the Apostles invoked the Holy Spirit, resulting in boldness, unity, and harmony. The Holy Spirit kindled a divine passion within them, freeing them from fear and discord, leading to a renewal of heart and mind.
St. John Paul II reminds us that Pentecost is an ongoing reality in our lives. The Christian journey is a continual battle against worldly temptations while surrendering to the Holy Spirit's guidance. By invoking the Holy Spirit and yielding to His direction, we experience the same liberation that empowered the Apostles to carry on Jesus’ mission. This freedom manifests in the fruits of the Holy Spirit, bestowed upon us in Confirmation, empowering us to reject fear, resist worldly desires, and proclaim God's faithfulness wherever we go.
Which fruits of the Holy Spirit to you believe the Lord desires for you to use and grow in?
How can you use fruits of the Holy Spirit to build the kingdom of God here on earth?
How can you make Pentecost an ongoing reality in your daily life?
Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord
Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”
~Mark 16:15
What is Evangelization?
Evangelization is the proclamation of Christ and his Gospel by word and the testimony of life, in fulfillment of Christ's command. Romans 6:23 highlights why we evangelize: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
How to Share Your Faith Effectively:
There are many ways to share your faith effectively. Here is a simple structure on how you can do it!
Tell Your Story
Before Christ: Think about your life before you knew Christ or had a significant change. Share the challenges you faced.
How Christ Helped: Share specific moments where Christ's love or guidance made a difference in your life.
After Encounter: Talk about the positive changes you've experienced since knowing Christ.
Practice and Be Prepared
Create short and detailed versions of your story for different situations.
Practice sharing your story so you're ready for any conversation.
Share with Others
Share your story with at least one person every week. Pray for opportunities to talk about your faith.
Remember, sharing your faith doesn't have to be complicated. Just be yourself and share how Christ has made a difference in your life!
Sixth Sunday of Easter
"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” ~ John 15:11-12
When we are growing up, rules set by our parents may not have always made sense. In fact, a simple “because I said so” may have been the response after asking the “why” behind a household rule. Yet in today’s Gospel, Jesus reveals the “why” to us behind His commandment of love: “so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete” (John 15:11).
The Lord, the Creator of our hearts, knows exactly what we need to feel fully alive. He invites us to love in a deep and sacrificial way, not because He wants us to be miserable, but on the contrary, because He wants us to experience the joy of being who we were made to be.
The more we accept this high call to love like Christ by “[laying] down one’s life for one’s friends,” the more we can experience true freedom from our own selfishness, pride, and sin (John 15:13). The Lord so desperately desires to free us from the slavery of sin, and to give us abounding joy which can only be found in perfect love.
When was a time you chose to love, and because of that, felt increased joy?
When was a time someone showed you Christ’s sacrificial love?
Who is one person in your life (a family member, coworker, neighbor, friend) that the Lord may be inviting you to love more intentionally this week?
Fifth Sunday of Easter
In today’s Gospel, Jesus urges us to remain in Him, even going so far as to say that without Him, we 'can do nothing.' When Saul experiences his conversion and becomes St. Paul as we know him, he wants to join the disciples because he knows the importance of belonging to a Christian community and becoming part of the Body of Christ. However, they fear and avoid him due to his previous persecution of early Christians. The testimony of Barnabas allows St. Paul to join the community he longs for in order to remain in Christ. He speaks out 'boldly in the name of the Lord,' sharing his story and speaking to others about how Jesus transformed his life. Lastly, he perseveres through desolation, both from the early disciples' fear of him and persecution from those who would have him killed for his faith. In each of these ways, St. Paul shows us what it looks like to remain in the Lord.
Even in the midst of turmoil, the early Church is at peace because its disciples know how to remain in Christ. They receive the consolation of the Spirit and stand rooted in the solid ground of their faith. They know that to bear good fruit, they need to belong to Jesus, our 'true vine,' and remain in Him. He asks us to trust that when He makes a promise, He will see it through, sustaining us every step of the way. Maybe that won’t look like what we imagine it might, but He is always faithful, and He is still good.
Do you have a community rooted in the Church? If not, what are some steps you can take to find connection in the Body of Christ?
If you had to tell someone about how God has moved in your life, what would you tell them?
What would it look like for you to turn to the Lord in a difficult season?
Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Lord is always leading us as a good shepherd leads his flock. We are completely and intimately known by Jesus, who continues to love and protect us even in our messiness. We are worth the Savior laying down His life for us. Out of sheer generosity and mercy, He has brought us out of darkness and into His one flock – the flock of the children of God.
And because we are children of God through our baptism, we share in the identity of Jesus Himself, including His identity as shepherd. We are shepherded by the Lord so that we can go out and be shepherds to others. Our lives as Christians can have a profound influence on the people around us. We have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. We are fed with the very Body and Blood of Jesus every time we go to Mass. Our lives should be radiating the love of Christ at every single moment, leading and shepherding others deeper into a relationship with Jesus Christ, the one Good Shepherd.
How can you allow Jesus to provide for you this week? Will you trust Him to provide?
Who is one person that you can intentionally shepherd closer to God this week? How is God calling you to do that?
Third Sunday of Easter
“…God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer. Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” – Acts of the Apostles 3:18-19
Imagine the scene: the disciples, still suffering such deep heartache at the horrific loss of their master and friend, suddenly see the glorified body of Jesus standing before them. Understandably, they are in awe, terrified, and speechless. What could this mean? Their minds must have been racing with a mix of excitement, confusion, and fear. And in this critical moment, Jesus’ response to their stunned silence is… “Have you anything to eat?” It almost feels like a comical anti-climax. So why does our Lord say this?
Despite Jesus’ invitation to touch him and understand that He is physically, bodily present to them, the disciples are still amazed at the sight of him, perhaps still unsure what to believe. Jesus asks for food to emphasize that He has a true human body. What an amazing relationship we have with our Lord, who desires such union with us that he has felt how it feels to be hungry! Christ then declares that the disciples are all witnesses of the Resurrection. Peter reiterates this fact in today’s first reading.
Two thousand years later, we too are witnesses of the Resurrection. We encounter and unite ourselves to Jesus every time we receive the Eucharist at Mass, where He makes Himself physically present to us. In this sacrament, our own hunger is satisfied by Jesus’ very flesh. This special bodily union with Christ requires also that we live a life of integrity. When we sin, we undergo a spiritual death, but Jesus offers us a resurrection, a forgiveness of our sins, if we repent and strive to sin no more in the hope of someday attaining perfect union with God.
How can I make an extra effort to be bodily present to Jesus (e.g. Daily Mass, spending time in prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament)?
Are there any ways that Jesus is inviting me to take better care of my body so that I can recognize it as a gift and a reflection of Christ?
What Corporal Works of Mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead) can I practice?
Divine Mercy Sunday
“For whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.” ~ 1 John 5:4
Today we encounter the story of Thomas, one of Jesus' apostles, who embodies a very human reality. Perhaps we see ourselves as Thomas, a pilgrim who follows Christ yet doubts that He will provide and protect. However, it was in touching the wounds of Christ that healed his fear and insecurities. Thomas came back to the Lord in belief and allowed Jesus to heal his wounds.
Why did Jesus allow Thomas to be the only apostle not present when He first appeared to the others? Jesus had to let Thomas encounter Him through wounds to be transformed. In acknowledging the reality of his human weakness and littleness, Thomas grasped the true identity of the man he had followed for so long, proclaiming, “My Lord and my God.”
The Psalm today says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.” Can we still exclaim this as we encounter our own wounds, littleness, and doubts? The beauty lies in Jesus using His wounds to draw us closer to Him, patiently allowing us to recognize that our human wounds and littleness is where He meets us. That is why He is good. He invites us into the glory of woundedness; that there is no sin or doubt more powerful than God’s love.
Do I let my own doubts and fears keep me from entering into intimacy with Jesus?
How has the Lord been good amidst any suffering and tragedy that you have experienced?
How can you embrace the truth that it is in our wounds that God's love is most powerful and transformative?
Easter Sunday
“He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” ~ Acts of the Apostles 10:42-43
Alleluia! Christ is risen! What incredible and startling news that the disciples must process: Jesus is alive! After such a horrible and traumatic death, and entering the darkness of hell itself, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead declares that Christ is the true Lord of the universe. “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55).
Our first reading highlights Peter’s triumphant sermon, celebrating that God “shows no partiality” but has invited all—Gentile and Jew alike—into the family of God. By our Baptism, we are all called to pass on this Good News to everyone we encounter. In our Gospel, we hear how Mary Magdalene, a disciple who herself was freed of demonic possession (Luke 8:2), is startled by the empty tomb, and Peter and John must see it with their own eyes. In time they would understand that Jesus was truly the Messiah who came not to overthrow mere political powers but the dominion of sin itself.
Death is truly not the end. This changes everything.
Our faith is no mere legend, fairy tale, or story in a galaxy “far, far away.” The death and Resurrection of Christ happened in history 2000 year ago, and his followers were willing to go to their deaths declaring this truth. So let’s feast and rejoice today because this truly the Good News: Jesus is alive!
After 40 days of Lent, how can I now set my eyes on celebrating the joy of Christ this Easter Season?
In what parts of my life (wounds, family ties, or habitual sins) does the Lord want to resurrect and breathe new life into?
How can our family share this joy of the Lord with others?
Palm Sunday
Lectio Divina, meaning "Divine Reading" in Latin, unfolds as a prayerful encounter with Scripture. Dive into a chosen piece of the Passion, engaging in meditation, prayer, and contemplation to discern the Lord's movement in your life. Progressing through the stages of reading (lectio), meditation (meditatio), prayer (oratio), and contemplation (contemplatio), this guide accompanies you into the Passion narrative.
Prepare yourself: Take a few moments to still your heart, find comfort, and become aware of God's presence. Accompany this with a simple prayer, welcoming the Holy Spirit. (Consider deep breaths with the prayer "Come, Holy Spirit.")
Lectio (Read): Read the Gospel passage three times, inviting the Lord to tug on your heart. In each reading, allow the Holy Spirit to unveil thoughts, ideas or feelings.
Meditatio (Meditate): Notice what stands out to you—a particular image, phrase, or word. Focus on it, meditating on what God might be revealing. Reflect on the depth of Jesus' sacrifice, the betrayals, and the profound love expressed in this narrative.
Oratio (Pray): Engage in a conversation with God. Ask Him to reveal what He wants you to take from the passage. This may lead to gratitude, seeking forgiveness, peace, or other emotions -- simply share your heart with God.
Contemplatio (Contemplate): Rest in God's presence. Be mindful of His companionship. Listen for His voice. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your contemplation, deepening your understanding of God's love and the transformative power of the cross.