Lectio Divina with Fr. Lawrence
Psalm 95:8
Read
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
Meditation
The word “today” one of those words that we sometimes ignore when it appears in the Scriptures. However, it just may be one of the most important words we encounter. We are reminded that we should not cling to yesterday, and we should not worry about tomorrow. Yesterday is past, and there is nothing we can do to change it. In addition, no one is promised tomorrow. Today is all we can claim. Be alert to whatever God has to say to you today.
Prayer
Father, you sent your word made flesh in Jesus. Teach me to listen to him as you have told us that he is your most beloved son. If we are truly his sheep, we will recognize the voice of the shepherd.
Contemplation..
Daily Thought from the Saints
"Never will we understand the value of time better than when our last hour is at hand."
— St. Arnold Janssen
Daily Scripture Verse
"Make me understand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate on thy wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to thy word! Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me thy law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set thy ordinances before me. I cleave to thy testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of thy commandments when thou enlargest my understanding!"
Psalm 119:27-32
Daily Meditation
"'The Lord measures our perfection not by the number and greatness of the works we do for Him, but by our manner of doing them. And this manner is only the love of God with which, and for which, we do them. They are more perfect as they are done with more pure and perfect love, and as they are less mingled with the thoughts of pleasure or praise in this life or the other (St. John of the Cross).' When St. Bernard was assisting one night at Matins, he saw some angels who were carefully noting down the merit of each of the monks. The merit of those who were praying with much fervor, they set down in golden characters; of those with less fervor, in silver characters; of those with good will, but without affection, in ink; of those with sloth and drowsiness, in water; but as to those who were in mortal sin or voluntarily distracted, they wrote nothing, but, standing motionless, they lamented their blindness."
— Anonymous
Daily Catholic Wisdom
The only true freedom, the only freedom that can truly satisfy, is the freedom to do what we ought as human beings created by God according to his plan. It is the freedom to live the truth of what we are and who we are before God, the truth of our identity as children of God, as brothers and sisters in common humanity.
—Pope St. John Paul II
from his meeting with President Reagan on September 10, 1987
A Prayer from Notre Dame University
Rev. Herbert Yost, C.S.C.
Lord Jesus, would I feel a deep sense of loss if you were not part of my life? Let this question filter through our thoughts and actions this day. Help us to follow you more faithfully, the Lord of life. Amen.