Lectio Divina with Fr. Lawrence
I Kings 19:11-12
Reading
Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.
Meditation
A strong wind, earthquake, fire, and a light, silent sound – while all of these natural phenomena are manifestations of God’s presence, God is not actually present in them. They point to the presence of God in all of creation. St. Bonaventure tells us that nature is full of vestiges, footprints if you will, of God. Such signs within nature lead us to God’s presence.
Prayer
Omnipresent God, with the psalmist I pray, “I long to see your face.” As you manifest yourself in all of creation, help me to follow you so that I may see you in the land of the living.
Contemplation,,,
Daily Thought from the Saints
"Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if He wants anything of you, He will fit you for the work and give you strength."
— St. Philip Neri
Daily Scripture Verse
"After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.""
Revelation 7:9-10
Daily Meditation
"Like a child who fears no danger in his father's protecting arms, we must cast ourselves into the arms of our Heavenly Father, confident that those Hands which sustain the heavens are all powerful to supply our necessities, to uphold us in temptation, and to turn all things to our profit. And why should we not have confidence in God? Is He not the most powerful as well as the most tender of fathers? ... Do not dwell upon your unworthiness or your failings, but raise your eyes to God and consider the infinite goodness and mercy with which He deigns to apply a remedy to all our miseries. Reflect upon the truth of His words, for He has promised to help and comfort all who humbly and confidently invoke His sacred name. Consider also the innumerable benefits which you have hitherto received from His paternal hand, and let His bounty in the past inspire you to trust the future to Him with renewed hope. Above all, consider the merits and sufferings of Christ, which are our principal title to God's grace and mercy, and which form the treasure whence the Church supplies the necessities of her children. It was from a confidence inspired by such motives that the saints drew that strength which rendered them as firm as Mount Sion, and established them in the holy city whence they never could be moved. (Cf. Ps.124:1)."
— Venerable Louis of Grenada
Daily Catholic Wisdom
It is plainly evident that there is no one in the world who will not receive all kinds of heavenly blessings if they have a true love of Jesus Christ manifested by a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
—St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
A Prayer from Notre Dame University
Rev. Thomas O’Hara, C.S.C.
Dear Lord, you remind us that it is not just our actions, but our attitudes and thoughts that can lead us astray. Be with us this day; send your peace into our hearts and minds so that throughout this day we are ever more aware of your gentle and loving presence in our lives. For we know our awareness of your presence within us keeps us from those thoughts, actions and attitudes that can too easily lead us astray. We pray this to you, Our God, forever and ever. Amen.