*The 30 Day Prayer Challenge is hosted by
Real Life Rosary. During these 30 days we are using the book
4 Simple Steps to Better Meditations to dive deeper into reading the daily scriptures. Please click any of links for more information. Join our
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Feast of St. Lawrence of Brindisi
Step #1 - Clear the Mind.
No distractions to speak of this morning. Thank you, Lord!
Step #2 - Read the Scriptures
Today's readings can be found here. The 1st half of the 1st reading was very comforting but the 2nd half was convicting. The Gospel gave me an initial feeling of pity for those who do not see or hear the word of God in their life. That quickly changed...
Step #3 - Join the Story
As I listened to the words of Jesus, a sense of pride entered my heart. His words stirred me with pity for the "others", for those who do not see or hear him. I felt bad for those people who come here to listen to him simply for entertainment...or bread. As I looked around the crowd, I began to judge or at least guess who might not be "getting it." My pride made me feel superior to the "others" because I was clearly one of those who hears and sees.
Then I thought, "isn't this exactly the problem or issue God has against his people in the First Reading?" God's people were clearly chosen, but not to be set apart from the world as other or better. Rather, they, and I, are set apart to be light and truth. Their pride turned their eyes upon themselves and their ears to their own words. They became deaf and blind to the will of God.
I quickly realized how easily I too become deaf and blind. My pride in thinking that I have all of the answers blinds me to God's answers. It makes me deaf to his word. In this blindness and with this lack of hearing I look at God's will but do not see, I listen to his word but do not hear.
However, this is not an excuse for despair but a grace to seek humility and an encouragement to be more open to God. In fact, I laughed a bit at myself for being so foolish as to think I have perfect vision and excellent hearing. Lord, give me glasses and hearing aides so I can love you more!
Step #4 - Talk/Listen to God
Dear Lord, give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand. Help me to be more humble. Give me the grace to read your word each day as though it were for the first time. Open my heart and let your word and your grace penetrate my heart and change me more and more into the image and likeness of your Son.
Step #5 - Bonus Step - Thanksgiving
Dear Lord, thank you for this time of prayer and meditation. Thank you for another day to know you, to love you, and to serve you. Thank you for all of the people joining us during these 30 days. Help us all to grow in our love for you and one another! Open our eyes and ears!
Today is Thursday, I would encourage you to pray the Luminous
Mysteries of the Rosary. Here are the
Luminous Mysteries of Work.
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