Author Archives: Holy See

Lectio

Passage: Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry. Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God. For to thee will I pray: O Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear my voice. In the morning I will stand before thee, and will see: because thou art not a God that willest iniquity. Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee: nor shall the unjust abide before thy eyes. Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity: Thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie. The bloody and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor. But as for me in the multitude of thy mercy, I will come into thy house; I will worship towards thy holy temple, in thy fear. (Psalm 5:2-8, Douay-Rheims)

Meditatio

• God’s Attention to Prayer: Meditate on David’s plea for God to hear and understand his cry. Meditate on the assurance that the Lord, as our King and God, is attentive to our prayers.
• Morning Devotion: Think about the significance of seeking God in the morning, starting the day with prayer and placing trust in His guidance.
• God’s Holiness and Justice: Meditate on the nature of God who does not wish for iniquity to exist and will not tolerate wickedness. Reflect on His absolute holiness and justice.
• Rejection of Evil: Ponder the strong stance God takes against iniquity, lies, and deceit. Reflect on how this calls us to live truthfully and righteously in His law.
• Mercy and Worship: Meditate on David’s commitment to come into God’s house and worship Him in fear, relying on God’s mercy. Reflect on the balance of reverence and trust in God’s loving-kindness.

Oratio

O Lord, hear my words and understand my cry as I come before Thee in prayer. Truly, Thou art my King and my God, and I trust in Thy attentive ear. Each morning, I shall seek Thee, knowing that Thou art a God who detests iniquity and cannot dwell with wickedness. Help me to live in truth and righteousness, avoiding deceit and malice. In the multitude of Thy mercy, O Lord, I come to Thy house to worship and revere Thee. Guide me in Thy ways and keep me close unto Thee, for Thou art my refuge and my strength. Amen.

Contemplatio

Contemplate the image of starting each day with prayer, placing your trust and petitions before God. Feel the peace and assurance that comes from knowing that God hears you and understands your cry. Rest in the knowledge of the Lord’s holiness and justice, and His steadfast mercy that invites you to worship Him with reverence and love.

Actio

• Morning Prayer: Commit to starting each day with prayer, dedicating your morning to seeking God’s guidance and presence.
• Living Righteously: Examine your life for any areas of deceit or iniquity and make a conscious effort to live truthfully and righteously.
• Worship with Reverence: Make a regular practice of worshipping God with a sense of awe and reverence, acknowledging His holiness and mercy.
• Trust in God’s Mercy: In moments of distress or uncertainty, remember to lean on God’s mercy and come before Him in prayer, trusting in His understanding and care.

Lectio

Passage: When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying? Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him. Be angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds. Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: many say, Who sheweth us good things? The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart. By the fruit of their corn, their wine and oil, they are multiplied. In peace in the selfsame I will sleep, and I will rest: For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope. (Psalm 4) (more…)

Lectio

Passage: Why, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? many are they who rise up against me. Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God. But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head. I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill. I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me. I will not fear thousands of the people, surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my God. For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners. Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people. (Psalm 3) (more…)

Lectio

Read the passage attentively and carefully.

Passage: Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence. But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper. Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth. Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just. For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish. (Psalm 1) (more…)

Lectio

Passage: “My brethren, be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:
Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 2:8-10;3:10-12) (more…)

Today’s Lectio Divina is for Luke 18:9-14. This is the same for 28 July 2024.

Lectio Divina for 28 July 2024

Lectio

Passage: “Now it came to pass, as they went, that Jesus entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary. who, sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? Speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and art troubled about many things: But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Saint Luke 10:38-42) (more…)

Lectio

Read the passage carefully and attentively.

Passage: “To some who trusted in themselves as just and despised others, Jesus spoke this parable: Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (St. Luke 18:9-14) (more…)

Today’s Lectio Divina is the same from 6 July 2024.

Lectio Divina for 6 July 2024