Lectio Divina

Come, Holy Spirit, fill my mind with Your light so that I can understand the true meaning of Your Word.

Take full control of my scattered five senses, quieting each of them so that your divine grace may strengthen what is weak in me.

 

(Pause and then continue with Lectio).

 

Silence

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance  and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17: 11-19)

 

Silence

 

What is the sacred word or concept... or a phrase that comes to your mind now after reading the text? The phrase that leaps out, catching my attention is: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us;.

 

2. Meditatio (Rejoice and Reflect)

I re-read the text, meditate on the impediments that negatively worked against the healing of the lepers and review my self-imposed barriers as well.

 

Jesus, Master, have mercy on me.

- I imagine the 10 lepers meeting Jesus. I contemplate their anguish, fear, and pain.  I imagine their complex experience of inferiority, discrimination, stress, and frustrated hope for a miracle that may bring relief from their suffering and all other physical, logistic, and financial impediments they had.

 

-  Geographical impediments: where did they meet Jesus? I imagine the location where this sacred encounter took place.

In a village:  denotes an idea of unwalled settlement (history). The encounter happened in a village near Samaria: a kind of hostile environment at that time. Nothing was going well with the 10 lepers.

 

-  I went back in my past: I reckoned in my mind the various moments whereby I was assailed by confusion. When windows of opportunities appeared to be closed for me.

 

Jesus, Master, have mercy on me.

-     For the many times I prayed and even shouted out my anguish to God to heal my grandmother from cancer.

-  In a frustrated hope for a miracle,  I prayed to God to bring relief from her unbearable pain… being far in Egypt as a missionary, I had zero impact on how she was to be treated and on the medication she needed at that time. Jesus, Master, have mercy on me.

- Jesus, Master, have mercy on me, for doubting your miracles… the first miracle was to believe that God’s ways are unknown and to reach the full realization that God answers my prayer requests as he sees fit. A piece of a song echoes in my mind:  "I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see." Jesus, Master, have mercy on me!

 

3. Oratio ( Ask)

 

Where do I meet Jesus?  Living in the accelerated world, I feel compelled to be busy. Do I often greet Jesus in daily hymns, psalms, and worship? Have I met with the Lord Today?

 

The way to meet You Lord in prayer is filled with impediments (false hopes, distractions)  hindering my spiritual growth. I feel sometimes worn out and have the impression that I am the only one doing it and others do not care about prayer life!

 

Pause

 

Dear Lord, may those challenges be turned into opportunities for growth and love for what your Son Jesus Christ is doing in my life here and now.  I need your heavenly sent wisdom to always equip me with baptismal gifts of joy and freedom. Shine on me!

 

Pause

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield and pray)

 

Silence

 

Remove any obstacles or distractions that would inhibit me from being able to become aware of your presence and daily miracles here and now.

 

Pause

 

Almighty Creator, who formed humanity from dust... breathe in me again. I offer my gratitude to you for empowering me to face my everyday challenges. I rely on your abiding love and faithfulness and patiently await the heavenly blessings you have in store for me, my family and for all those who put their trust and hope in you.

 

Silence

 

Revive me and sanctify me by the power of Your Spirit. Set my heart on fire with the good news of Your gospel.

 

Pause

 

Exit from meditation using Psalm 39.