Lectio Divina

Prayer for Stillness

 

Still me, Lord.
Visit my senses now;
let me see, feel, and hear You in all I do.
May I experience and be healed today
by the peace, love, and joy of Your divine presence.

Amen.

 

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them,  “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.  And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.”  And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”  And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.”  And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.  And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them.  And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away.

St Mark 8:1-9, ESVUK

 

I choose the phrase, "I know that by my lukewarmness and sloth I have closed the door to Your graces," to guide my meditation.

 

 

2. Meditatio (Reflect)

 

On this Trinity season Sunday, my spiritual master teaches me that He cares for us through sacrificial, transformative, and healing love.  Today’s readings prompt me to reflect on sloth, a state of indifference toward love.  I cannot ignore this passion; I need to control my inclination towards it.  Sloth, or acedia, is a capital sin.  Jesus told St. Faustina that His Sacred Heart cannot bear sloth and other passions like pride and arrogance.  While these feelings can keep us alive, they can also become vices that close us off from God’s daily graces. (cf. Diary 1702)

 

Pause

 

Last Sunday, the Word of God contrasted feelings of anger with the gift of patience that Jesus brings, helping us restore God’s image within us. Today, Jesus offers refreshment and healing in a non-Jewish setting, following the disciples’ experiences in Galilee.

The basket used in the miracle comes from the verb "σπειρω" (speiro), meaning to sow and scatter. This reflects that Jesus' healing aims to sow seeds of the Spirit and bring order to our disrupted souls. Disordered passions like pride and jealousy can disconnect us from God.

This passage speaks to my journey of healing with Jesus and calls me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace His higher ways.

I acknowledge that my lukewarmness and sloth have closed the door to Your graces.

 

 

3. Oratorio (Ask and Pray)

 

What do You want me to think about, Jesus?  I know that my lukewarmness and sloth have closed the door to Your graces.  What do You want me to pray for?

I reflect on things that draw me closer to God and to my fellow humans, as well as the moments of sloth in my life:

For the many times I have been lazy in my higher call to love, Lord, have mercy.

For the many times I have not been outraged by the injustice around us, Christ, have mercy.

For the many times I chose what was easy and comfortable instead of what is divine and challenging for my ascent into Your heavenly life, Lord, have mercy.

 

Pause

 

I examine a few more passions and attachments that foster sloth and lukewarmness within me, preventing me from witnessing God's love to my fellow humans.

I know that my lukewarmness and sloth have closed the door to Your graces.

 

Pause

 

Decision-making in today’s society is very hard, Lord!

The very act of yielding in God’s presence prepares me to choose His pathways of compassion and love in my search for fellowship.

I know that my lukewarmness and sloth have closed the door to Your graces.

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield)

 

Psalm 34:8 echoes in my mind: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

 

Pause

 

I pray:

Empower me, Lord, to take bold steps toward the following three graces, which I ask for this week as my prayer:

Help me Lord to:

Taste Your higher ways for justice and love for all mankind.

Heal my prejudices towards those who do not look or think like me.

Rise above the fear and doubt I experience when encountering divine love and fellowship with my fellow humans.

 

Pause

 

I now say the Prayer to overcome sloth and lukewarmness:

O my Jesus, You have been so generous with Your graces toward me and have deigned to give Your Blood and Your Life for me.

 I am truly sorry for having acted with so little generosity toward You, who are worthy of all honour and love. I know that my lukewarmness has closed the door to the graces You desire to bestow upon me.

I will make great efforts to amend my ways and rise from this miserable state. In the future, I will be more diligent in overcoming my passions and following Your inspirations. I will strive to fulfil my duties with greater care and fidelity, never allowing slothfulness to hinder me.

 

Exit Meditation