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Lectio Divina Reflections

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church

USCCB Readings

From the responsorial psalm: “I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:31-35)

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

As the mother of Jesus and his brothers stand outside, word is sent to Jesus that they wish to speak to him. Commonly referred to as brothers were extended family members such as cousins. Jesus tells the crowd who his family is as he looks around at each of them. At the coming of Jesus, Saint Paul tells us, the will of the Father takes the place of sacrifices of burnt offerings and sin offerings. “By this ‘will,’ Paul says, “we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

God, help me dwell today on the divine guidance the readings give in doing your will. The psalmist says, “Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, ‘Behold I come.’ Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.” Twice, the psalmist says, “waited”—”I have waited, waited for the LORD.” God, come to my assistance; Lord, make haste to help me. Give me the grace today to recognize and accomplish your will.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“That house will not be able to stand.” | Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:22-30)

“Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”

Jesus summons the scribes to address a lie they have been telling about him. They say, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” United in the Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus does not participate in division but only eternal unity. A human kingdom has unity but also has factions so that within that unity division can exist. Divided from the unity of truth, a lie springs from the father of lies, the evil one, and is participation in everlasting sin. Jesus knows the intentions of the scribes and through divine wisdom exposes their lie. Jesus says all sins and blasphemies will be forgiven. “But,” he says, “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” Unity forged by the strongest human bonds will always fail; let the truth of God enter in to plunder and drive out division.

God, assist me by every good grace you can give me to recognize where division is so that you can bind it and make it useless. I don’t want to live out of unity with you, yet that is where I tend in my inclination toward sin. Help me today in these two ways: by removing me from division and by letting you in. In my house, Lord, come with power to tie up and disable all that blocks your entrance. I don’t want to participate in any lie that would keep you out, and I

depend on you for every good gift. Lord, you say, “Without me you can do nothing.” Be my strength, Lord. Jesus, I trust in you!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” | Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

On the sabbath and in the town of Nazareth, where Jesus had grown up, in the synagogue he reads from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. After reading it, he says to those in the synagogue, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” In saying this, Jesus claims divine identity as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Today’s Gospel begins from the first chapter of Luke, in which he lays out his intention for writing it: just as many have written of the events Jesus fulfilled, Luke carefully investigates the events so that “you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.” As Jesus fulfills what we hear him read in the portion of the reading, he fulfills entirely all of it, as when Isaiah says Jesus was sent “To give them oil of gladness instead of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a faint spirit.” Jesus embodies the longing of the prophets; he is hope realized from every promise God fulfills.

God, strengthen my faith. Luke investigates the events of Jesus and retells them for that purpose. What I first received through faith, help me grow in the certainty of its teachings and be released from the bonds of doubt. Why does Luke retell what has been told but to share with one person, Theophilus, the entirety of the Gospel? In sharing that joy with one person, he shares with the whole world. Lord, give me the grace to see the words and actions of Jesus anew in Luke’s Gospel. Help me see in him the fulfillment of all of your promises made throughout the history of salvation. In receiving the word, let me be firm in faith and tirelessly retell to one soul at a time what Jesus brought to fulfillment: “The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to the captives.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel.” | Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

. . .

From the Gospel acclamation:

“For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 16:15-18)

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

As Jesus speaks to the apostles, he describes the signs that will accompany them. Those who have been baptized and believe, he tells them, will be able to accomplish supernatural works through the Holy Spirit. Called by the same Lord and sent out to proclaim the Gospel is Paul, who describes himself as one to whom the risen Christ appeared last of all; in Paul’s words, “as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me.” The story of the apostles and the story of Paul teach us something about the call to discipleship. Among those who are baptized, the call will come early or the call will come late. Like Paul, with our many gifts, we are a “chosen instrument,” responding to the voice of Jesus who calls us to “get up and go” by proclaiming the Gospel.

God, help me throughout the day to consider the conversion of Saint Paul. He was literally knocked off his high horse, blinded by your light, and brought to wholeness through fasting and with the help of others. How familiar is the armor of self-preservation that keeps me moment by moment from receiving your grace. Yet, Jesus calls the apostles and Paul and all who hear his voice to put on the armor or Christ for a purpose the Gospel acclamation states perfectly: “I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” Jesus chose the apostles from the world, from out of the world, and he chose Paul as “a chosen instrument of mine.” Saint Paul, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“He appointed the Twelve.” | Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

From the Gospel acclamation: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:13-19)

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

Mark describes the spiritual context in which Jesus chooses the Twelve. The scene follows yesterday’s Gospel, where so many people were pressing upon Jesus that he was in danger of being crushed by the crowd. From the mountain, a place of revelation of his divine authority, Jesus entrusts to the apostles full and active participation in his mission. Just as the apostles are given a unique role in the mission of spreading the Gospel and combating evil, so are we through baptism made priests, prophets, and kings, incorporating us into the life and mission of Christ. 

God, help me see how today’s Gospel unfolds. Jesus summons the Twelve from upon the mountain, appointing the apostles to call people to you through their witness of Jesus Christ your Son. In my role as priest, prophet, and king through baptism, give me the grace to fulfill these roles as part of the Body of Christ. Guide me in prayer and sacrifice as priest; strengthen me to live out my faith publicly as prophet; and, in keeping with the Catechism, consecrate me to be “a spiritual house and a holy priesthood.” Help me, Lord, grow in understanding of the freedom and responsibility that comes with baptism. Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“He appointed the Twelve.” | Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

From the Gospel acclamation: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:13-19)

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

Mark describes the spiritual context in which Jesus chooses the Twelve. The scene follows yesterday’s Gospel, where so many people were pressing upon Jesus that he was in danger of being crushed by the crowd. From the mountain, a place of revelation of his divine authority, Jesus entrusts to the apostles full and active participation in his mission. Just as the apostles are given a unique role in the mission of spreading the Gospel and combating evil, so are we through baptism made priests, prophets, and kings, incorporating us into the life and mission of Christ. 

God, help me see how today’s Gospel unfolds. Jesus summons the Twelve from upon the mountain, appointing the apostles to call people to you through their witness of Jesus Christ your Son. In my role as priest, prophet, and king through baptism, give me the grace to fulfill these roles as part of the Body of Christ. Guide me in prayer and sacrifice as priest; strengthen me to live out my faith publicly as prophet; and, in keeping with the Catechism, consecrate me to be “a spiritual house and a holy priesthood.” Help me, Lord, grow in understanding of the freedom and responsibility that comes with baptism. Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“You are the Son of God.” | Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

From the Gospel acclamation: “Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:7-12)

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.

People come from many regions to see Jesus and to receive his healing. So great is the crowd that he speaks to them from a boat so that the people don’t crush him. Mark tells us that his power is such that people seek only to touch him to be cured. Even the unclean spirits fall down before him, shouting in recognition of the truth, “You are the Son of God.” The command to them not to tell anyone is an expression of the “Messianic Secret,” which is that Jesus keeps hidden the fullness of his divinity as he does the will of the Father. Just as Jesus reveals his divinity according to the Father’s will, he invites us to do the same in freely choosing to share the Gospel in a way that gives glory to God.

Father in heaven, help me call to mind today’s Gospel as I have the opportunity in encountering others to be an instrument of your love and healing. I often forget to bring the Gospel into key events of the day or, for that matter, any event of the day. Jesus knew where he was. He knew that the need people had even to touch him was so great that they would crush him as they pressed upon him. When I engage with people today, help me remember to look at them and know exactly where I am and who I am—a means of your mercy, even if the only expression of it is a smile or gentle reassurance. Give me the grace to take myself less seriously and return to you again and again in childlike faith in your truth, in the person of truth, Jesus Christ your Son.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

From the Gospel acclamation: “Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:1-6)

He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent.

In the synagogue on the sabbath, the Pharisees watch Jesus closely in order to trap him. Without saying a word, the Pharisees speak from their heart, but the words of Jesus silence them, just as he commands unclean spirits to be silent. Mark tells us that Jesus looked around at the Pharisees with anger and was grieved at their hardness of heart. After the silence, Jesus says one more thing: “Stretch out your hand.” In the stillness that follows, Jesus restores the man’s withered hand. The Pharisees sought a way to take the life of Jesus, stretching out their hand to the Herodians and hearing a legion of voices tell them that by destroying the Prince of Peace, peace will be restored. In the midst of the day, will we take time in silence to seek healing from the Lord, to hear the voice of Jesus say, “Stretch out your hand”?

God, help me reflect on these words of Jesus on this day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children. Just as he spoke in tenderness to the man with the withered hand, he speaks to everyone who calls on his name and seeks to be restored to you through the power of the Holy Spirit. “Stretch out your hand,” Jesus says, inviting us once again to be restored to the divine mercy of his Father—our Father—and the promise of eternal life as your children.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“The sabbath was made for man.” | Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

From the responsorial psalm: “He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. His praise endures forever. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:23-28)

At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?”

Jesus responds to the Pharisees who question the disciples of Jesus as they pick the heads of grain on the sabbath. The tension between the interpretation of the law that Jesus offers them and their own strict interpretation centers on their claim that it is unlawful to work on the sabbath. Jesus answers their question with a question, drawing on an example from David and his companions. Jesus goes on with a divine interpretation of the sabbath, one that reveals it not in rigid, legalistic framing but as a gift from God meant for the people. He says to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

God, let me see the gift you give me today in choosing to serve you in complete freedom. When I hear Jesus say, “Have you never read. . . ,” I hear a kind of exasperation with the constant questioning and strictness of the Pharisees. You don’t impose yourself, and obedience to your will is not oppressive. You see me in my needs and give me the freedom to choose to do what is good and pleasing to you. Just as David shared the bread of offering with his companions to satiate their hunger, help me see the hunger others have for your mercy and give to others what you first gave to me. Saint Agnes, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.