Lectio Divina for the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Read the following Scripture two or three times:
Luke 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you
that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Meditation
After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on or more of the following questions:
– What word or words in this passage caught your attention?
– What in this passage comforted you?
– What in this passage challenged you?
Contemplation
Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
Two people went up to the temple area to pray. Where do I go to pray? What can I do to strengthen my
prayer life?
O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity. What people or groups do I judge ? Whom do I
exclude from my circle of love?
O God, be merciful to me a sinner. For what sins must I repent? How can I open my heart to God’s gift of mercy?
After a period of silent reflection recite the Lord’s Prayer.
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Celebrate God’s merciful love by receiving the Sacrament of Penance.
