Lectio Divina for the Twenty-sixth Week
in Ordinary Time
We begin our prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who manifest your almighty power
above all by pardoning and showing mercy,
bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us
and make those hastening to attain your promises
heirs to the treasures of heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
(Collect, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Reading (Lectio)
Read the following Scripture two or three times.
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw
someone driving out demons in your name, and we
tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one
who performs a mighty deed in my name who can
at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not
against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of
water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I
say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who
believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a
great millstone were put around his neck and he
were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to
sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life
maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes
you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into
life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into
Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it
out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God
with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into
Gehenna, where ‘their worm does not die, and the
fire is not quenched.'”
Meditation (Meditatio)
After the reading, take some time to reflect in
silence on one 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?
If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group,
after the reflection time, invite the participants to
share their responses.
Prayer (Oratio)
Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to
the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that
the Word inspires in you.
Contemplation (Contemplatio)
Read the Scripture again, followed by this
reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord
asking of me?
We tried to prevent him because he does not follow
us. When have my words or actions prevented
someone from following Jesus? In what ways have I
harmed the unity in my family or in my church?
For whoever is not against us is for us. How can I
fight prejudice in my own heart and mind? In my
community?
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe
in me to sin. When have I been a near occasion of
sin for others? How can I be a better example,
especially for those who are young or new to the
faith?
After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion,
all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
Closing Prayer:
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
(From Psalm 19)
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Consider how you can support the Church’s mission
through the Catholic Home Missions Appeal or
support for the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Excerpts from the New American Bible, revised edition ©
2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine,
Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright
owner. Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the
Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical
edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with
permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be
reproduced by any means without permission in writing from
the copyright owner.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal ©
2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy
Corporation. All rights reserved