Lectio Divina for the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
We begin our prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care,
that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace,
they may be defended always by your protection.
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, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading (Lectio)
Read the following Scripture two or three times.
Luke 5:1-11
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening
to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of
Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their
nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to
Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the
shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the
boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a
catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked
hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your
command I will lower the nets.” When they had done
this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets
were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other
boat to come to help them. They came and filled both
boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When
Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and
said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For
astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized
him and all those with him, and likewise James and
John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you
will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to
the shore, they left everything and followed him.
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?
The crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to
the word of God. When have I been eager to hear
the word of God? How can I be more enthusiastic
about learning and sharing my faith?
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have
caught nothing, but at your command I will lower
the nets.” When have I felt that my efforts are in
vain? When have I felt that Jesus is supporting me
in those efforts?
They left everything and followed him. What
prevents me from following Jesus more closely?
What sinful behaviors do I need to abandon?
After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion,
all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
Closing Prayer:
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O
LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth;
and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD:
“Great is the glory of the LORD.”
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
From Psalm 138
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Pray for those who are discerning a vocation to the
priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated life.
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.