Welcome to DAY 18 of the Lent Lectio Divina series

Throughout these 6 weeks we will pause each day for a few moments to Read a passage of scripture, Reflect on what God is saying to us through it, and Ask the Holy Spirit to help us as we step into the invitation this passage offers us

Before we begin this reading, let’s take a moment to notice our breath and rest in the silence as we invite the Holy Spirit once again to form us into a closer likeness of Jesus. As you breathe in, pray “More of Christ”, As you breathe out, pray “Less of Me”

Today’s Bible Reading comes from John 5:17-30 As we read this passage now, be listening for one word or phrase the Holy Spirit highlights to you. START 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

What is one word or phrase the Holy Spirit impressed on you in that reading? Take a moment to MEDITATE on this.

As we move into our second reading, consider how this passage relates to a current area of your life RE-READ PASSAGE 2ND TIME What specific situation in your life does this passage relate to today? Take a moment now to PRAY about this

As we move into our final reading, consider what God is saying to you personally today from this passage.

RE-READ PASSAGE 3RD TIME

What is Christ’s personal invitation to you from this passage today? Take a moment now to CONTEMPLATE this Let us take this time now into the coming day as we Surrender our bodies to the Holy Spirt Surrender our hearts to Christ And surrender our souls to our Heavenly Father

Amen