Lectio Divina: For the 22nd Week In Ordinary Time

Please read slowly and reflectively.

Slowly count to five at the end of each line.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (FIRST READER ONLY)

JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, "IF YOU WISH TO COME AFTER ME,/

YOU MUST DENY YOURSELF,/

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS,/

AND FOLLOW ME./

IF YOU WOULD SAVE YOUR LIFE, YOU WILL LOSE IT./

IF YOU LOSE YOUR LIFE FOR MY SAKE,/

YOU WILL FIND IT./

WHAT PROFIT IS THERE IN GAINING THE WHOLE WORLD/

AND LOSING YOUR LIFE?/

WHAT CAN YOU GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR LIFE?/

FOR THE ANOINTED ONE WILL COME WITH THE ANGELS IN THE GLORY OF GOD/

REPAYING ALL FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE./