Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 7,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Matthew 16:24-28

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever will save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Or what can one give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his works. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

Am I honestly and consistently denying myself and embracing “my cross”?

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

In today’s gospel reading we hear Jesus spell out the radical terms of discipleship beginning with self-denial, accepting one’s own cross, and going where Jesus leads us or sends us.

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

Lord, Almighty Father, be with us as we seek to become the ones You created us to be by following the teachings and the example of your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Send your Spirit to stir within us and break the grip of selfish desire within us. Grant that we may learn to willingly accept our own crosses in life daily and choose to follow in the footsteps of your Son who is “the way and the truth and the life.” We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more