Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 14,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Acts 1:15-17. 20-26

Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (the number of names together were about one hundred and twenty gathered together) and said, “The scriptures must be fulfilled which came from the mouth of David through the Holy Spirit concerning Judas who guided those who arrested Jesus. Judas was numbered among us and shared part of this ministry. For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his encampment become desolate and may no one dwell in it.’ And ‘May another take his office.’  Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning with the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us, be ordained to be with us a witness to His resurrection.”

And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas or Justus and Matthias. And they prayed, “Lord, You know the hearts of all men. Show which of these two You have chosen that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship left by Judas who fell with his transgression and went to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the other eleven apostles.

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

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

Today’s first reading recounts the selection of a follower to take the place of Judas. The reading reminds us of the necessity of relying on prayer and scripture to guide our decisions in life. The restoration of a 12^th disciple/apostle is also noteworthy because of its symbolism of the 12 tribes of Israel and Christ’s Church as the new Israel.

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

Loving LORD, Heavenly Father, I praise You for all You are and all that is because of You. I thank You for the gift of the Spirit to guide us in prayer and in our study of your Word. Jesus Christ, Your beloved and only-begotten Son, called us to His ongoing salvific mission, to live lives of right relationship with You and with one another and to share generously our witness to Him and His sacrifice, His death and resurrection, according to Your will for our salvation and life with You in abundance. Grant that I may daily seek your will through prayer and scripture and that I might cooperate with the Spirit’s direction. I ask 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