Good Shepherd Parish Ministry of Lectors and Commentators

LECTIO DIVINA

Good Shepherd Parish Ministry of Lectors and Commentators2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SESSION ONE

HOW IS YOUR PRAYER LIFE?HOW DO YOUDESCRIBEPRAYER?It is told that prayer is a dialogue between God and you.

How is Your Prayer Life?

But most of the time, it is a MONOLOGUE by US.

How is Your Prayer Life?5We need to learn to discipline ourselves to LISTEN to God in prayer

How is Your Prayer Life?6LISTEN

Jumble the letters and you get

SILENT

We need to be SILENT in order to LISTENHow is Your Prayer Life?God communicates with us in various ways

8

The people we encounter in our daily lives

9

The events that come along our way

The signs of the timesGood Shepherd Parish Ministry of Lectors and Commentators2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SESSION ONE

In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son through whom He also created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of His natureHebrews 1: 1-2a, 3a RSVHow is Your Prayer Life?In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him And the Word became flesh and dwelt among usJohn 1:1-3a, 14 RSV How is Your Prayer Life?What is referred to by the writer of the letter to the Hebrews as the Son is no less than Jesus himself

Jesus revealed to us the Father. And after Jesus left, those who followed Him recorded what he told us about the Father and His kingdom for the following generations to heed and knowHow is Your Prayer Life?

This Gospel had been promised in former times through the prophets, and Christ Himself had fulfilled it and promulgated it with His lips. This commission was faithfully fulfilled by the Apostles who, by their oral preaching, by example, and by observances handed on what they had received from the lips of Christ, from living with Him, and from what He did, or what they had learned through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The commission was fulfilled, too, by those Apostles and apostolic men who under the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit committed the message of salvation to writing.

(Dei Verbum no. 7)

Thus, the scriptures, the word of God in our own words, is the record of Jesus revelation of the Father and His kingdomReading the bible should be part of EVERY Christians prayer life How is Your Prayer Life?Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life?John 6:68b RSVHow is Your Prayer Life?The Church wants each and every Catholic to read the BibleHow is Your Prayer Life?

[I obey] the precepts of Christ who says "examine the Scriptures" (John 5:39) and "seek and you will find." (Matt 7:7) Let me not hear with the Jews: "you are wrong because you do not know scriptures nor the power of God." (Matt. 22:29) For if, according to the apostle Paul, Christ is "the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Cor. 1:24) and who does not know Scripture does not know the power or the wisdom of God, then ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.St. JeromeDoctor of the Church, Translator of the Scriptures"And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigor, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life." Hence "access to Sacred Scripture ought to be open wide to the Christian faithful. (CCC 131, quoting Dei Verbum nos. 21 and 22)How is Your Prayer Life?But for many of us, reading the bible (and understanding what it says) is a tedious task How is Your Prayer Life?PRAYER (MONOLOGUE)+DISCOURAGEMENT IN READING SCRIPTURES=NO SPIRITUAL LIFEThe EquationWhat do we do???How is Your Prayer Life?

Introducing:Lectio DivinaA way of prayer using the scriptures

It is a kind of prayer that trains us to listen to God FIRST followed by our own response

What is Lectio DivinaThe documents produced before and during the Synod mentioned a number of methods for a faith-filled and fruitful approach to sacred Scripture. Yet the greatest attention was paid to lectio divina, which is truly capable of opening up to the faithful the treasures of Gods word, but also of bringing about an encounter with Christ, the living word of God(Verbum Domini, no. 87)

POPE BENEDICT XVILectio Divina has four elements:

Lectio Meditatio Oratio ContemplatioWhat is Lectio DivinaIt opens with the reading (lectio) of a text, which leads to a desire to understand its true content: what does the biblical text say in itself? Without this, there is always a risk that the text will become a pretext for never moving beyond our own ideas(Verbum Domini, no. 87)Lectio Next comes meditation (meditatio), which asks: what does the biblical text say to us? Here, each person, individually but also as a member of the community, must let himself or herself be moved or challenged.(Verbum Domini, no. 87)Meditatio Following this comes prayer (oratio), which asks the question: what do we say to the Lord in response to his word? Prayer, as petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise, is the primary way by which the word transforms us.(Verbum Domini, no. 87)Oratio Finally, lectio divina concludes with contemplation (contemplatio), during which we take up, as a gift from God, his own way of seeing and judging reality, and ask ourselves, what conversion of mind, heart and life is the Lord asking of us?(Verbum Domini, no. 87)Contemplatio Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.(Romans 12:2)What is Contemplation? Contemplation aims at creating within us a truly wise and discerning vision of reality, as God sees it, and at forming within us the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). The word of God appears here as a criterion for discernment (see Hebrews 4:12)(Verbum Domini, no. 87) What is Contemplation?

We do well also to remember that the process of lectio divina is not concluded until it arrives at action (actio), which moves the believer to make his or her life a gift for others in charity.(Verbum Domini, no. 87)To What End?Lectio Divina can help to discipline us in our prayer life

(ma-thei-teis) Greek for learner, pupil, apprentice, follower this is where the term disciple is derived

In this sense, discipline means developing the attitude of a disciple

Brings in DisciplineAny follower of the Christ is expected to listen to Him and allow Him to teach them

In our practice of Lectio Divina, we will be taught to LISTEN to the voice of the Master and allow Him to TEACH us His ways

In order to do this we must be able to establish the followingThe Discipline of Prayer

TIME ALONE WITH GODSet a special time for prayer Keep and defend that time

Set a place for prayer

Write it down! JournalizeTime Alone with God

SILENCEMany of us are afraid of silence, mainly because it is in silence that we are confronted with our self and who we are

But it is only in silence that God comes to encounter us (see 1 Kings 19:9-18)SilenceGod is also present in the storms that come along in our lives, but it is in the silence that we get an opportunity to build our faith, and it is during these storms that we get to exercise it (see Matthew 14:22-33)Silence

BE PATIENTHACHIKOSometimes, God will seem to be absent in our prayer life

This may lead to discouragement, but it is the time that we should be hanging on and keeping on, persevering in prayerBe Patient

Are you mourning before God because you have not had an audible response? You will find that God trusted you with an absolute silence, not of despair, but of pleasure, because He saw you could stand a bigger revelationBe PatientLectio Divina differs from the plain reading of the bible since Lectio Divina requires another style and a different set of attitudes Lectio Divina vs. Plain ReadingDirected at: study, gathering informationConcerned with: learning (whether theological or literary)It is a process of acquiring facts and knowledgeBrings one to a subject-object relationshipPlain ReadingConcerned with: transformation and growth (via the connection of the text with ones life situation)Brings one to an inter-personal relationship (communion with the Word of the Father through the Spirit)One brings him/herself before the text and submits to its guidance

Lectio Divina It is never done in an aggressive fashion but with a docile, receptive spirit open to Gods message that will direct ones journey toward GodLectio DivinaAttitudes in Approaching Lectio DivinaOne has to learn to see not only the obvious in the text but its inner depth, bringing a prayerful presence to the Word behind the words which will lead one to proclaim, It is the Lord!Seeing the Inner DepthYou have to train your ears to hear what is being said by God behind surface manifestations that make no sense from the human perspective alone; to be able to rejoice in the presence of the Master, hearing His voice, allowing Him to affirm and challenge you.Seeing the Inner DepthNormally, charismatics would term this as ASL As the Spirit Leads This means allowing God to speak to you through and beyond the text. This is a lesson in letting God take control and allowing Him to guide your life, and in being receptive to Gods leadings.Giving Up ControlThis attitude is one of surrender, of submission to Gods direction, thus avoiding one to have a manipulative stance toward the text It teaches one to be docile and obedient, leading one to discipleship, allowing the Word of God to form youGiving Up ControlListening requires one to still his/her mind, giving faithful attention to the Master, EVEN WHEN THERE IS DARKNESS AND DRYNESS in prayer (see Hebrews 12:2)Becoming a ListenerOne must stay patiently with the chosen text whether one gets results or not. This patient dwelling with the text deepens ones power of concentration so that even in dryness and aridity, you allow the Word of God to pierce through the marrow of your being (see Hebrews 4:12)Patience

An open and receptive self

A copy of the Bible which you can mark/write on

A pen or pencil or markers

A special notebook (your Prayer Journal)

The Tools

Break time!!! Please be back in 15 minutes for the actual process of doing Lectio DivinaGood Shepherd Parish Ministry of Lectors and Commentators2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SESSION ONE

This method of doing the Lectio Divina was developed by the Lumko Institute of the South African Catholic Bishops Conference, which also developed the Seven-Step Bible Sharing. This particular version of doing Lectio Divina involves marking out the Bible texts and journalizing, hence the need for writing instruments.NOTEAt your appointed time of prayer, go to your appointed prayer space. Take time to relax, sit comfortably, and bring yourself into the presence of God.The Process

Open your Bible to the scripture passage, and SLOWLY, read the text ALOUD.The Process (Lectio)

After reading the passage, using your pen, mark with a CONTINUOUS LINE any text that moves you or pleases you.Mark with a B R O K E N L I N E any text that you do not like or that challenges you.

The ProcessIt opens with the reading (lectio) of a text, which leads to a desire to understand its true content: what does the biblical text say in itself? Without this, there is always a risk that the text will become a pretext for never moving beyond our own ideas(Verbum Domini, no. 87)LectioSlowly read the text again SILENTLY, watching your reactions to the text, especially to the text already marked.The Process

Quietly think about the marked passages. Why are you comfortable with some texts and uncomfortable about others? Think how these texts relate to your life situations. Write down on your journal your reflections.The Process (Meditatio)

Next comes meditation (meditatio), which asks: what does the biblical text say to us? Here, each person, individually but also as a member of the community, must let himself or herself be moved or challenged.(Verbum Domini, no. 87)MeditatioPray about the message that Gods word brought to your life. Talk it over with the Lord.The Process (Oratio)

Following this comes prayer (oratio), which asks the question: what do we say to the Lord in response to his word? Prayer, as petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise, is the primary way by which the word transforms us.(Verbum Domini, no. 87)OratioTake some time to silently sit in His presence. Open your heart to Him, and LISTEN to how and where He directs you. Jot these also in your journal.The Process (Contemplatio)

Finally, lectio divina concludes with contemplation (contemplatio), during which we take up, as a gift from God, his own way of seeing and judging reality, and ask ourselves, what conversion of mind, heart and life is the Lord asking of us?(Verbum Domini, no. 87)ContemplatioEnd by thanking the Lord in prayer.The Process

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW CHAPTER 15VERSES 21 TO 28Our Text

DEAR JESUSHELP ME TO SPREAD YOUR FRAGRANCE EVERYWHERE I GO.FLOOD MY SOULWITH YOUR SPIRIT AND LIFE.PENETRATE AND POSSESS MY WHOLE BEING SO UTTERLYTHAT ALL MY LIFEMAY ONLY BE A RADIANCE OF YOURS.LET THEM LOOK UPAND SEE NO LONGER MEBUT ONLY JESUS.STAY WITH ME.THEN I SHALL BEGIN TO SHINE AS YOU DO:SO TO SHINE, AS TO BE A LIGHT UNTO OTHERS.THE LIGHT, O JESUS,WILL BE ALL FROM YOU,NONE OF IT WILL BE MINE;IT WILL BE YOUSHINING ON OTHERSTHROUGH ME.LET ME THUS PRAISE YOUIN THE WAY YOU LOVE BEST,BY SHINING ON THOSE AROUND ME.LET ME PREACH YOUWITHOUT PREACHINGNOT BY WORDS,BUT BY MY EXAMPLE,BY THE CATCHING FORCE,THE SYMPATHETIC INFLUENCE OF WHAT I DO,THE EVIDENT FULLNESSOF THE LOVE MY HEARTBEARS FOR YOU.AMEN.