What is lectio divina? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 2708, “Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.” The five steps of lectio divina include:
- Reading. Read a passage slowly and carefully within the bible.
- Meditation. Thinking deeply or dwelling upon a spiritual reality within a text.
- Prayer. Having a loving conversation with God.
- Contemplation. Resting in Gods presence.
- Action. Go and do likewise.
21st Sunday OT Yr. B: From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: The entire Christian life bears the mark of the spousal love of Christ and the Church. Already Baptism, the entry into the people of God, is a nuptial mystery; it is so to speak the nuptial bath311 which precedes the wedding feast; the Eucharist. Christian marriage in its turn becomes an efficacious sign, the sacrament of the covenant of Christ and the Church. Since it signifies and communicates grace, marriage between baptized persons is a true sacrament of the New Covenant.312 1st Reading:Joshua 24:1 – 2, 15-18: “We will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”
Responsorial Psalm 34:2 – 3,16:21: “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”
2nd Reading: Ephesians 5:21 – 32: “This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.”
Gospel: John 6: 60 – 69: “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”
Our first Reading is a rather strait-forward question, whom am I going to serve. Am I going to listen to Jesus’ teaching, and follow Him? Or, am I going to pay more attention to the trends and new social actions of the day and get tied up in them?
Our Responsory Psalm points out to me how God is ‘always’ taking care of those in need who turn to Him. He is present to us 24/7. The immensity of God’s love, power, attentiveness is so much greater than I can even begin to imagine, much less explain.
The relationship of Christ and the Church is a Mystery! Scripture often uses the marital relationship to explain Jesus and His Church. Love is the ‘center’ of all goodness and life-giving relationships. As a husband and wife need to keep their love for each other alive, so my relationship with Christ must be kept alive by my prayers, attending Mass, receiving the Eucharist and deliberately turning to Jesus when difficulties arise.
The person who loves others also loves themselves. Love is the greatest gift I can give to another. When someone attacks me verbally, can I stop and silently count to ten, take time to ask myself: did I do, or not do something to bring on this encounter? Did I forget to keep a promise? If I have done something to bring this on can I apologize honestly and gently.
Do I truly choose to follow Christ? Pope St. John Paul II, in one of his addresses inquires, “Ask yourself now – I too am examining my conscience – whether you are holding firmly and unshakably to your choice of life? When you hear the most lovable voice of God urging you on to holiness, do you freely answer yes? When a traveler goes to a new country, he looks for signposts to guide him to his destination. I must remember that my final destination is Heaven. Therefore, I need to follow Christ’s signposts which brings me to freedom. The more I follow Christ’s signposts the more I become freer to love as Jesus loves. May PEACE reign in our hearts.” SM