This page contains the sharings of our Lectio Divina members. Their sharings are based on the day’s liturgical reading.

HISTORY OF LECTIO DIVINA

From Contemplative Outreach Website

Lectio Divina is an ancient practice from the Christian contemplative heritage. It was made a regular practice in monasteries by the time of St. Benedict in the 6th century. The classical practice of Lectio Divina can be divided into two forms: monastic and scholastic. The scholastic form was developed in the Middle Ages and divides the process of Lectio Divina into four hierarchical, consecutive steps: reading, reflecting, responding and resting. The monastic form of Lectio Divina is a more ancient method in which reading, reflecting, responding and resting are experienced as moments rather than steps in a process. In this form, the interaction among the moments is dynamic and the movement through the moments follows the spontaneous prompting of the Holy Spirit. To allow for this spontaneity, Lectio Divina was originally practiced in private.

The current resurgence of Lectio Divina owes much to the reformations of Vatican II and the revival of the contemplative dimension of Christianity. Today, Lectio Divina is practiced in monasteries and by laypeople around the world. New practices have also been inspired by the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, such as praying the scriptures in common, which uses the scholastic form of Lectio Divina for a group experience of praying the scriptures. Though the method of Lectio Divina has taken slightly different forms throughout the centuries, the purpose has remained the same: to enter into a conversation with God and cultivate the gift of contemplation.

Like Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina cultivates contemplative prayer. Unlike Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina is a participatory, active practice that uses thoughts, images and insights to enter into a conversation with God.

The Guidelines

1. Reading (Lectio): Read a Scripture passage listening with the “ear of your heart.” What word of phrase captures your attention? Repeat it gently.

2. Reflecting (Meditatio): Reflect on and relish the words. Be attentive to what speaks to your heart.

3. Responding (Oratio): As listening deepens, allow responses to arise spontaneously — praise, thanksgiving, questions, petitions.

4. Resting in (Contemplatio): Simply “be with” God’s presence as you open to deeper meanings of the Word of God for you.

Practice Lectio Divina after Centering Prayer once a day. You may start with a few minutes of prayer and then expand the time you spend listening to the Word of God as you feel prompted.

SHARINGS

“If a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand.” — Mk 3:25

The lectio today left me with more questions than answers. When I was starting out a family , I had to contend with the biases and prejudices of my in-laws. It was not an easy task, and it left me with a lot of resentment. Yet I concentrated on building my own family. Now that the children are all grown-ups…some with families of their own, I see a number of these same prejudices and biases surfacing. They have been passed on! How do I put a stop to this? How can I preserve family unity amidst diverse viewpoints and ideas? How can I respect the feelings and opinions of my children regarding their/our now extended families and still maintain family unity?

Help, Lord! Help me go beyond resentments and concentrate on loving.

“Then Jesus went up the hill and called to Himself the men He wanted…I will send you out to preach.” — Mk. 3:13, 14)

The reading today spoke so powerfully of Contemplative Outreach…of our calling which had to be discovered and lived out in fellowship…living with each other and for each other. He called each of us to be with Him…to be His steady and constant companions…to identify our lives with His and to live with Him all the time. He also sends us out to be witnesses of this lived-experience of Jesus with our lives.

As I reflected on the urgency of our times, the desperation on the faces of the poor, the confusion of the young, I realize and appreciate the relevance of Contemplative Outreach. That as we strive each day to be faithful to prayer…to developing this relationship with Christ, to take on the mind of Christ we may be worthy disciples to spread the message of love.

“Jesus looked around at them with anger and deep sadness because they had closed their minds.” — Mk. 3:5
 

Lord, I pray for an open mind and an open heart that love may prevail in my life. Please give me the openness to let go of my pre-conceived ideas, my mindsets, my pre-packaged value system when the demands of love ask me to act decisively and courageously. Let me not be bogged down with rituals and laws… of what must be and what should be. May I transcend all these to reach out in love.

“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” — Mk 2:27

The best way to worship God is to help man…love expressed in service. Love transcends rules and regulations. The readings today speak to me so forcefully of the power of love…as love as the foundation of all our actions.

These past few days, memories of a family incident were bringing negative energies into my prayer time. I was starting to resent my daughter who I perceived was the cause of all that pettiness against my youngest son. Thoughts of imposing on her the same rules and regulations which she enforced on her brother was foremost in my mind. “I shall make her taste a dose of her own medicine.” And yet, as I reflected on the readings today, the Lord was teaching me the ways of love. Who is at fault is not important. How things shall be set right should be the focus of action. Rather than putting my energies on teaching my daughter a lesson or two, why not concentrate on how I can make things up to my son. Love is what will eventually break down barriers.

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” — Lk 13:24

“Be strong enough” spoke so loudly to me today…Being on vacation away from home, my daughters and I find much joy in going places, browsing around getting attracted to many things the stores have to offer. It is a very tempting preoccupation especially when one doesn’t have anything specific in mind. There is always something attractive one can imagine a need for.

Today the Lord is reminding me to be strong enough to resist all attachment to worldly goods but instead to focus my attention in building God’s kingdom here on earth.

Thank you, Lord, for leading me through the straight and narrow path.
 

“I Am Who AM” — Ex. 3:14

During our recent retreat, this realization of who God is was touched on by our retreat master. That if God is the I AM, we are little “I am’s”, having been created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore I am by nature loving, kind, merciful, compassionate possessing all His attributes revealed to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The awesomeness of being a child of God has hit me like a bolt of lightning as I ponder God’s generosity and mercy towards a sinful creature like me. I, therefore, am making a stand that “I am a kind and gentle person” (focusing on these two attributes first) and if on many occasions I fail to show these God-like qualities, with God’s grace, I will keep trying to be what He made me to be.

Thank you, Lord, for making me see myself the way I truly am in Your eyes.

“Five loaves and two fishes are all we have. Then he said: “Bring them here to me.” — Mt. 14:17-18

Giving the example of how Jesus was able to feed the multitude with just five loaves and two fishes, our retreat master in one of his homilies encouraged us to offer up to Him our body…two arms, two legs, our five senses…all we have…and He will work wonders with it.

This has given me a lot of encouragement in my chosen apostolate whenever I feel timid about teaching people the practice of centering prayer. There are many times when I feel very inadequate to reach out. However, when I see some fruits of my efforts I realize that truly the Lord blesses those who give all, no matter how puny they seem to us.

Lord, thank you for working your wonders in me.

“But Herod said, ‘John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things.?” And he kept trying to see Him. — Lk. 9:9

The message I got from the gospel today is…Keep trying to see Jesus in everybody, especially in whom you hardly expect to see Him. This silent retreat is a good chance to put this into practice. Also, find Him as your invisible companion throughout the day. See Him in your blessings and be thankful for them…particularly for being able to attend this retreat…the luxury of time and place that is given to you in order to be alone with the Lord…Thank you, Lord.

“When the days of His being taken up were fulfilled, Jesus resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and He sent messengers ahead of Him.” — Lk. 9:51-52

After our retreat, as I sat reflecting on my prayer life, I found it wanting in fervour…I resolutely determined to make an effort to improve on it.

Today, the Lord seems to be chiding me about my mistaken perception that this was something I could do by sheer effort on my part. How easily have I forgotten that it is not I, but the Spirit within me that prays…for, without Him, I can do nothing and everything good that I do is always done by the Spirit in me. I can lay no claim on my own efforts alone.

Lord, thank you for reminding me.
 

My words are “set apart . . . designated”.

My first reaction is gratitude that I have been given the opportunity to set apart certain parts of the day designated as time with the Lord. Then I thought I should really have more of these, since other times which are flexible sometimes get lost, pushed aside by other preferred activities. Then I was reminded that "time with God" should not be a schedule, rather it should be "all the time" that is, my whole life should be with God and in God. And this is only possible if I live in the Divine Will. Thank you Lord for the invitation.

My words are “put up with suffering”.

I am listening to You, Lord.

I have been unfamiliar with these pains, Lord, and I am trying hard not to complain. I offer up these unrelenting pains to You and hope to learn from the experience. Help me and sustain me, my Master.

My words are “give thanks”.

The Lord wants me to be aware and recognize all the blessings He sends my way and be grateful for His life-giving love and goodness.

My words are “mercy has been shown to me”.

You give me hope, Lord, with Your words. I thank You, Lord, for Your unending grace and immense love for me. For it is only by Your grace and mercy that I am able to carry on in times of strife. And I thank You for sending me these obstacles that make me strong and grow in Your love.

My words are “mercy,” and “inexhaustible patience.”

I thank the Lord that He is my God. To assure me of His patience regardless. Even during these times when I feel I am a basket case and a hopeless case getting back into old bad habits and patterns. Thank you Lord for your assurance and your mercy. May I understand and accept myself as much as you understand and accept me.

Thank you Lord for your “inexhaustible patience”. Help me remember how patiently you dealt with me every time I failed to follow your truths and ways. Help me be patient in your name when I am inconvenienced by others. Thank you Lord for the opportunities to exercise patience as a means to discipline my will and subject it to follow yours.

My words are "inexhaustible patience for all".

Lord, please grant me even just a little of that inexhaustible patience You have for all so I can be a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to You every moment of my life.

My words are "calling me into his service, he has judged me trustworthy".

Lord thank you for this assurance. You know how often I am beset by doubts about myself and what I am doing. Let me hold on to these words during these moments. If you have called and chosen me, then you know what you are doing. Give me the grace to listen with the ear of my heart.

My words are "trust in him for eternal life".

Each day I awake I tread one foot into eternal life praising God for His mercy and goodness. I trust in Him to lead me in the way of obedience and love. Dear Lord have mercy on me and guide me in the path of faith and truth that I may know You as my Maker and Savior.

My words are "with faith and a good conscience".

You remind me, Lord, how to face the day.

The world is full of pitfalls and temptations, Lord. I have not much knowledge but thank You for the gift of conscience to guide me. When strife and obstacles come my way, all I have is my faith in You. Keep it strong and unwavering so that I may make my way safely to You. Help me be a good example so that my loved ones can make their way to you, too.