Lectio Divina

Last night during prison ministry my fellow volunteer, Dave, had an idea. We tried lectio divina which I think, for most of us, was a first.

Lectio divina is a method of prayer involving the meditation upon certain words or phrases from Scripture. Here is an explanation: "First one goes to a quiet place and recalls that one is about to listen to the Word of God. Then one reads the scripture passage aloud to let oneself hear with his or her own ears the words. When one finishes reading, pause and recall if some word or phrase stood out or something touched one’s heart. If so, pause and savor the insight, feeling, or understanding. Then go back and read the passage again because it will have a fuller meaning. Pause again and note what happened. If one wants to dialogue with God or Jesus in response to the word, one should follow the prompting of one’s heart. This kind of reflective listening allows the Holy Spirit to deepen awareness of God’s taking the initiative to speak with us."

Dave provided us with a handout explaining the method which emphasized that not only is there no perfect way of performing this method of meditation and prayer, but that one should not expect a mighty revelation or fireworks of divine revelation. It's just another way to get closer to God and to hear His voice.

We looked over the readings from Sunday, 7/26 and took about ten minutes to quiet our internal minds, read the passages, select words, and reflect. Interestingly enough, most of us went to the second reading, which is from my beloved St. Paul in Ephesians 4:1-6:

Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:
one body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.

There's a lot of good stuff in there.

One inmate focused on the words "gentleness, with patience," stating that she knew she could work on both those things more actively in her life. Another chose "bond of peace." This was significant; he began a conversation about the bond of peace we all feel in meeting with each other each week, the unique and holy nature of the time we spend together, and how it helps keep him in a state of grace as he continues his week. But more importantly he asked the question, which I have also often wondered after Mass is over or leaving a Theology on Tap event, etc.: how does one maintain that bond of peace longer and more permanently? As soon as a person or event comes along to disrupt the flow, then one must seek it out again. You know what I mean. I have a feeling that is a much larger conversation for another time.

I chose "bearing with one another through love." If I could get this right, I think my life would be dramatically different. The one first and foremost we should be bearing with through love is ourselves: forgiveness, gentleness, patience and understanding that you are growing and bound to make mistakes. And secondly, bearing with others in love. Seeing Jesus in every person we meet, and not just when they're being nice. How different I would be if I were less likely to criticize others, condemn, gossip or feel bitterness. These are all behaviors that hold me back from real joy and freedom. I am thinking a lot about that.

I enjoyed using lectio divina prayer, and it reminded me of composition of place (Ignatian prayer that involves using all the senses and imagination to place oneself in a particular setting, as in being literally in the presence of Mary holding baby Jesus, or hearing Jesus give a sermon, and so on) in that it is one more tool to get closer to God, get beyond the prayer routine and open our mind to God's voice. It is also an opportunity not just to ask, as we have a habit during prayer, but to listen.

Treasure Map

I love Matthew Kelly. The way he writes is so clear and approachable, and on many occasions he has helped me understand my faith better.

I receive Dynamic Catholic's "daily food for thought" emails and yesterday he shared a quote from their Confirmation program materials:

"Catholicism is like a really old treasure map. It may be old, but it still leads to treasure. I hope you have the courage and wisdom to seek out the treasure that is Catholicism. And once you find it, I hope you spend the rest of your life marveling at its beauty and applying it to you life."

I have felt this same way many times! Those of us who were born into the Church are told by converts: you have no idea how lucky you are. From the beginning, we are shown the map and all its secrets (which need not remain secrets long, with a little exploration and guidance).

The map that is Catholicism shows you where and how to live your life because in doing so, you get closer to God, the purpose of your life, and true joy. When I was not observant, how was I spending my time? And who or what did I rely on for strength? The rules in our church exist not to dampen growth and love, but to reveal and accelerate them. Those things we're not "supposed" to do are typically the ones that bring us the most sadness anyway, rather than freedom and happiness. True freedom is understanding you do not have all the answers, but there is One who does. I find so much comfort in this truth.

And, as Kelly says, it takes courage to find and follow the faith. Not everyone is up to it. It can be a radical decision, and not one everyone understands, to put your life in God's hands and accept His will. And it's a difficult thing to do; relationships are comfortable, habits are comfortable; excuses are comfortable. There is nothing forcing us to ask ourselves each day, "Am I living my true purpose? What is my true purpose? How can I get there?" and so it is easy to carry on in our old ways.

But when you step back and view the map: the Sacraments, the wisdom of the Saints, the beauty of Catholic community, and all the elements given to us by God so that we may find peace - you cannot help but fall in love. See your faith as a map, particularly in times of doubt and struggle. Stay on the path and you will get closer to true joy and meaning.

St. Paul

Below is adapted from the allocutio I will give tonight at Legion of Mary, on Ch. 24, part 9 of Legio Mariae: St. Paul.

Frank Duff writes of St. Paul that, “A soul that is to win others must be great and wide as the ocean. To convert the world, one’s soul must be greater than the world.” What an accurate description for a man who poured himself so fully into a life of spreading Jesus’s word. He was a speaker, writer, teacher and apostle whose message is still, today, critically important in helping us understand God.

St. Paul is one of my favorite saints, particularly because of the way in which he immediately took to the life that God called him to – without any hesitation, and with a willing spirit. He reminds us of our own mission to evangelize. If you are called in some way to use your gifts for God – and of course, we all are – there is no room for hesitation. There are so many ways to use these gifts, as well, and I think St. Paul loved and found value in the unique skills which God instills in every human.

His story is also a reminder that no soul is ever past hope and we never how or who God will call to serve Him. Let us remember that St. Paul’s story begins when he is called Saul of Tarsus, known for violently persecuting the early Christians. He is converted on the road to Damascus as he is journeying to put more Christians on trial, becoming an example of how the Holy Spirit can work to change our hearts and minds, even in what seem like bleak circumstances. He then goes on to be persecuted himself, but cheerfully so, with an understanding that in his weakness he finds God’s strength.

We really can strive to have souls as wide as the ocean and greater than the world. This is not a vain statement, but a way of saying that the love we have for others must be all-consuming and that we must keep our activities aligned with things not of this world, but with things greater than this world.

Many of his letters contain instructions and advice to the converts in the places where he had lived and his words have a way of answering the questions we as followers still have now, in the modern world. Many of his thoughts are among the most-quoted parts of the Bible. Let us close with one now:

1 Corinthians 13:

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."