Recent Lectio Divina reflections are published one week prior to the date of the Gospel reading.
- Luke 21:20-28 Reflection – Redemption Process 11/21/2024
- Luke 21:12-19 Reflection – By your Endurance 11/20/2024
- Luke 21:5-11 Reflection – Signs from Heaven 11/19/2024
- Luke 21:1-4 Reflection – Spiritually Poor 11/18/2024
- John 18:33b-37 Reflection – The Truth 11/17/2024
- Luke 20:27-40 Reflection – Children of God 11/16/2024
- Luke 19:45-48 Reflection – House of Prayer 11/15/2024
- Luke 19:41-44 Reflection – The Grace of Peace 11/14/2024
- Luke 19:11-28 Reflection – More will be Given 11/13/2024
- Luke 19:1-10 Reflection – Save the Lost 11/12/2024
2024 marks the sixth year that I have published daily reflections using the prayer practice of Lectio Divina. Lectio is an ancient prayer technique originating with the church fathers that was further explored and adopted by the Benedictines and many others. Lectio Divina is a way of allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate and teach by way of personalizing Scripture. It consists of progressively reading and praying with a Scripture passage.
The passage is first read then meditated on (Meditatio). A particular word, phrase, or concept may come to mind during this time. While not necessary, this insight can be a foundation for the next re-reading of the passage. The passage is read a second time followed by communicative prayer (Oratio) with the Trinity. Different prayer styles can be used such as having a silent conversation about the passage, insight, image, or a concept that came to mind with God.
The passage is read a third time followed by contemplative (Contemplatio) silence with God. During this time, we allow ourselves to be attentive and open to what God may want to communicate with/to us. On occasion, through grace, we may be invited into an even deeper union with God for a short period.
Lectio Divina gives us an opportunity to leverage and walk towards what St. John of the Cross refers to as the night as pure faith and knowledge of God. In silence with God alone, we can hear what God has to uniquely say to us. Additionally, Lectio provides an understanding of scripture within the context of Jesus’ desire for us to live in peace, love, hope, and faith.
Personally, I have found that prior to entering Lectio I may already have someone or many other in mind that I refer to as “the other” who is anyone besides myself. The other may also suddenly become apparent within Lectio. These are the brief moments of inspiration of the daily Gospel readings in this book. You may notice in my Lectio reflections that sometimes if a passage is used more than once in a year or across multiple years, there are only slight variations in what I write. This is because I believe during these repeated meditations my thoughts, inspirations, perceptions, or concepts become further substantiated.
Additional Thoughts
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for the image of “Our Lord Jesus Christ by James Tissot” web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.