Lectio Divina

MARIST LAITY
ST GABRIEL'S
BEXLEY

Meeting: 12 April 2007

Topic: Lectio Divina

Presenter: Br Bernie Magill cfc

Brother Bernie gently led us into the ancient Christian way of contemplative prayer in the context of faith and love, nourished by the Word of God, known as Lectio Divina. This ancient way or Prayer of the Heart also became known as Centering Prayer.

Br Bernie quoted Father M. Basil Pennington OCSO who writes: “Lection Divina is meeting the Lord in the inspired word and letting God speak to us and reveal himself to us in the Sacred Scriptures…..after practising Centering Prayer for some time, many began to show an increasing interest in its fuller context and especially in Lectio Divina and Praying the Scriptures.”

Brother also quoted from Fr Thomas Keating’s book Open Heart, Open Mind -

“Keep close to the reservoir of silence, particularly in the beginning of your prayer…be silent in prayer and let him complete the process. Isn’t that the great significance of the Blessed Virgin Mary? She could not possibly forget God. She WAS prayer in her very being and in every one of her actions.” He also said that we should not take prayer too seriously as there is something playful about God and warns us not to take ourselves too seriously, to realise that God created us with a certain sense of humour.

After this wonderful introduction Br Bernie led us through a group Lectio Divina on the Gospel of that day - Easter Thursday. While one of the group read the Scripture we listened for the Gentle Touch of Christ in the Word. After a few moments of silent reflection we shared a word or phrase that attracted us (no elaboration). During the second reading by a member of the opposite sex we concentrated on how Christ was speaking to Me and reflected on “Where does this touch my life today?” followed by a brief sharing: “I hear, I see…..”

After the final reading by another person we reflected on What Christ the Word is inviting Me to Do or Become this day/week? This time our sharing aloud was fuller. There was no pressure on anyone to share. We finished the Lectio Divina by praying for one another.

Brother Bernie also gave us an outline for personal Lectio Divina which we hope to continue using to centre our prayer during the coming month.

Thank you Bernie for a gently, inspiring, prayerful experience of Lectio Divina.

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