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Thursday, April 4, 2019
“I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Jeremiah 31:33
This scripture is our communion antiphon today. How does God plant His law in our hearts?
One way is through Holy Scriptures.
Henri Nouwen wrote: "To take the Holy Scriptures and read them is the first thing we have to do to open ourselves to God's call. Reading the scriptures is not as easy as it seems since in our academic world we tend to make anything and everything we read subject to analysis and discussion. But the word of God should lead us first of all to contemplation and meditation. Instead of taking the words apart, we should bring them together in our inner most being; instead of wondering if we agree or disagree, we should wonder which words are directly spoken to us and connect directly with our personal story. Instead of thinking about the words as potential subjects for an interesting dialogue or paper, we should be willing to let them penetrate into the most hidden corners of our heart, even to those places where no other word has yet found entrance. Then and only then can the word bear fruit as seed sown in rich soil. Only then can we really 'hear and understand' (Matt 13:23)." This is what sacred reading or praying with Holy Scripture is all about, and it is what we do in Lectio Divina.
Today is the feast day of St. Isidore of Seville, one of the Doctors of the Church. St. John Paul II made St. Isidore patron saint of the internet in 1997! St. Isidore tells us: “If a man wants to be always in God's company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us.” Thomas Merton tells us that the Desert Fathers applied themselves to the love and service of God which expressed itself in the love of God’s word. The word of God gives us insight into our Trinitarian God. Lectio Divina is one way we take the scriptures and apply it to our lives. It is ‘divine reading’. We read, listen, meditate, pray and then contemplate. Read today’s scripture praying it using Lectio Divina. Ask God to send the Holy Spirit to you while reading scripture. Use the sheet describing Lectio that we sent out with the reflection on 3/28 as your guide. Praying using Lectio Divina can open the scriptures to you in new ways that will draw you closer to God. Remember that the goal of praying with the Scriptures using Lectio is not to complete a certain amount of text or reading, but to connect with God by reading His words.
Lenten Action: If you are a regular practitioner of Contemplative prayer spend your normal time in such prayer.
If you are new to meditation and contemplative prayer, read Section 1, pages 6-8 of Practical Instructions for Practicing the Presence of God. Sit for 10 minutes silently. Remain at peace and let go of any intruding wayward thoughts bringing yourself back to the quiet Presence of God in you.
Today is not a Fast day, but if you have a mind to abstain from a favorite food or drink, please do so as a means of strengthening your will power. Remember not to watch TV, or use your computer or your phone to access social media, computer games, or other unnecessary apps.