What do you think of this? [Show an apple] Let’s call this is the “family apple.” We can all admire, and look at it lovingly. Maybe we can put on the coffee table or put it in a prominent place on the bookshelf. Now, wouldn’t you think that is ridiculous? For an apple is not to be admired, but to be enjoyed, eaten, or opened-up to make it into something else, like a pie.
Well that’s how many of us treat the bible. Probably all of you have one somewhere in your home? You might even have a fancy one, which sits prominently on your coffee table or bookshelf. Bibles are meant, not to be admired from afar, but opened up, consumed, looked and used. I suggest for you to consider using your bible like a workbook . . . something that you can write in, highlight, draw circles around, dog-ear the pages, etc.
Of course, you must have picked up the reference to the scriptures in the gospel. As Jesus explains in the verses after this passage, the word of God can both grow in our lives or simple do nothing and become unimportant. It’s up to you.
Of course, the God’s word can also be found in other places like nature, the sacraments, in each other . . . but the bible is probably the clearest and easiest place to access God’s word. I have always suggested to keep your bible in a place that you are more prone to open it up and read
. . . like next to your bed, or next to the toilet. Try it. And don’t feel obligated to read pages and pages. Perhaps just read a small section and meditate on it.
So let me show you a method for reflecting (or meditating) on scripture. This method has a fancy name from Latin and has been used for centuries. It is called Lectio Divina, which means sacred or holy reading. It is really quite easy, instead of simply “plowing through” the bible it is a technique to meditate with the scripture and allow the word of God to become planted within you.
It’s starts by choosing a scripture text. Perhaps the readings for the upcoming Sunday or the Mass readings of the day? They are always printed in the bulletin, which is also found in the parish webpage. Anyway, choose a reading and be prepared to be changed by it. Whenever you read a passage and you immediately think that it applies to someone else (e.g. gee, my sister needs to hear this) then you are reading it incorrectly. The passage is meant for YOU!
Let’s try it. Take out the big blue hymnal. Now you may have noticed that the readings are not printed in these. That is because during Mass we want you to look and “hear” the word of God. For those who have problems hearing, remember we have Missalettes available in the racks at the entrances and both buildings have hearing amplifiers.
Open up the hymnal to the back, #1016. Here are some of the Psalms written out. This one is Psalm 51, which is one of my favorite. The first thing is to read it . . . outloud! That’s important.
As I read, I want you to pick out one phrase, or even one word that strikes you. [I read the Psalm 51 aloud] Now meditate on that phrase/word a bit. You might even want to close your eyes.
-What “grabs” you about that phrase? E.g. It comforts you or challenges you.
-What “feeling” seems to be rising within you?
-What other situations in your life make you have a similar feeling?
OK, now turn that “stuff arising in you” . . . into a prayer. What is your desire, or gratitude? What do you want God to know? What do you want to say to God?
Finally, just sit with the word or phrase. This is the best part (and also the hardest). It is tough to be quiet with God (for we usually want to keep asking for things). Simply do some quiet resting. If you have trouble with this, then concentrate on your breathing. Pay attention to it, taking slow deep breaths. [Allow time for this]
Now open your eyes. There are many variations of Lectio Divina. Some techniques involve repeating your word or phrase out loud, especially if you are doing this in a group. I will share another technique next week as a bulletin cover.
In the gospel, Jesus wants the word of God to take root in us. This is just one style. This has been around since the early Church but it has re-surged in recent years. Pope Benedict recommended it as a way for us to hear God and to respond to God “with openness of heart.”
It’s really a way to bring the scripture from our head into our hearts. Try it out. You cannot do it wrong . . . just do it. Pope Benedict goes on to say, “this practice will bring the Church a new spiritual springtime.”