Lecto Divina

Veni, creátor Spíritus, mentes tuòrum vísita, imple supérna grátia, quæ tu creásti péctora. LECTIO Do not be afraid… (Luke 5,1-14) MEDITATIO Your absence frightens me. Do I encourage it? Your presence challenges me. How? ORATIO I need you, Lord: hold me tight! CONTEMPLATIO Infunde amorem cordibus

Veni, creátor Spíritus, mentes tuòrum vísita, imple supérna grátia, quæ tu creásti péctora. Lectio I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.  (Luke 4,38-44) MEDITATIO I am sent: for what purpose? God’s will or mine? Do I understand my purpose? What do I proclaim?  Who is the Good News for me? I am bridge in whom others meet. ORATIO  Lord, transform my fragility into a gateway to Your graciousness CONTEMPLATIO Quoniam tu solus sanctus

 Veni, creátor Spíritus, mentes tuòrum vísita, imple supérna grátia, quæ tu creásti péctora. LECTIO He has send me to proclaim … (Luke 4,16-30) MEDITATIO 39 years! Whom have I proclaimed? Anointed!  It’s not always easy to appreciate or understand. ORATIO Anima Christi, santifica me. CONTEMPLATIO Intra tua vulnera absconde me

Veni, creátor Spíritus, mentes tuòrum vísita, imple supérna grátia, quæ tu creásti péctora. LECTIO Woe to you, blind guides (Matthew 23,16) MEDITATIO When was I a blind guide? Losing sight of you, Lord, I am blinded by my shadow. Not affirming the dignity of others. Not examining my intention: taking it for granted that I mean well.  ORATIO Forgive me, Lord, now and always: enlighten my choices by your presence.COMn CONTEMPLATIO Contemplatio ad amorem

Veni creator Spiritus,  mentes tuorum visita, imple supera gratia, quae tu creasti pectora.  LECTIO    “ He said to him, You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind ” (Matthew 22,37). MEDITATIO He opened his mouth and spoke!  How often do I pretend not to listen? How often do my words contradict Him? Heart – soul – mind: with l my being.  A choice, my decision to be for God: nothing intervenes? Am I honest? ORATIO Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. CONTEMPLATIO Misère mei sunt, Domine!

  Veni creator Spiritus,  mentes tuorum visita, imple supera gratia, quae tu creasti pectora.  LECTIO Many are invited, but few are chosen (Matthew 22,14) MEDITATIO What does it mean to be invited?  Am I invited? What does it mean to be chosen? Lived-out priesthood amidst crumbling facades: am I better? ORATIO Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Help me! CONTEMPLATIO In You, Lord.

  Veni creator Spiritus,  mentes tuorum visita, imple supera gratia, quae tu creasti pectora.  LECTIO Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’  MEDITATIO I celebrate Mass daily, but do I know you, Lord?  I eat your body and drink your blood, but do I love you, Lord? Am I afraid to let go and trust in you? Do you know me, Lord? Who am I in your eyes? Help me, Lord! ORATIO Speak to me, o Lord, kindly so: let your presence enlighten my heart! CONTEMPLATIO Your compassion comforts me: let me rest in you, o Lord.

It is not my intention to explain what Lectio Divina is or how to practice it: there are many excellent introductions on the subject online.  So why do I practice Lectio Divina? As a diocesan priest dedicated to intense pastoral activity and teaching, I discovered, over the years, that both activities could become an end in themselves, which undermined my ministry and its significance.  Unsure of who I was becoming, I doubted myself. This questioning strengthened as confreres abandoned or lived their personal fondness and aversion.  Deciding to explore my vocation: its tempestuous passages and disappointments, I had to decide my future as a response:  a step in discipleship.  Despite the turbulence, the Prayer of the Heart is a constant companion, challenging me not to hide myself.  The witnessing of a dishevelled old priest who struggled with the snow to reach his church on the edge of  a forest, contested: Qui totum vult, totum perdit - changed my c...