My homily a few weekends ago focused on the importance of God's Word in our lives and how it should form our minds, hearts and actions first and foremost over other words we read or hear. When I was studying Philosophy in college, I readily admit that more often than not when I read the words of some famous philosophers of the past, I would have to read a sentence or paragraph over and over again in an attempt to try to understand what they were saying. Sometime I got it, and sometimes I didn't. God's Word in contrast much more often than not "IS" understandable, still most passages need to be read more than once for us to receive the most benefit from what God is saying to us.
I came acrorss what was labeled as "The 4 steps of Lectio Divina or Prayerful Reading" that I would like to share with you in hopes that you will give this process a good try.
Lectio: Read a Scripture passage aloud slowly. Notice what phrase captures your attention and be
attentive to its meaning. Silent pause.
Meditatio: Read the passage aloud slowly again, reflecting on the passage, allowing God to speak
to you through it. Silent pause.
Oratio: Read it aloud slowly a third time, allowing it to be your prayer or response to God's gift of
insight to you. Silent pause.
Comtemplatio: Read it aloud slowly a fourth time, now resting in God's word.
The results of this effort could be, not a "game changer" but a "life changer" in terms of its impact on your life and appreciation of the power of God's Word!
I came acrorss what was labeled as "The 4 steps of Lectio Divina or Prayerful Reading" that I would like to share with you in hopes that you will give this process a good try.
Lectio: Read a Scripture passage aloud slowly. Notice what phrase captures your attention and be
attentive to its meaning. Silent pause.
Meditatio: Read the passage aloud slowly again, reflecting on the passage, allowing God to speak
to you through it. Silent pause.
Oratio: Read it aloud slowly a third time, allowing it to be your prayer or response to God's gift of
insight to you. Silent pause.
Comtemplatio: Read it aloud slowly a fourth time, now resting in God's word.
The results of this effort could be, not a "game changer" but a "life changer" in terms of its impact on your life and appreciation of the power of God's Word!