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!
I hope that I always strive to be a "man of my word." Sadly (to me anyway), at times I fail to follow through on something I promise, especially when I make that promise during a homily on the weekend. Such is the case when a few weeks ago, I promised to provide a copy of the "Act of Love." Here it is:
O my God,
I love you with all my heart and soul
because you are all good and deserving of all my love.
I love my neighbor as myself for love of you
I forgive all who have injured me and
ask pardon of all that I have injured.
Amen.
If you read this prayer a number of times, you can't help but think of the "Greatest Commandment" that Jesus speaks of in the Gospel (Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34). If many of us were honest, we would have to admit even before saying this prayer that we fall, somewhat, or a great deal short in living out all that is uttered in these relatively few words. Saying "I love you, God" is only sincere when we are striving to follow his way every day. Keeping his commandments is in itself saying "I love you God."
Then there is the neighbor which includes those who live near me and those who live far from me, especially those who are in need regardless of their race, color or creed (see parable of the Good Samaritan-Lk 10:25-37). Then there is the challenge of forgiving those who have hurt us. Instead of asking myself "Do they deserve to be forgiven" before deciding to forgive, I need to call to mind how God is so ready to forgive us that he never asks first about any of us sinners "Does he or she deserve to be forgiven?" No, God forgives without hesitation and so calls on us to do the same toward others.
The last part of the prayer, may in fact be the hardest to do, especially when we do not know if the person we have offended is in a forgiving mood or mindset. Doing it anyway, with a contrite heart, is ALWAYS the thing to do regardless of whether the person is ready and/or willing to forgive us right now. Praying this prayer regularly (if not daily) may not always reflect where we truly are in all these areas, right now, but it does serve to remind us of where we need to strive to be and hopefully it leads us to ask for the grace, strength and commitment to be as the Lord wants us to be in relation to him and in relationship to others.
O my God,
I love you with all my heart and soul
because you are all good and deserving of all my love.
I love my neighbor as myself for love of you
I forgive all who have injured me and
ask pardon of all that I have injured.
Amen.
If you read this prayer a number of times, you can't help but think of the "Greatest Commandment" that Jesus speaks of in the Gospel (Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34). If many of us were honest, we would have to admit even before saying this prayer that we fall, somewhat, or a great deal short in living out all that is uttered in these relatively few words. Saying "I love you, God" is only sincere when we are striving to follow his way every day. Keeping his commandments is in itself saying "I love you God."
Then there is the neighbor which includes those who live near me and those who live far from me, especially those who are in need regardless of their race, color or creed (see parable of the Good Samaritan-Lk 10:25-37). Then there is the challenge of forgiving those who have hurt us. Instead of asking myself "Do they deserve to be forgiven" before deciding to forgive, I need to call to mind how God is so ready to forgive us that he never asks first about any of us sinners "Does he or she deserve to be forgiven?" No, God forgives without hesitation and so calls on us to do the same toward others.
The last part of the prayer, may in fact be the hardest to do, especially when we do not know if the person we have offended is in a forgiving mood or mindset. Doing it anyway, with a contrite heart, is ALWAYS the thing to do regardless of whether the person is ready and/or willing to forgive us right now. Praying this prayer regularly (if not daily) may not always reflect where we truly are in all these areas, right now, but it does serve to remind us of where we need to strive to be and hopefully it leads us to ask for the grace, strength and commitment to be as the Lord wants us to be in relation to him and in relationship to others.
The other day I ran across a list compiled by the Texas Medical Association which listed activities that they considered least risky to most risky to do that could lead or not lead to infection from the Coronavirus. Firstly, I like the fact that it lists "activities" since it is important that nobody lets the threat of contracting the Coronavirus paralyze them to inaction (which itself has negative consequences for mind, body and/or spirit). While the riskiest activities were going to a bar or a sports stadium (obviously for an event) and church services of over 500 people gathered together, not surprisingly, the least risky activity was listed as opening ones mail, getting restaurant take-out and playing tennis (which I do a couple times a week). I have to say that I would confidently add to that list of the least risky activities, coming for personal prayer to our Eucharistic adoration chapel. I would also say that in this time of pandemic, it is one of the best and healthiest things that you, I or anyone could do. Firstly, it is one place where masks are truly optional and not needed for sure if one is alone in the chapel. We have pews roped off in such a way that even if more than one person is in there, there is an appropriate distance roped off that keeps everyone in there (which is usually 1 or 2 people) safely apart. Since SILENCE is to be observed at all times in the chapel, nobody is in danger of infection from someone emitting anything contagious from their mouths (unless they cough or sneeze out into the open) and we STRONGLY urge anyone with that issue not to come to the chapel or be very conscious of where they cough or sneeze.
Then, of course there are the TREMENDOUS benefits of coming to the chapel to pray (which can bring us comfort, peace and/or strength from the Lord) and to meditate on the words of Jesus especially those spoken more than a few times in the Gospels "Be not afraid" that can calm our fears including fears brought about because of the Coronavirus. You may actually come to the chapel anytime 24/7, seven days a week if you know the code at our coded door and where the light switch is (if it is dark). We are currently in need of some hourly "pray-ers" to cover times in our adoration chapel. Please look for those times in a bulletin announcement this week and call the phone number listed OR just drop by for a few minutes or longer and participate in this safe and most beneficial activity. I will admit that I could not do without it, and many in our parish, I believe would say the same! I hope and pray you add your name to that list SOON!
Then, of course there are the TREMENDOUS benefits of coming to the chapel to pray (which can bring us comfort, peace and/or strength from the Lord) and to meditate on the words of Jesus especially those spoken more than a few times in the Gospels "Be not afraid" that can calm our fears including fears brought about because of the Coronavirus. You may actually come to the chapel anytime 24/7, seven days a week if you know the code at our coded door and where the light switch is (if it is dark). We are currently in need of some hourly "pray-ers" to cover times in our adoration chapel. Please look for those times in a bulletin announcement this week and call the phone number listed OR just drop by for a few minutes or longer and participate in this safe and most beneficial activity. I will admit that I could not do without it, and many in our parish, I believe would say the same! I hope and pray you add your name to that list SOON!