Winter is a season of slowing down. Days end earlier with less sunlight, poor driving conditions keep us close to home, lots of one-pot soups and stews simmer on the stove, more books get read. The earth rests under blankets of cold and snow and we long for some deep rest, too. This retreat is an invitation to stop striving and to settle into the silence of winter and the tranquility of the prairie’s seasonal stillness. It is also an invitation to consider our experience of interior winters, how we can best live in them, and to welcome how they …
Lectio Divina: Prayerful Reading of Scripture Part Two
As we choose spiritual practices for Lent, we might consider the practice of lectio divina, the prayerful reading of Scripture. (See part 1) This slow reflective reading may be done alone or within a group. The method of lectio divina is often referred to as fourfold: lectio (reading the text), meditatio (reflecting and meditating on the text), oratio (praying from the text) and contemplatio (deep contemplation of the text). “Reading as it were, puts food whole into the mouth, meditation chews it and breaks it up, prayer extracts its flavor, contemplation is the sweetness itself which gladdens and refreshes.” (Guigo …
Lectio Divina: Prayerful Reading of Scripture Part One
During Lent it may help to have a prayer in your pocket. One that you can pull out on a moment’s notice. A prayer I keep close at hand, and “at heart” is Psalm 23, “A Prayer of David,” commonly called “The Good Shepherd Psalm.” This psalm can become a spiritual resource especially if it arises from the practice of lectio divina. Lectio divina literally means divine or holy reading. This is a way of putting on the mind of God. By absorbing the Word of God we let the divine scripture penetrate deeply so that we may be transformed by divine …
The power of God’s sustaining presence
We enter into Holy Week with millions of people suffering in Syria, in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and so many other places in our world. As I reflected on Jesus’ suffering on the cross, I wondered what help and hope the crucifixion and resurrection gives us. I find that hope and help in the silent presence of God even in the midst of suffering. Often it is only in looking back that we can see that Presence in times of suffering. Occasionally we experience this sustaining Presence in the moment. _______________________________ Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday homily Lynne Smith, OSB …