Lectio Divina for all

Simeon Leiva-Merikakis OCSO, a Cistercian monk, describes the importance of Lectio Divina. He begins by quoting Blaise Pascal.


Not only do we know God through Jesus Christ, but we know ourselves only through Jesus Christ. We know life and death only through Jesus Christ. Outside Jesus Christ we know neither what our life is nor what our death is nor what God is nor what we ourselves are.
Blaise Pascal.


As Christians we believe that God's revealed Word is the ordinary and indispensable means by which we come to know Jesus Christ.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches - 

Christ's whole earthly life - his words and deeds, his silences and sufferings, indeed his manner of being and speaking - is Revelation of the Father. Jesus can say: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father", and the Father can say: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" Because our Lord became man in order to do his Father's will, even the Christ's whole earthly life - his words and deeds, his silences and sufferings, indeed his manner of being and speaking - is Revelation of the Father. Jesus can say: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father", and the Father can say: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" Because our Lord became man in order to do his Father's will, even the least characteristics of his mysteries manifest "God's love. . . among us".

It is imperative that we therefore develop a prayerful reading of Scriptures if we are to know Jesus Christ. Pope Benedict XVI urges us to do - to know Scriptures is to know Christ.

There are people who take the cowardly way of attacking those whom they consider less themselves under the aegis of their blogs (as if I would!).
It is disconcerting and unfair.
There are many things we don't like that are done in the Church - be surely it would be better to deal with the issues in a more constructive way. Sniggering behind people's backs is the way.

Strong people are good. They are usually leaders. Jesus Christ was one; St francis of Assisi, St Maximilian Maria Kolbe and St Mary of the Cross McKillop are others.
Strong, but not bullies. They able to lead people without making life impossible for them.
May the Holy Spirit gives us the courage to be strong and  respectful of others as we lead them in the Way of Christ.

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waiting...

Today is Sunday. Normally a priest is very busy on such a day. I am somewhat incapacitated and thus have the privilege of having a reasonably easy day. It does make one think that maybe I am lazy and should be doing more - but realistically it cannot be.

Today is somewhat different. I am baptizing two adults. These two people have been attending catechism classes with me for the last six months. One is an Indian Singaporean and the other is a Sri Lankan. Two delightful people - male and female - who have kept me on my toes and enlightened me in so many ways. And we had lots of laughs on the way!

The whole process of catechising has been good for me. It has made me more aware of the maxim - practice what you preach. It has been a constant call for me to reflect upon myself and my relationship with Christ and his Church. Of course the season of Lent has also been conducive to this. I struggle like everyone else and come to accept that sin is a reality that is within me - I have sinned against heaven and my Father!

As a religious it is so easy to sit back and enjoy the comforts of religious life and lord it over others. Humility is often lacking. I must remember that I am a servant, first and foremost. When I am administering the sacrament of reconciliation, it is a case of sinner meets sinner. Never to forget my own sinfulness. I am as much a partaker in this valley of tears as any other creature.

My heart seeks much and much will be received if I seek you alone my God.

Having cooler weather certainly makes life a lot easier! However everything in perspective. Last night I watched the news and Melbourne commuters were giving their opinion regarding the latest 'mishaps' on the Metro trains. No air conditioning, trains delayed, cancelled etc. Then the news moved to Haiti (notice their priority). Incredible horrendous earthquake! People dead or dying. Homeless, desperately in need of help- all the human calamities of a human disaster.
Can't blame the commuters really, but we should be grateful for being in such a safe, comfortable country.

In the beginning...

Well I thought I would give it a go. A Franciscan friar who is at the moment incapacitated by an injury i received in Zambia, Central Africa or some say Southern Africa, three years ago. In such a condition one has many an opportunity to dwell on things. I won't bore you with my injuries, I will just bore you with more thoughts! I am sitting here in a very warm Melbourne not enjoying the heat at all. I will be celebrating Holy Mass in about 40 minutes and I am sure I will be sweating profusely. It seems to be the norm these days. It was never like this in Africa!

The Gospel for today is Mark 1:14-20. Jesus without any social interaction asks a group of fishermen to follow him. And amazingly they do! "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." What makes these men do this? Successful fishermen i would imagine with families to feed - and off they go and follow Jesus. What is it about Jesus that these men change their whole way of living? In their hearts they must have been waiting for Jesus. Despite their success, they must have instinctively known that there was a better way of living and Jesus is the way.

I need to hear Jesus calling me by name each and every moment of my life to know he is the way, the only way. That Jesus is life itself.

I have just finished celebrating the Holy Mass. Beautiful people come to our parish - very devout, people of simple faith. God bless them. One particular family was there - Samoan mother and 5 children aged from 7 to 25. Really delightful to see.

My goodness it is really hot today! I will endeavour to do some reading - Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness.