LECTIO DIVINA

(7:30 – 7:34)
So now we enter into Lectio Divina, in the spirit of prayer.

In the name of the Father...it is good to come together and practice lectio divina so
that we may develop a deep and genuine love for it...as you relax and breathe and
focus softly upon the words I am saying you are allowing the gentle tuning of your
being with the Lord.

It is not necessary that you exert extra effort to concentrate and there is nothing that
you need remember; just relax and breathe and follow... NOW

Let all those worries and cares and soooo many things that block up our own ears
and our hearts, occupying them so there is no room for the Lord to enter in.

Let us just get rid of all those and say, Here I am Lord, I come to do Your Will. Take
away from me these cares and let me be, at least for this time in my day, attentive to
your voice – to the offer, to the invitation of faith.

Speak Lord... your SERVANT is listening. (Pause)

Let us ask God mercy for the sins that so occupy our hearts... all those things which
block the pathway to our hearts... and leave no room for the Lord, His word or His
presence. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. (Pause)

Speak, Lord... your servant is listening. (Pause)

Lord, help me to .... See and to hear... what these Holy Words say... to my head that I
may know you... to my heart that I may love you... to my hands that I may serve you.
(pause)

Speak, Lord... your servant is listening. (Long Pause)

(7:34 – 7:38) LECTIO
“Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went
with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was
being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and
with her was a large crowd from the town.

When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not
weep.”

Then he came forward and touched the pallet, and the bearers stood still. And
Jesus said, “young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to
speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great Prophet has
risen among us!” and “God has looked favourably on his people!” This word
about Jesus spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.”

- The text tells us that there were two groups of people – a meeting of two
processions. Did you notice which of them caught the attention of Jesus?

- Compassion moved Jesus to raise the son of the widow to life. Does the pain
of others move me to the same kind of compassion?

- What do I do to help others to overcome their pain and open out to a new life?
- God visited his people. Am I aware of the many visits of God in my life and in
the life of the people?

- Am I appreciative, and do I praise and thank God for the very many good
things I have received?

Meditatio (7:38 – 7:45)

I will read the Gospel again. Listen as if you were hearing it for the first time. As I
read, listen to a word or phrase that stands out for you...perhaps, the one that stirs
your heart or mind or senses...
“Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went
with him.
As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried
out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a
large crowd from the town.

When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not
weep.” Then he came forward and touched the pallet, and the bearers stood
still. And Jesus said, “young man, I say to you, rise!”

The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great Prophet has
risen among us!” and “God has looked favourably on his people!” This word
about Jesus spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.”

Silently, on your own, reflect on your word or phrase... I wonder whether you can
move from the literal meaning to what only the Spirit can make clear to you. It calls for
action by your involvement and for passive surrender as it draws you into the heart of
God.

Oratio (7:45 – 7:55)

I will read the Gospel a third time. As you listen, hear it as if hearing you were it for
the last time, allow your word or phrase to evoke in you a personal response -- I don’t
know if it would be a response of praise, or love, or repentance, or perhaps a short
prayer... but you know.

“Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went
with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was
being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and
with her was a large crowd from the town.

When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not
weep.”
Then he came forward and touched the pallet, and the bearers stood still. And
Jesus said, “young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to
speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great Prophet has
risen among us!” and “God has looked favourably on his people!” This word
about Jesus spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.”

I do not know whether you feel moved to verbalize your response. Not everyone
would... Your prayer may be simply staying with your word or phrase in silent
conversation -- a conversation of presence... but some would like to let their response
out... As you feel the stirring in your heart to speak aloud... feel free to do so.

Contemplacio (7:55 – 7:59)

Whether you realize it or not, you now bear the abundant fruit of God’s
compassionate response by which devout hearts raise their gaze to God in
sentiments of a stronger faith, a more fervent hope and an undying love.

Stay with the divine presence as we wind up these precious moments, allowing it to
be with us the rest of the day, and the coming week, in ways only you and God knows
-- so we may continue to speak with love about Him who is love.

How would the coming week look like, sound like or feel like...with this life-giving and
empowering feeling in your heart?

How would people react to you as you bear witness to the Good News you heard...

How would your outcomes be as you DO LIKEWISE?

Final Prayer (7:59 – 8:00)

O God, our Father
In Christ, your Living Word,
You gave us a model of new humanity,
Let the Holy Spirit make us not only listeners,
But also doers of the Gospel,
So that the whole world may know you and glorify your Name, Through Christ our
Lord, with the Holy Spirit, now and forever, Amen.