Lectio Extension- Session 1

To Begin
The purpose of these first sessions will be to get you acquainted with both Thelma Hall's book and to provide practice in the monastic method of Lectio Divina, done in private and shared on the blog. Passages for Lectio will be indicated, but you will need to look them up in your own Bible.

Reading I
"The Deepening of an Interpersonal Relationship." Ch. 3, Too Deep for Words, by Thelma Hall.
Thelma Hall's emphasis on relationship in prayer echoes what we heard from Mike Potter in the Lectio Divina workshop. Note especially her comments on the grace of accepted love (p. 28--).

Lectio Divina

Opening Prayer
Lord, We believe that you wish to communicate with us through the words of sacred Scripture. Let our listening to and reading these words open us to ponder more deeply your message. May the message touch our hearts and lead us to respond.
This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Scripture
Is: 43, 2 - 7 Do not be afraid for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine. . . .I am. . . . your God. . . .I regard you as precious. . . .and I love you. . . .
(The passage is taken from Hall's book, p. 59. Be sure to go to the Bible and read the entire passage.)

Moments in Lectio as we practiced in the workshop (Handout #4)
Lectio: Listening to the word of God, becoming aware of any word or phrase that that catches your attention.
Meditatio: Reflecting on the Word of God. Reading/Listening the second time be aware of any thought or reflection.
Oratio: Responding to the Word of God. Reading/Listening for the third time be aware of any prayer that rises up within you, expressing what you are experiencing.
Contemplatio: Resting in the Word of God. Reading/Listening to the Word of God for the fourth time, just sit with the word and allow God to speak to you in the silence of your hearts.

Take the word or phrase that you spent time with into your day. Let it remind you to consent to God's action and presence within you.

Response
You are invited to share your response to any of our reading, but especially to the Scripture. To respond on the blog simply click on "comments," type your comment in, remembering to click on publish when through.

Note
From the Lectio Divina Workshop: This is an organic, natural process. Let the spirit flow; put yourself in God's hands. Don't try to manipulate the process. If it seems awkward at first, keep on anyway. It will ease as you practice. (that's why they call it practice :-)

Sample Assignment

Sample Assignment.

You are invited to try this sample assignment in Lectio Divina, even before the Sat. workshop. The assignment is as much about learning to sign in and get familiar with the technology as it is about Lectio Divina. Our day with Mike Potter and scripture will be the rich experience we need to get started. This exercise is just a little taste.

Reading About Lectio Divina

From Cherish Christ Above All: The Bible in the Rule of Benedict, by Demetrius Dumm, OSB

This "prayerful reading" of the scriptures was not just reading for familiarity through memorization, much less for mere information. Rather, it was a slow, deliberate and meditative murmuring of the sacred text with generous pauses to allow for prayerful response to the word of God. The end result of years of such prayerful reading was a monastic person whose subconscious was so filled with biblical words and phrases that they would bubble to the surface on the slightest invitation.

Practicing

Matt: 4: 18 - 22 The Call of the First Disciples

Following Prof. Dumm's recommendation, read the scripture passage from Matthew slowly, aloud but softly, to yourself. Then just let it sink in.

After a few moments of just sitting with the scripture, read it again. Slowly, aloud but softly, to yourself. Do any words or phrases seem to strike you as special today? Read those again, and let them sink in.

Read the passage again, again slowly, again aloud softly to yourself. What does God seem to be saying to you in this experience of the word? Let yourself just rest in the word and the experience.

Commenting

In order to join your voice with those in the workshop, go to the comments section of the Blog, sign in, share your experience.

Thank you!

See you Saturday Oct. 18 for a full Lectio Divina experience.

Peace,

Judi

As We Begin. . . .

Hi Everyone,

As I write, on Oct. 6, our Enrichment Day is still 12 days away. Because we haven't yet met together, I thought I'd tell you a little about our presenter, Mike Potter.

Mike serves Contemplative Outreach Ltd. as the the Leader of the Lectio Divina Service Team on the Resource Faculty. He also serves as the Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of West Tennessee.

When he's not serving the Centering Prayer community, Mike is an estate planning attorney and certified civil mediator. He lives with his wife, Rosemary in Memphis, TN. They have two grown sons, David and Jeff.

Mike is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church where he chairs the Church Council. He has given many presentations introducing Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. We are delighted he could spend a day with us, with the Word of God.
__________

For those who might be unfamiliar with Lectio Divina, it is a way of praying with Scripture.

In Lectio Divina, we listen to the texts of Scripture as if in conversation with Christ, with Christ suggesting the topics of conversation. A daily enocunter with Christ and reflection on his word leads beyond mere acquaintanceship to friendship, trust, and love.

The day of Lectio promises to be prayerful and Spirit filled. See you October 18.

Judi

Welcome!

Hello and welcome lectio divina participants! This blog has been set up to allow for an expanded experience of sharing your insights as you proceed to develop a practice of lectio.

Assignments for the followup sessions will be posted once a week, a new one each Tues. by 2 p.m. Simply get onto the blog and retrieve the assignment. Once you have completed the assignment, get back on the blog and get into the conversation! Ideally posts on the first Tuesday's assignments will be made before the next Tuesday, and keep going that way until we have completed all six sessions.

The leadership team will be posting the assignments from the materials Mike Potter has given us. We'll also enter the conversation, answer questions if they arise and if we can, and generally try to keep you connected and supported as you build your practice.

The blog will start in earnest Tues. October 21.
Meanwhile, please pass along suggestions and ideas.

Thanks for your participation,
peace,
Judi