More of Lectio Divina

Yesterday's reading was: Matthew 15, 1-2, 10-14. In this reading, Christ teaches his disciples that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles, but what comes out of the mouth. He explains saying what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and these are evil thoughts. I read and reread but didn't get any insight beyond Jesus chiding the Pharisees who criticized his disciples for breaking tradition by not washing their hands. Jesus is saying that is not important; what is important is what is in your hearts.

Today's reading is: Matthew 17, 1-9, about Christ's transfiguration. He takes Peter, James and John to the mountain where He is transfigured and Moses and Elijah appear and talk to Him. The bible account does not elaborate, but this scene must have taken the apostles' breath away - Jesus shines like the sun, Moses and Elijah appear and talk to Jesus. And after this shocking scene when the others are no doubt dumbfounded, Peter manages to talk. Peter talks a lot, and he says, "If You wish, let us make here three tabernacles ..." And then a cloud comes over them and a voice is heard, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

Jesus shining like the sun was strange enough; Moses and Elijah appearing is stranger still, and now the voice - too much! They fall and cower from fear. Then this is what Jesus does: He touches them and says, "Arise and do not be afraid." When they open their eyes, they see Jesus. As they descend the mountain, Jesus tells them to tell no one until the "Son of Man is risen from the dead."

The word that attracted me was "touch" - Jesus touched the apostles. He not only said, "Do not be afraid," but he touched them. There are many references to "touching" in the bible - the sick who touch Jesus or touch the hem of his clothes, Jesus touching them to heal them. And Jesus saying, Touch me not, when He was risen.

Jesus was very human. Yes, He shone like the sun and conversed with Moses and Elijah, but He was/is not distant from man. He is someone who "touches" man in order to drive away his fears, in order to heal him; that is, He addresses man's physicality. He fed the multitude of people at the Mount; He broke bread and gave this to His disciples. He drank wine and ate and attended wedding feasts and visited his friends in Bethany (Lazarus, Martha, and Mary). There is a scene after His crucifixion, where Jesus prepared breakfast for His disciples on the shore of Galilee. He was and is very aware of our humanity: our pains, our hunger, our anxieties; and He ministers to these. He gave His disciples the power to heal.

The religion that Jesus established was/is meant to be a down-to-earth one that ministers to people in basic ways. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was being Christ-like when she ministered to the dying and the poorest of the poor. We, in turn, should be the hands and feet and body of Christ and attend to people's physical needs - hunger, thirst, miseries, etc.

Lectio Divina - A way of Praying

Here is what a Carmelite site says about Lectio Divina:
"Lectio Divina", a Latin term, means "divine reading" and describes a way of reading the Scriptures whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. In the 12th century, a Carthusian monk called Guigo, described the stages which he saw as essential to the practice of Lectio Divina. There are various ways of practicing Lectio Divina either individually or in groups but Guigo's description remains fundamental.

He said that the first stage is lectio (reading) where we read the Word of God, slowly and reflectively so that it sinks into us. Any passage of Scripture can be used for this way of prayer but the passage should not be too long.

The second stage is meditatio (reflection) where we think about the text we have chosen and ruminate upon it so that we take from it what God wants to give us.

The third stage is oratio (response) where we leave our thinking aside and simply let our hearts speak to God. This response is inspired by our reflection on the Word of God.

The final stage of Lectio Divina is contemplatio (rest) where we let go not only of our own ideas, plans and meditations but also of our holy words and thoughts. We simply rest in the Word of God. We listen at the deepest level of our being to God who speaks within us with a still small voice. As we listen, we are gradually transformed from within. Obviously this transformation will have a profound effect on the way we actually live and the way we live is the test of the authenticity of our prayer. We must take what we read in the Word of God into our daily lives.
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Today's Bible reading (from the Carmelite Calendar)is Matthew 14, 22-36, about the apostles in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. The winds turn rough and the boat is tossed about. The apostles,some of them fishermen, become fearful; perhaps the boat is filling with water. The fishermen among them know how boats can capsize, how even the best swimmers have difficulties battling rough waves. Jesus, who had been alone in a mountain to pray, walks on the Sea of Galilee toward the boat. The apostles see the figure on the water and become afraid. Christ tells them, "It is I, do not be afraid." They do not believe Him immediately, and Peter steps forward and challenges Him, saying if it's You, then let me walk on water too. Jesus calls him, "Come," and Peter walks on water, but the wild waves frighten him and he starts to sink. He calls out to Jesus, "Save me," and Jesus holds out His hand to save him. Now this is interesting, because Jesus does scold him for doubting Him. When they are in the boat, the winds cease.

What I got out of this reading (you have to read the selection many times, and slowly, listening "with your heart") is that it is easy to lose your composure, to be afraid when the winds are turbulent and you think your boat will sink, but that Jesus is always with you, and that you are to trust Him 100%. "It is I, do not be afraid."