Sunday Lenten Forums

Dear Friends,

Yesterday (Sunday March 4) we continued the Sunday Lenten Forums with a look at how we read scripture. We found we read scripture for various reasons: history, finding out how to live our lives, to get something out of it, to know Jesus better, to name a few.

We were then introduced to four ways to approach and read scripture that puts God at the center, with no agenda but to sit with God and the words.

Basics: Lectio divina is the foundation of reading scripture in a way that may open our minds to God. The steps for lectio divina are reading, reflection, prayer, and still presence. After being introduced to all four options, we then practiced this exercise, briefly, to get an idea of it.

We begin to read a part of scripture slowly, silently to ourselves, stopping when a word strikes us, or stands out, or shimmers, becomes vibrant. We cease reading and stay with that word. The intent is not to get to the end of the passage. Rather, you stay with this word through which God may touch you now. Through staying with this word, even if its "shimmer" is only faint, we await God's presence.

In reflection, we move toward an understanding of God in the word. You use your mind to reflect on the possible spiritual meaning of the word for your life. Important: Don't try to force this. Things may be only faint, not clear. Let God work through the word in you. You may not understand what is happening until much later. The importance of this step is to trust and be open to God.

We then pray actively, opening our hearts to God, through this word, in direct communication, letting your will be open to the possibility God may lead you to action in response to the exercise.

Finally, we enter still presence, sitting quietly with God, in the spaciousness of God, beyond the images and feelings that may arise.

Three variations on lectio divina are the following.

First variation: either after step 4 above, or in place of steps 2 through 4, stop and sit with the word, and let yourself breathe it. Exhale into surrender to God, then breathe in the word letting God quietly work in you through the word. You may want to take the word with you throughout the day, letting God be present with you. Try using this variation to read the newspaper, or a novel, or a spiritual classic!

Second variation: is to read a passage several times, with pauses between each reading, letting past and present disappear, letting the words of the past become present through the day. Monastic practices included having a passage read over and over out loud until, one after another, each of the monks had hold of the passage enough to return to their cell and let the passage work on them. As Tilden Edwards writes, in Living in the Presence, "Try to let yourself open to an intimate presence for God through whatever images may appear in a particular passage. Eventually the images may dissolve, leaving a still, open presence for God.

A third variation: draws on your imagination. Read some passage, preferably one that is vividly pictorial - one of the miracle stories in a gospel, for instance. If possible, have someone read it to you, as you close your eyes and try to picture the event in your mind. See if you can join in the scene, being present there as one of the characters or simply yourself, watching, maybe taking part. Hear, smell, taste, touch, see as clearly as you may. After a time, let the scene fade, leaving only you and Jesus there. This is your time with Jesus. Share anything you want to with him. Bring any distractions, fear, resistance to him. Optionally, you might write down an imaginative dialogue with Jesus, letting it unfold spontaneously.

After practicing the first exercise, the basic lectio divina, we discussed what it was like for us, without sharing the details of the experience itself.

In conclusion, all are invited to write down one question you have about the scriptures, to bring to next Sunday's forum. During the week, try to find for yourself the answer to the question. We will spend the first ten minutes on Sunday, March 11 at 9:00 a.m. on these questions.

The main study for next Sunday's forum will be praying with the Book of Common Prayer. The phrase to keep in mind this week, in preparation for next Sunday's study with the BCP is: Praying shapes believing.

For those who were here last Sunday, this is a refresher on yesterday's study. For those who were unable to be here, you do not lose anything by that. I ask God's presence to be with you all.

Faithfully,
Lois Keen