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Page 2                                 Mount Michael Oblates                   September-October, 2003        

 

Lectio Divina – Prayerful Meditation

 


By Francesca Dammermann, Oblate Novice

 

  “… not by bread alone does man live, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord.” (Dt. 8:3)

 

  How wonderful it is to be nourished by God’s word!

  His word is real food for the soul, consolation in time of sorrow, rock and stronghold in time of need, joy in time of sadness: it is counsel and guidance for our very own life!

  If only I would learn to listen as God wants me to do!

  If only I would open the ears of my heart!

  Lectio Divina is a wonderful time of grace.

  A time in which I strive to make silence inside myself and open my heart to God, so that I may listen to His voice, to God’s words to me at this very moment.

  And His words teach me to live every day, every moment of my life, leading me through joys and sorrows, giving deeper meaning to all I am daily doing.

  God is present and truly alive among us! Our hearts are longing for Him and He is longing for us.

  Lectio Divina is opening my heart to God’s love, allowing Him to work, to change and shape my being.

  Lectio Divina is helping me living God’s Word in my daily life.

  It is helping me doing God’s will and not mine.

  St. Benedict’s first word in the Rule is LISTEN!

  Lectio Divina is a wonderful way to listen to God, to get to know what God wants me to do, experiencing Christ’s presence in others, learning to honor Christ presence in each of us, respecting and valuing what God is telling me through the Scriptures and through the insights of all those around me.

  Benedictine spirituality is based on Lectio Divina. St. Benedict is very clear in his Rule: it is integral part of a monk’s life to practice Lectio and we, as oblates, should follow their example and St. Benedict’s teachings. It is God’s word that is transforming our oblation into a wonderful and most precious offering pleasing to Him.

 Please join us for weekly Lectio, which will start Sept. 5 at the Guest House at Mount Michael Abbey, every Friday morning from 10 to 11 a.m.

  If you are not able to attend, please prayerfully consider to practice Lectio through the daily readings at home.

  Daily prayer, celebrating daily Mass, receiving Christ in the Eucharist is a wonderful way to begin daily Lectio.

  If you find yourself in wonder before God’s word, your heart touched by the Holy Scriptures, know that this is really God speaking to you.

  Close your eyes and listen to Him: you are practicing Lectio Divina from the heart. You are opening your whole being to God’s wonders. Put your trust in Him.

 

Ride Needed

Bro. Jerome received an appeal from Gerard Janicek.  He is in need of a ride to the oblate meetings.  Gerald may be reached at 402.551.9271. His address is 5110 Grover St., Apartment 10.