Lectio Divina

by Fr Jean Celestine Ngoma

 

I raise my eyes to you, Lord Jesus.

I want now to stop, to be silent in my mind so that I may seek you during this time of solitude.

Give me your Word; that is what I want.

Bless my five senses, the divine media that help me feel Your presence in me and in the world.

 

Silence

 

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.  As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.  So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.  Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

(St Luke 21:25-33, ESVUK)

 

Silence

 

I was struck by the words of Jesus saying: “When you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near”.

My refrain will be:

“But when all this happens, I will remember You, Lord!”

 

 

2. Meditatio (Rejoice and Reflect)

 

During his pilgrimage here on earth, Jesus shared beautiful stories full of heartfelt words of sympathy and wisdom to describe God’s love for us and to show us how to live our lives.  Today, Jesus uses an apocalyptic image to warn us about a few dangers that can impede our ascension towards Him.

The words of Saint John echo in my mind: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (St John 11:33).  It is your peace that I need at this moment of profound change in our society today.

 

When you see this happening, remember! I now recall our Lord’s words before His passion and resurrection that Saint Luke and Saint John want us to seal in our hearts.  Saint John put it this way: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (St John 12:24).

Jesus warned his disciples that the end would come.  He was encouraging his disciples not to lose heart while facing rejection from people.

The cross, sufferings, and failures are the paschal rhythm that seed the Word of God in me.

Lord Jesus, I ask you to strengthen in me the virtue of hope, so that I may know how to patiently await the coming of Your Kingdom in my heart.

But when all this happens, remember I am the Lord!

 

This generation will not pass away until all has taken place:   New trends and ideologies can lead Christians to sin and doubt essential Christian values.  Lord free me from the dominion and powers of the world.

Free us from fears.

In the face of doubt, may your Word continue to ring out in my heart in all its relevance and remind me that you have overpowered every obstacle that stood up in your way and that all negative movements of this “new age” will come to an end.

 

Pause

 

The treadmill of boredom and meaninglessness:  I meditate upon individualism and appreciation-seeking behaviour that our contemporary society and culture stimulate more and more and frame as standard Modus Vivendi that should be accepted by all.

Individualism and appreciation-seeking behaviour can put me on a treadmill of boredom and meaninglessness.

 

Pause

 

Only Your Father can help us get off the treadmill of always wanting more, being more, appearing more, and having more. Only He can fulfil our desire granting to our frail lives a divine meaning and purpose.

 

When all this happens Lord Jesus, remind me that I should focus on the values of the Kingdom of your Father.

 

The fig tree follows its own rhythm:  I contemplate the image of a fig tree.  In order to harvest the juicy fruits from the fig tree one needs patience.  The fig tree has first to bud for the fruit to ripen.  Everything has its own time!   Fig seeds are tiny, and it can take several years for a seed-grown tree to bear fruits.  The “small beginning a great ending” metaphor of the fig tree cannot be dissociated from the farmer’s patience and endurance.

Likewise, the seed of the word that Jesus put in me has its own time too.  Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, gradually reveals His divine will and rhythm at his own pace.

 

 

3. Oratorio (Ask and Respond)

 

Silence

 

And when death will come, Lord… Should I be concerned about the “when and how" of the death by which I will be able to glorify You?  What are the signs I will see that will predict my crossing over from this world?

I remember God’s Word, that I should not worry about anything, that everything has a season, and that I do not live for myself.  If I die, I die for the Lord.  So, whether we live or die, I belong to God (cf. Romans 14:8).

Then, I called back to my mind the Lord’s words that I should wait for the Holy Spirit:  which will declare to me the things that are to come (cf. St John 16:13).

Nevertheless, before all this happens, I will remember that You are my Lord…

 

Pause

 

Into your hands Lord, my God, I commend my life and spirit.

If I have to glorify you through my death, let me do it in Faith.

I pray that my life continues to be a living testimony of Christ’s love and suffering.

And when death will come Lord, let me remember that You are the Lord of my eternal life.

 

Pause

 

Lord Jesus, when I look for signs in me and the people around me, You tell me to wait, to hope: those signs will come, at their own pace.

And so I want to wait, not like the curious person who waits to see if it will happen, but like the watchman, who knows how to discern the truth from lies and who knows that the dawn will come, without knowing when.

I will remember the works of the Lord: I will remember Thy wonders of old.

 

Exit meditation using Psalm 77