Lectio Divina

by Fr Jean Celestin Ngoma

 

My Lord, I adore You and praise You.

In your presence I want to prepare my heart for this moment of prayer.

Send your Holy Spirit to enlighten me and open my mind and heart to everything You want to tell me today.

Thank you Lord, for nourishing me with your Word.”

(Silvana Ramos)

 

 

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

When they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”  He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,  and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:6-11, ESVUK

 

 

2. Meditatio (Rejoice and Reflect)

 

I creatively imagine what parents experience when they go through Empty Nest Syndrome, particularly when their beloved children leave for college or university studies. Those who openly express their feelings often say they miss their children around the house. They worry about their loved ones and may feel a sense of hopelessness as they try to navigate life without their children.

What about fleeting connections and abrupt goodbyes that follow a brief friendship, a holiday, or the end of a pilgrimage or retreat?

Why do these experiences feel so daunting?  Is it because we fear the ordinary after having experienced the extraordinary?

Speaking of the extraordinary, the apostles were uniquely endowed with exceptional gifts.  However, they had to face the reality of Jesus saying goodbye. To help them cope with the initial stage of grief, which is denial, Jesus sought to reassure his disciples.  In the Gospel of St John, chapter 14:1-4, he tells them,

"Let not your hearts be troubled. In my Father's house, there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ... If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  And you know the way to where I am going."

No joy was there!  Despite these reassurances, one of the disciples replied, "We do know where You are going; how can we know the way?" (St John 14:5) (cf. St John 20:24-29). Their response lacked confidence and was filled with doubt and worry. Even with their gifts and Jesus' promises, joy was still absent.  Jesus noticed the sadness among those he called His friends.  Fear of stepping outside the upper room was prevalent, making it difficult for them to embrace the "ordinariness" of their lives”. They feared to lose Jesus‘ existing divine empowerment.

 

3. Oratorio (Ask)

 

How wonderful it is to contemplate the life of the Trinity in this Gospel passage.  We witness the sending of the Son to us and His return to the Father.  With the angels, we catch a glimpse of Heaven's mysteries, and we are invited to wonder and "rejoice with trembling" (John Henry Newman).  This mystery is one we can contemplate endlessly, imagining the return of the Son to the Father.  

I adore You and praise You

What else do you want me to understand, Lord Jesus?

Lord Jesus, how can I live in the light of your ascension to Heaven?

The words of Jesus and His ascension lift us to great heights of contemplation. We may be tempted to linger there, much like St Peter did on the Mountain of Transfiguration, but we need to continue experiencing life with the Lord Jesus in our daily lives. Our journey of discovery and surprise is far from over.

 

Thinking about surprises, I creatively imagine the economy of salvation as a train journey. The Son ascends, boarding the train, while the Holy Spirit arrives, alighting at the same time.  If the Son is on the departure platform, the Holy Spirit is on the arrival platform. This train of our salvation story will continue until its final destination, where we will meet Christ face to face. Our humanity will meet His humanity, and the divine within us will unite with His divinity.

I adore You and praise You

 

Pause

 

I contemplate the main gift of the Ascension and the upcoming Pentecost: the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.  It is remarkable to read in today’s reading and commentaries that the Holy Spirit helps us navigate both the ordinary and extraordinary aspects of our lives.  The Spirit empowers us to overcome obstacles and prays both in us and for us.

In extraordinary moments, the Spirit strengthens us and empowers us to be able to support others on their faith journeys: "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria" (Acts 1:9).  

 

The Holy Spirit encompasses everything and helps us recall the healing words of Jesus to ease our suffering.  In times of denial, anger, depression, and hopelessness, let us hold onto hope coming from God, the source of true love and imparted within us through the Holy Spirit.

I adore You and praise You

 

Pause

 

I formulate a prayer of thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit, who:

• Descends into the depths of my life and personal history to enlighten me, helping me recount my family story together with Christ.  I adore You and praise You
• Encourages me not to limit my life story to obscurity and prepares me for penance to better receive the Father and the Son, along with all the surprises and discoveries He has in store for me.  I adore You and praise You 
• Helps me embrace the ordinary aspects of my life and opens me to the unknown while anticipating the glory and joy that the heavenly Father has prepared for me here on earth.  I adore You and praise You

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield and Prayer)

 

I now imagine the beauty of the Son's return to the Father; it fills my heart with joy!  I adore You and praise You

An indescribable indeed, a divine joy, as the Son returns to His Father, bringing His humanity, as a sign of hope for me and all the saints in Christ Jesus.  I adore You and praise You

 

Pause

 

I feel privileged to contemplate this mystery because Jesus Himself whispers it inwardly into our hearts.  It is now time to adore You and praise You.

As I reflect on this wonder, I offer my gratitude to God for instilling this feeling of joy within me.  I adore You and praise You.

 

I pray :

 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who ascended into heaven in glory,

I adore You and praise You

and beg You to ask Your Heavenly Father

to look down in mercy upon us who still struggle here on earth.

Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, may Your Kingdom come!

(Mention your weekly request here…).

In the name of Christ, Amen.

 

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