Lectio Divina

by Fr Jean Celestin Ngoma

 

As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God.

 

 

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.  In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;  for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.  I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!  Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?  Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.  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 16:23-33, ESVUK

 

 

2. Meditatio (I Reflect)

 

We all understand that the final words and testament of a dying person carry immense significance in personal and family contexts, especially when there are existing internal divisions. These last words often reveal the true identity of the dying individual.

This text reminds us of Jesus' final words before His death and resurrection.  It allows us to recognize a few gifts we have received from the Lord.  These gifts are not something we can earn through our own merits; rather, they are the fruits of God’s salvific grace.  They give us reasons to always be thankful to the source of this amazing love, from which all good things flow.

The Holy Spirit is the first gift from the Lord after His resurrection.  As a Divine Being, the Holy Spirit possesses the power to instill love in our hearts through our full and conscious trust and participation in the promises of Jesus.  It is the trinitarian love, produced by the Holy Spirit and imparted into our hearts, that enables us to join in the messianic and true religion advocated by the prophet Isaiah, highlighted in our Epistle today [St James 1:22-end]: to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the broken-hearted, and to proclaim liberty to the captives [cf. Isaiah 61:1].

The Holy Scriptures recount several stories of individuals who attempted to create their own religions by either worshipping their egos or twisting the existing true faith. Some prayed for things contrary to God's will, refusing to align with God’s heart. In the story of the Prodigal Father, both sons “prayed” for what was not good for them—that which was contrary to their everlasting salvation. They wanted to enjoy their father's wealth and prestige without having any relationship with him. They coveted their father's property but did not desire to share in his heart. So long as they did this, they were missing out on the true everlasting treasure. The Spirit helps us share in our Father’s blessings.  He bridges the gap between our short-term needs, hindered by sin, and the Father’s long-term divine inheritance plan.

 

 

3. Oratorio (I Ask)

 

The story of the Prodigal Father reminds me that the sons prayed for something contrary to God’s will.  St Paul, in his letter to the Romans, states that “...we do not know what to pray for as we ought.”  What should I pray for, Lord?  I should pray for joy, holiness, and happiness.  These elements should be intertwined in my prayer because they reflect our Savior’s desires.  I believe that seeking joy, happiness, and holiness from Jesus should be a natural and understandable desire.

What moments have brought me a sense of fulfillment, happiness, and joy?

I reminisce about those experiences that felt like a type of resurrection—moments when I've felt loved by my parents, friends, my wife, and my family. There were moments in the past when I truly felt loved and was able to give love in return. At the end of my life, those moments will remain vivid in my mind.

Love is therefore linked with joy.  If I desire joy in my life, God is telling me that I must remain in His love.  If I accept being loved by God and by others today, even in times of trials and difficulties, I can experience deep joy.  Jesus’ joy is not just human or earthly joy; it transcends mutual fulfillment—it's truly a spiritual joy.

 

 

4. Contemplatio (I Yield and Prayer)

 

Silence

 

Lord, the joy you want to give me this week is tied to Your divine love and the love I have for my fellow humans.

I do not seek extraordinary miracles or mystical experiences; I simply want Your help to remain where You expect me to be and do what You want me to do in my daily life.

The only source of my joy is to love You, Lord, by keeping Your commandments.

 

Silence

 

God’s commands bring happiness and well-being.

They are not burdensome. They are not designed to frustrate us or impose chains on us; rather, they fulfil us.

They do not sadden us but are intended to delight us completely.

 

Pause

 

Let me recognize Your joy in my life.

Let me be like the disciples who had Jesus in their midst but failed to recognize the love He brought among them.

 

 Silence

 

I immerse myself in what Jesus promises me, making the scene "live" in my mind this week.

 

Pause

 

I will consciously choose to focus on the joy of the Kingdom rather than what St Paul refers to as rubbish.

Each morning, I will ask myself where my joy is today.  I will focus on the positive and do so with Christ.

At noon, I will continue to cultivate feelings of happiness, concentrating on the joy and gifts that Jesus provides.

When I go to sleep, joy will remain my choice.

Every day of my life, I will let Jesus be my Shepherd. I will lack nothing, immersed in His love.  Amen.