Lectio Divina

by Fr Jean Celestine Ngoma

 

 

Opening Prayer

O Blessed Lord, who caused The Holy Scriptures to be written for my learning,

As I hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, grant that I may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life that you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

(adapted from the traditional Collect for Advent 2)

 

Pause

 

As the deer longs for running streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, the living God. (Psalm 42:1)

 

Silence

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself

(Philippians 3:17-21, ESVUK)

 

Silence

 

I listen carefully for any words, mental representations, phrases, or concepts that seem to jump out. I was struck by the words of Saint Paul saying: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.”

The refrain is:

Transform my lowly body and Help me walk by Your side, Lord Jesus.

 

 

2. Meditatio (Rejoice and Reflect)

 

I begin by meditating on a twofold metaphor of Christian life, namely "sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11).

The Christian life is a journey.  We are all walking towards our final destination in Christ.  Those who started the journey of imitating Christ earlier than others are also still journeying.

 

My sequela Christi (following Christ):

I imagine a few saints, living and dead, inside different communities I have been through around the world whose lives are worthwhile imitating. Their trust in Christ and their conduct bear witness to the gospel.

 

My exodus:

I meditate on my life as a sojourner and as an exile awaiting my final inheritance. My journey is still full of struggles against sins.

I live in this world but no longer belong to it.

God is the one who makes me walk together with His saints. In Him, I live and move and I walk because He is the one who breathes positive energy into my body.

 

Transform my lowly body and Help me walk by Your side, Lord Jesus.

 

I then write down some spiritual battles that I face every day within me.

I also write down how I imitate Christ and glorify God in the little, day-by-day things.  

 

Transform my lowly body and Help me walk by Your side, Lord Jesus.

 

I contemplate Jesus in Gethsemane and walking and carrying His cross and inviting me to weep for my disbelief. While staring at Jesus’ image carrying His cross, I also remember my own Gethsemane, my journey along the dusty roads of Galilee and Judas, and encounters with people who are afflicted by sickness and pain during hospital visitations as a minister.

 

Transform my lowly body and Help me walk by Your side, Lord Jesus.

 

 

3. Oratorio (Ask and Respond)

 

Saint Paul recognizes that even if he has reached spiritual maturity, he is not yet perfected.  He is confidently inviting his congregation to join him in humble, but yet radical sequela Christi.

 

But why is it sometimes difficult for me to imitate Christ?

How can I abide in Jesus regardless of the circumstances we face?

 

Transform my lowly body and Help me walk by Your side, Lord Jesus.

 

Pause

 

Let me walk in the spirit this week, Lord, by yielding to Your divine control.

Do not allow my mind and my body to resist Your hidden healing.

While walking with your Son Jesus Christ, let me produce the fruits of the spirit:

Reset your joy in my heart, let it exhibit gladness, patience, kindness, tenderness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

May my body display your divine moderation and holiness.

And when I am tempted take full control of my thoughts, words, and deeds,

Filled with your Holy Spirit, let my heart reproduce sparks of joy.

 

Let me now sing with you using the words of the just man in a Psalm.

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield and pray)

 

And now, I yield as I prepare to take this time of prayer into the coming days.

 

Transform my lowly body and Help me walk by Your side, Lord Jesus.

 

Silence

 

Slowing my breath and relinquishing my worries, I open my hands to silently repeat in my mind the words that I remember from the Beatitudes:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

 Lord let this prayer echo in my mind throughout the week.

 

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