Lectio Divina

Opening Prayer

One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire in his temple.

(Psalm 27:4).

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits.  Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thorn bushes?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

St Matthew 7:15-20, ESVUK

 

 

2. Meditatio (Reflect)

 

During the Trinity season, the word of God aims to align our human passions with the truth of Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection.  It helps reveal what stirs up disordered passions in our souls while offering higher ways or antidotes to control the inmost corners of our souls.

The passion identified in today’s readings is covetousness, this evil inflicted in my soul by the wicked and myself.  Jesus wants to cleanse our souls from pain stemming from envy and discontent with His gifts.  Covetousness is consuming and can lead to further disordered passions and actions.

Jesus ‘warning echoes in my mind: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of one’s possessions” (Luke 12:15).  The pain within our souls can also stem from false prophets whose motivations are rooted in deception and greed.  They seek to take away the precious gifts we have received from the Lord.  Their hearts are filled with greed, and their goals revolve around money and self-satisfaction.  They entice unsteady souls, and once they get what they want, they leave us with sorrow and pain.  Their human solutions only increase our struggles and sorrows.

 

Pause

 

I pray for the strength to avoid striving for unattainable ideals and envying others’ possessions.

Lord, heal my remaining wounds of pride and calm my soul.

Pause

 

I open my Bible and read the story of Adam and Eve.

The word of God, in the book of Genesis, illustrates how sin was sown in Adam and Eve's hearts.  The serpent led them to desire the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, highlighting the root of our suffering, and the desire to covet what is forbidden.

Adam and Eve faced a choice between the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. Sadly, they chose the latter, which began their journey into covetousness. They failed to embrace God's word and relied on their own understanding of good and evil, making themselves the measure of all things instead of listening to God.

 

Pause

 

When I turn to self-reliance and feed solely on my own judgments, I choose spiritual death, much like Adam and Eve did.  The serpent is the first false prophet, appearing as a helper while ultimately leading to destruction.  He encourages us to desire temporary satisfaction, unlike the healing that Jesus and His Church offer. 

 

Pause

 

The serpent stands as the first of the false prophets who fed Adam and Eve with the passion of covetousness.  He was the first to come disguised as a helper, a coach or benefactor, but ultimately he brought destruction, locking us in a cycle of desire that only temporarily satisfies our ego.

These false prophets do not offer the wholesome healing that Jesus and His holy Church provide.

 

 

3. Oratorio (Ask and Pray)

 

Which tree nourishes my body, mind, and soul?

Many trees appear attractive, but I must remember the lesson of Adam and Eve, temptation often lies in appearances.

I ask myself: Am I sometimes a false prophet?

 

Pause

 

I pray:

Lord, make me a true prophet through and through

One who listens before speaking,

Who hears without judgment,

And who faithfully represents Your message.

Pause

 

Holy Spirit,

When my faith falters due to worldly pursuits, come, Holy Spirit.

Heal my thoughts to reflect the love of Christ’s Kingdom.

When tempted by materialism and pride, let Jesus be my priority.  Strengthen me to love as I should, and make me ready to stand against the foes of Christ.

When vulnerability arises from sin, align my desires with Jesus’.  In a world that opposes Gospel values, help me share Your truth with compassion.

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield)

 

 I join Ron Rolheiser in praying to the God of stillness.

 

Still my sexuality,

order my promiscuous desires, my lusts,

my relentless need for more intimacy.

Quiet and order my earthy desires without taking them away.

Give me the grace to see others without a selfish sexual colour.