Monthly Archives: August 2011

In-Sight: Lectio Divina (6)

Posted on August 31, 2011 by

Contemplation (contemplatio) evolves into action (actio). In historic lectio divina, contemplation was the final phase, because it was understood that there is no way for the written Word to become the living Word without putting into practice what we have … Continue reading →

Posted in In-Sight

Shepherd’s Care: Prayer (2)

Posted on August 31, 2011 by

Before we leave Jesus’ pattern of prayer, I want to share one more post with you about it. The phrase “was withdrawing” has triggered a new thought in my mind.  I’ve already noted that the phrase in Greek indicates that … Continue reading →

Posted in Shepherd's Care

In-Sight: Lectio Divina (5)

Posted on August 30, 2011 by

Through meditation (meditatio) we “enter into” the text.  Through contemplation (contemplatio) we allow the text to “enter into” us.  Contemplation, in one sense, completes the process which meditation begins. The word literally means “with” (con) “the template” (templari). In the … Continue reading →

Posted in In-Sight

Desert Wisdom: Sober Living

Posted on August 30, 2011 by

Book eleven of The Desert Fathers is entitled “Sober Living.”  It’s not a term we use a lot today, but it embodies an essential element in the Christian spiritual life. The best synonym for it today would be “Singular Living”–or … Continue reading →

Posted in Desert Wisdom

In-Sight: Lectio Divina (4)

Posted on August 29, 2011 by

We receive and accept “a word” from our reading (lectio) phase.  Now, we meditate (meditatio) in relation to it. My favorite definition of meditation comes from Evelyn Underhill:  “thinking in the presence of God.”  That takes a lot of the … Continue reading →

Posted in In-Sight

Listenings: A Convergence Of Two Worlds

Posted on August 29, 2011 by

In our consideration of the spiritual life as a “whole-life” endeavor (what has also been called a “God alone” perspective), we must not come to think of it as becoming so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good. There is … Continue reading →

Posted in Listenings

In-Sight: Lectio Divina (3)

Posted on August 27, 2011 by

Prayer (oratio) winds its way through the entirety of lectio divina.  But after the initial prayer discussed in yesterday’s post, we move next to reading (lectio). We read systematically.  While there is nothing wrong with reading “here and there” in … Continue reading →

Posted in In-Sight