Holy Reading and Responding

For centuries Christians have followed a pattern of reading a passage from the Old Testament, a New Testament Epistle (letter) and a Gospel (account of Jesus’ life). Many churches follow a plan for each week called the Common Lectionary. This brings together both systematic movement through Scripture as well as balance from different parts of the Bible.

Experiencing this reading together with others under the guidance of a spiritual director can be a great way to develop the disciplines of Bible reading and prayer. So Central Christian Church offers “Holy Reading and Responding,” a guided, half-hour exercise in the classic steps of lectio divina (holy reading) as a mid-day respite in the Chapel. Come when you can, leave when you must from 12:15-12:45 PM each Wednesday.

The following Short Guide to Lectio Divina can be used for personal reading. Some may want to follow the four steps with one passage each day, or those who have time may want to use them with all three passages at once.

Lectio (Read): Read the passage carefully, getting the sequence and detail without thinking too much about the meaning. Imagine the time of day, season of the year, smells of the land, sounds of the countryside, the human touches – all the elements that would make this scene real to you. Transport yourself into the setting using your imagination.

Meditatio (Meditate): Read the scripture again. Why is there a record of this particular event or saying? What is the significance of this passage in the larger scheme of things? What does this piece mean? How does that affect an understanding of God? Of conduct? Do you see yourself in any of the characters in the passage?

Oratio (Pray): Allow your feelings to surface as you read the passage again. Do you feel happy, sad, angry or guilty? Silently or verbally talk this through with God; tell God what you feel about what you have read. Comment in you prayer on anything in the passage to which you respond.

Contemplatio (Contemplate): Sit quietly, breathe deeply and regularly, and let your mind go blank. As you quiet your inner self, simply listen in your heart. If you receive some impression or thought, quietly notice it; then focus your attention on remaining open. If you have no thoughts or impressions, return your mind to the scripture passage. After a while, open your eyes, rested and refreshed, expressing gratitude for your experience.

From Discover Your Spiritual Type: A Guide to Individual and Congregational Growth by Corinne Ware, © 1995 The Alban Institute, Inc.

Reading for May and June 2008

May 5-11 Pentecost

• Acts 2:1-21
• 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
• John 20:19-23

May 12-18 Trinity

• Genesis 1:1-2a
• 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• Matthew 28:16-20

May 19-25

• Isaiah 49:8-16a
• 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
• Matthew 6:24-34

May 26 – June 1

• Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19
• Romans 1:16-17
• Matthew 7:21-29

June 2-8

• Genesis 12:1-9
• Romans 4:13-25
• Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

June 9-15

• Genesis 18:1-15
• Romans 5:1-8
• Matthew 9:35-10:8

June 16-22

• Genesis 21:8-21
• Romans 6:1b-11
• Matthew 10:24-39

June 23-29

• Genesis 22:1-14
• Romans 6:12-23
• Matthew 10:40-42

June 30 – July 6

• Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
• Romans 7:15-25a
• Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30