Christian Meditation on the Glorious Splendor of Thy Majesty, and on Thy Wondrous Works, I Will Meditate

Christian Meditation On the glorious splendor of thy majesty, and on thy wondrous works, I will meditate. ~ Psalm 145:5

HERE is something ings and faith-filled lives in the human soul of God’s saints. Medita- that desires medi- tion is quiet time spent in T tation. The busy the conscious presence and cluttered life that we of God, as well as the live in society, at work, Blessed Virgin Mary, and and in our homes is some- the saints. For example, times a reflection of the by contemplating Jesus’ chaos and confusion in our words, such as, “I am the souls. We get caught up way, and the truth, and the in the world and lose sight life; no one comes to the Fa- of the meaning of life and ther, but by me” (Jn 14:6), the purpose that God had or by “sitting with him” in creating us. The prac- on the shore of the Sea tice of meditation helps of Galilee, it becomes the us rediscover that inner experience itself. By con- peace where we are alone versing with him walking with God. along the Jordan, we tell It is clear that we are him what we think, feel, in search of answers to and desire, and we listen what is most troubling. A to him as he responds. glance at any bookstore “The centrality of Christ and We come to know what reveals this; the number of he would say if he were self-help books is stagger- the gift of faith set Christian physically there. We tell ing. Many devote some meditation apart from all others.” him how we have failed pages to the benefits of to measure up, how we meditation of some sort. would like to change, and Because this interior restlessness is a universal ex- eventually we ask his help to bolster our resolution perience, most religions encourage the practice of to be better — more like him. meditation, and even people who are not believers Spiritual reading, works of the Fathers of the use meditation in their search for inner peace. Church, the Psalms — any holy readings are end- The Church respects the great spiritual masters of less sources of material to guide meditation. How- other religions who have taught the mystery of medi- ever, the Word of God in Scripture is the most pow- tation, but at the same time recognizes the fundamen- erful tool for meditative prayer. It is there that God tal difference between their disciplines and Christian the Father speaks to his children and calls them into meditation. The essential difference is Jesus Christ, communion with him. It is there that the mysteries who is both the path and goal of Christian life and of God are laid bare and his love and mercy are made prayer. While some aspects and techniques of medi- known. The reading of Scripture in prayer not only tation may be shared between Christians and those teaches us to pray but also teaches us how to listen to of other faiths, the centrality of Christ and the gift of the voice of God which, as the story of Elijah tells us, faith set Christian meditation apart from all others. is sometimes only a “still small voice” (1 Kgs 19:12). “Meditation is above all a quest” (CCC 2705). It Lectio divina is a special kind of meditation on the involves concentrating our thoughts, imaginations, words of Scripture. It is a Latin term that means “di- emotions, desires, and will on the words, stories, vine reading.” Lectio divina has been esteemed by the and events that fill the Scriptures and the holy writ- Church for centuries as a form of prayer that yields

The Association for Catechumenal Ministry (ACM) grants the original purchaser (parish, local parochial institution, or individual) permission to reproduce this handout. many spiritual fruits. All of us have favorite pas- mysteries, and meditating on them is sustained by the sages in Scripture that we return to time and time repetition of memorized prayers. The familiarity of again. Lectio divina is the practice of sustained read- these prayers allows the mind to rest from processing ing of the Holy Scriptures in prayer, perhaps focus- the meaning of words and from the energy it takes to ing on a particular passage, that enables the mind and formulate them. The words of the recited prayers help heart to be drawn into the mysteries of God. Holding keep the mind focused in prayer while freeing it to med- onto each word and allowing the mystery behind the itate on the mystery. The constant invoking of Mary’s words to be unveiled transforms this reading of Scrip- intercession in the rosary bears witness to her unique ture into prayer. Christ is the Word made Flesh (see relation to Christ and to the power that has been en- Jn 1:14), and so the reading of Scripture draws us trusted to her in drawing humanity to Christ through into a profound meditation on the mysteries of Christ. her divine maternity. Fostering a relationship with her The knowledge of Christ gained through this type of can only draw one into a closer union with Christ and prayer is of “surpassing worth” (Phil 3:8) but, like all increase the spiritual fruits of meditation. forms of Christian prayer, the purpose of lectio divina is Spiritual writers, whether old or new, and their not only knowledge but also union with Christ. “For methods of meditation are only guides. Our true the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two- source and strength for meditation comes from the edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints Holy Spirit, who reveals to us the mystery of Christ, and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the strengthens our will to follow him, and draws us into heart” (Heb 4:12). Lectio divina attests, more strongly a deeper communion with him. Therefore, develop- than any other form of prayer, to the power of God’s ing and fostering a relationship with the Holy Spirit Word to pierce into the mystery of the human soul and is vital for meditation in our prayer life. draw it into communion with Christ. In meditation, we live in the spiritual presence of Various methods to guide us in the practice of the Heavenly. We seek to penetrate the mind and meditation have been developed within the Church’s heart of God and his holy ones, examine our lives, Tradition. Some of the oldest traditions are the Bene- tell God of our joys or sorrows, praise and thank dictine, Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican, and Je- him, sincerely express our failings, ask forgive- suit schools of spirituality, all of which have been ap- ness, tell him what and how we intend to amend our proved by the Church for their faithfulness to the thoughts and acts to conform to his will, and ask his apostolic Tradition. The Church venerates these tra- grace to be more constantly aware of him in our lives. ditions because of the long history of spiritual fruit Briefly: think, imagine, speak, listen, express emo- that they have produced for the faithful. The Church tions, resolve, and ultimately prolong, through prac- is also open to the new movements of the Holy Spirit, tice, living in union with God. who continues to inspire men and women toward an Meditation can only take place within the mystery ever-greater diversity and richness of meditation. of faith. The Christian, out of his love for Christ, de- One of the most common and revered meditations in sires to go deeper into the life of Christ. While both the Church is the rosa- the spiritual benefits ry. In this meditation, “In meditation, we live in the spiritual of meditation and the the Christian strives presence of the Heavenly.” deeper communion to reflect more deeply it forms with Christ upon the saving events are gifts from God, (mysteries) of the life it does require sig- of Christ and his cho- nificant mental ener- sen Mother. The ro- gy on our part. Our sary is beautifully or- imagination, emo- ganized around these tions, and will all con- verge together with The Benedictine Abbey the mind in focusing Church of Mount St. Michel on the mysteries of in Normandy, France; Christ. construction begun in 1017 and completed in 1520, from (CCC 1177, 2650- a community of monks 2654, 2663, 2683-

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Christian Meditation — Page 2