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Table of Contents Explanation of Lectio Divina Lectio Divina for the Retreat Feb 2021 The Gospel of Mark – In the Year of Mark All the following passages are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition of the Bible (NRSVCE). This is the version that is used in the Canadian Lectionary (the readings we hear at mass on the weekdays and on Sunday.). The reason I chose this version is so that we would be familiar with this version and when we listen to the Gospel being proclaimed, we can have a connection to its proclamation. We will not have time to walk through the Gospel of Mark in its entirety, but in a chronological walk through, life some major themes. I have included the paragraph titles following the readings, so that we can have a bird’s eye view of the development of the Gospel. St. Mark is particular in the order he presents the events of Jesus’ life. He does this to emphasize that Jesus’ Journey from the beginning of His ministry is always moving toward Jerusalem to accomplish what He was sent to do, save humanity by becoming the sacrificial Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world through His passion, death and resurrection. Try to read the passages before attending the live stream ‘Lectio Divina’ and allow the Word of God to speak to your soul. If at all possible, avoid printing the pages to save on paper. You can use a journal to write down words or phrases that remain with you and the that Lord is speaking to you. This is the Word of God, Divine Revelation, so expect that the Word will touch your heart. My scripture professor Fr Francis Martin would say to us in class, “Expect signs and wonders, healings and miracles to happen when you proclaim the Sacred Scriptures. It is not Just a story, but it is the power of God manifest.” Table of Contents Explanation of Lectio Divina ............................................................................................................. 2 Opening Prayer ................................................................................................................................ 3 Day 1 Feb 3 – The Announcement ..................................................................................................... 5 Day 2 Feb 4 – The Calling for the Mission .......................................................................................... 7 Day 3 Feb 5 – The Training for the Mission ....................................................................................... 9 Day 4 Feb 6 – The Battle and the Restoration ................................................................................. 11 Day 5 Feb 7 – The Healing ............................................................................................................... 13 Day 6 Feb 8 – The Mission .............................................................................................................. 15 Day 7 Feb 9 – The Glory of The Father’s Son ................................................................................... 17 Day 8 Feb 10 – The Lamb of God – Fulfillment of the Passover ........................................................ 20 Day 9 Feb 11 – The Conquer of the Rebellion … Death Has no Power Anymore ............................... 22 Explanation of Lectio Divina This explanation is taken from the Archdiocese of Toronto’s website (www.archtoronto.org) for a number of years. Cardinal Collins, a scripture scholar, has been sharing this method of praying through the scriptures. Here is their explanation: Lectio Divina (“divine, or sacred, reading”) is the name given to a spiritual tradition among Christians over the last two thousand years, in which they attentively and prayerfully read the word of God. Although there is an element of study in “Lectio Divina”, it is not the same as Bible study, or exegesis, where one seeks to interpret the sacred text through analysis, and with the help of the work of scripture scholars. In Lectio Divina we seek not to master or grasp the sacred text, but rather through it, prayerfully and silently, to come into the presence of God. We seek to be humbly attentive to God’s Holy Word, to savour it, and to let it enter into our heart as much as our heads, so that it may transform us. One approach to Lectio Divina is simply to move systematically though a book of the Bible, but it never involves worrying about “covering” a certain quantity of text: what matters more is the quality of our humble attentiveness. We choose a small portion of the sacred text, and reflect prayerfully upon it. Lectio Divina is not intended to increase our intellectual knowledge of the Bible (though it also has that effect); instead, it is intended to draw us closer to God, and to transform our attitudes and behaviour.1 Hearing Praying Reflecting Listening Connecting 2 1 Taken from https://www.archtoronto.org/lectio (Jan 28, 2021). 2 Taken from https://www.archtoronto.org/lectio/Documents/Lectio%20Divina%20Booklet%20- %20Sept%202019.pdf (Jan 28, 2021) Opening Prayer Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Invocation of the Holy Spirit to guide our time. As Jesus stated: “the Advocate,[a] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) All: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Leader: Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. All: And you shall renew the face of the earth. Leader: Let us pray. All: O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer to St Joseph in the Year of St Joseph All: Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.3 Pause for quieting the soul 3 Pope Francis’ Prayer to Saint Joseph taken from https://mycatholic.life/year-of-saint-joseph/#francis (Feb 1, 2021) The reading of the Sacred Scripture While the Sacred Scripture is being read, if you are comfortable, close your eyes to remove visual distractions, and allow the words to wash over you. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your soul. Place yourself in the context of the story. Notice where you are. Become aware of the scene around you. Be conscious of you position. Are you a bystander? Are you a character in the story? Are you an apostle / disciple / the perspective of the Lord? Let the scene come alive to you. If there is something that stands out (a word, a phrase, a feeling, a thought), make note of it. Silence Let the passage settle in your mind and soul. Rereading of the scripture Passage Again, as above, let the Holt Spirit speak to you, perhaps in a different way this time. Perhaps in a deeper way. Was there something that disturbed you? Was there something that challenged you? Is something stirring in your heart? Short Reflection Fr. Will now offer a short reflection. Prayer Response Leading in spontaneous prayer, we can offer to the Lord our hearts and minds. Sacred Scripture always invites beyond being a passive observer to and active participant. Faith is a response of the will. We choose to accept the invitation of what God is speaking to us and incorporate it in our lives. Final Blessing Following the final blessing, take time in quiet to write down a few reflections, let the “glow of the Holy Spirit” confirm what was moving in your heart. Perhaps write down a resolve of somethings that is moving you to action. Let God continue to guide you! Day 1 Feb 3 – The Announcement The Gospel According to MARK The Proclamation of John the Baptist (Mt 3.1–12; Lk 3.1–20; Jn 1.19–28) 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The Baptism of Jesus (Mt 3.13–17; Lk 3.21–22; Jn 1.29–34) 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” The Temptation of Jesus (Mt 4.1–11; Lk 4.1–13) 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry (Mt 4.12–17; Lk 4.14–15) 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”4 This Space is for reflection if you choose to print 4 The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (Washington, DC: National Council of Churches of Christ, 1993), Mk.
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