Lectio Divina for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy
“Praise the Lord, for God is good! God’s mercy endures forever.” (Ps 136:1)
New American Bible ©2015 by Benet A. Fonck OFM
Methodology for the “Lectio Divina” on Mercy For using this methodology it will be necessary to have: a) the given quote from Sacred Scripture for the month; b) the assigned prayer for the month; c) a means of taking notes, notes, that is: is: 1. either a journal or notebook or piece of paper and with with a writing instrument (pen or pencil) 2. or an iPad, tablet, or other computer device with notenote-taking capabilities. capabilities. Introduction: Introduction Pray together: Most high, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our hearts and give us right faith, firm hope, and perfect charity, with wisdom and insight, O Lord, that we may know and do your holy and true will, as we listen to your Word and put it into practice. Amen.
(St. Francis of Assisi) (Lk 11:28)
Phase 1: 1.1
Read the given text from Sacred Scripture slowly and and in silence.
1.2
Think for a few moments about the meaning of the text for you.
1.3
Write down in your journal a word or phrase or thought that jumped out at you when you read the text.
1.4
Pause momentarily for silent reflection or prayer.
Phase 2: 2: 2.1
Read the text again, this time out loud, either alone or as part of a group.
2.2
This time underline the words and phrases of the text that struck you or jumped out at you. Are these the same words or phrases as those you copied into your journal? What What is the Spirit revealing to you at this time?
2.3
Using your journal or the piece of paper, explain why the words and phrases impressed you and how they apply to your spiritual experience of receiving mercy and sharing mercy. You may write your impressions impressions as prose or poetry, or sketch them, find an image or photo to illustrate them, select select or compose a song or songsong-refrain to express them, or create a gesture or dance to embody them.
2.4
Pause momentarily for silent reflection or prayer.
Phase 3: 3: 3.1 3.1
Read the text for the third time, again aloud.
3.2
Think for a few moments about the meaning of the text for you. 2
3.3
Share with those in the group what the text says to you about “mercy.” (If you are working alone, then share your thoughts by contacting contacting someone by phone or email or text or by Facebook or Twitter or other means of social media.)
3.4
Using your journal, write your own simple oneone-sentence prayer that results from your reflection on mercy through the given quote from Sacred Scripture.
3.5
Pause momentarily for silent reflection or prayer.
Phase 4: 4: 4.1
All pray together: Show us, Lord, your mercy; grant us your salvation.
(Ps 85:8)
4.2
Share your own oneone-sentence prayer.
4.3
Pray together the assigned prayer for the month (given at the end of the scriptural passage for the month). month).
4.4
Conclude with the following prayer: Merciful Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit we ask you: open our eyes to discover your mercy; sensitize our ears to hear your words of mercy; clear our minds to understand your mercy; soften our wills to seek your mercy; prepare our hearts to ask for your mercy; loosen our tongues to thank you for your mercy; liberate our spirits to receive your mercy; free our feet and our arms to share your mercy with others. Let us enfold others in mercy as you enfold and hold us forever in a mercy that raises us up to bask in the loving kindness of so good a Father. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Scripture Reading for July: July: Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him. You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; turn not away lest you fall. You who fear the Lord, trust him; and your reward will not be lost. You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. (Sir 2:6-9) Welcome is his mercy in time of distress as rain clouds in time of drought. (Sir 35:24) For how great the mercy of the Lord, his forgiveness of those who return to him! (Sir 17:24) That is why the Lord is patient with people and showers upon them his mercy. God sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more. A human being may be merciful to one’s fellow human, but the Lord’s mercy reaches all flesh, reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock. (Sir 18:9-12) God does not withdraw his mercy, nor permit even one of his promises to fail. (Sir 47:22)
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Assigned Prayer for July: July: L: ALL:
Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven. (Ps 31:1) Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.
L:
Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. (Heb 4:16) Godly sorrow produces a salutary repentance without regret, but worldly sorrow produces death. (2 Cor 7:10)
ALL:
Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.
L:
If we acknowledge our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. (I Jn 1:9)
ALL:
Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.
L:
Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy. (Prov 28:13)
ALL:
Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.
L:
Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. (Jas 5:16)
ALL:
Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.
L:
Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him. You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall. You who fear the Lord, trust him, and your reward will not be lost. You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. (Sir 2:6-9)
ALL:
Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.
L:
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. 39
Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. (Is 55:6-7) ALL:
Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.
L:
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die! None of the crimes he has committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the justice he has shown. (Ez 18:21-22)
ALL:
Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.
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