Author Archives: Holy See

Lectio

Passage: “My brethren, be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:
Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 2:8-10;3:10-12) (more…)

Today’s Lectio Divina is for Luke 18:9-14. This is the same for 28 July 2024.

Lectio Divina for 28 July 2024

Lectio

Passage: “Now it came to pass, as they went, that Jesus entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary. who, sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? Speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and art troubled about many things: But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Saint Luke 10:38-42) (more…)

Lectio

Read the passage carefully and attentively.

Passage: “To some who trusted in themselves as just and despised others, Jesus spoke this parable: Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (St. Luke 18:9-14) (more…)

Today’s Lectio Divina is the same from 6 July 2024.

Lectio Divina for 6 July 2024

The passage is the same from 8 July 2024.

Lectio Divina for 8 July 2024

Lectio

Read the passage carefully and attentively.

Passage: “Brethren, we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ: we are weak, but you are strong: you are honourable, but we without honour. Even unto this hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffeted and have no fixed abode. And we labour, working with our own hands. We are reviled: and we bless. We are persecuted: and we suffer it. We are blasphemed: and we entreat. We are made as the refuse of this world, the offscouring of all, even until now. I write not these things to confound you: but I admonish you as my dearest children. For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you.” (St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians 4:9-15) (more…)

Lectio

Read the passage carefully and attentively.

Passage: “Now these things were done in a figure of us, that we should not covet evil things, as they also coveted. Neither become ye idolaters, as some of them, as it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them that committed fornication: and there fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them tempted and perished by the serpent. Neither do you murmur, as some of them murmured and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them in figure: and they are written for our correction, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore, he that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed lest he fall. Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.” (First Epistle to the Corinthians 10:6-13)

Meditatio

Reflect deeply on the passage, considering its meaning and implications.

• Warning Against Coveting and Idolatry: Meditate on St. Paul’s warnings against coveting evil things and becoming idolaters. Consider how these sins were a stumbling block for the Israelites and how they can be for us as well.
• Consequences of Sin: The passage recounts the severe consequences that befell those who committed fornication and murmured against God. Reflect on how these acts of disobedience led to their destruction.
• Historical Examples for Our Correction: Understand that these events were written as examples for us, to serve as warnings and corrections. They remind us to stay vigilant and faithful.
• Humility and Awareness: “He that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed lest he fall.” Meditate on the importance of humility and the awareness of our own weaknesses.
• God’s Faithfulness in Temptation: Meditate on the assurance that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our capacity to resist and that He will provide a way to endure and overcome temptation.

Oratio

Respond to the passage with a heartfelt prayer.

Lord, I thank Thee for the lessons and warnings given to us through Thy Word. Help me to heed these examples and to avoid the pitfalls of coveting, idolatry, and other sins. Grant me the humility to recognise my weaknesses and the wisdom to stay vigilant. I trust in Thy faithfulness, knowing that Thou will provide the strength and means to overcome any temptation. Guide me, Lord, to live a life pleasing unto Thee, always aware of Thy presence and support. Amen.

Contemplatio

Spend time in silent contemplation.

Imagine the scenes of the Israelites as described in today’s verses. See their actions and the consequences that followed. Contemplate how these historical events serve as a mirror for your own life, showing you the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God. Let the assurance of God’s faithfulness and support fill you with peace and confidence.

Actio

Determine a concrete action to take in response to the insights gained from the passage.

• Avoid Temptation: Identify areas in your life where you are susceptible to temptation. Take practical steps to avoid these situations and seek accountability if needed.
• Cultivate Humility: Practise humility in your daily interactions, acknowledging your dependence on God’s grace and strength.
• Stay Vigilant: Regularly examine your actions and motivations to ensure they align with God’s will. Seek correction and guidance through prayer and Scripture.
• Trust in God’s Faithfulness: Whenever you face temptation, remember God’s promise to provide a way to endure it. Strengthen your trust in Him through prayer and reliance on His Word.

Lectio

Read the passage slowly and attentively, focusing on each word and phrase.

Passage: “And there was also a strife amongst them, which of them should seem to be the greater. And he said to them: The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that have power over them are called beneficent. But you not so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger: and he that is the leader, as he that serveth. For which is greater, he that sitteth at table or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at table? But I am in the midst of you, as he that serveth. And you are they who have continued with me in my temptations: And I dispose to you, as my Father hath disposed to me, a kingdom; That you may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom: and may sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Saint Luke 22:24-30) (more…)

Lectio

Read the passage carefully and thoughtfully.

Passage: “And one of the Pharisees desired Jesus to eat with him. And Jesus went into the house of the Pharisee and sat down to meat. And behold a woman that was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that he sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment. And standing behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet with tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. And the Pharisee, who had invited him, seeing it, spoke within himself, saying: This man, if he were a prophet, would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner. And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. But he said: Master, say it. A certain creditor had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence and the other fifty. And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most? Simon answering, said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said to him: Thou hast judged rightly. And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon: Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house: thou gavest me no water for my feet. But she with tears hath washed my feet; and with her hairs hath wiped them. Thou gavest me no kiss. But she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint. But she with ointment hath anointed my feet. Wherefore, I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less. And he said to her: Thy sins are forgiven thee. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves: Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman: Thy faith hath made thee safe. Go in peace.” (Saint Luke 7:36-50) (more…)