May 2021: Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina
‘And you too will be’ (John 15:26)

Lectio: What the Word says in itself …
This is from the gospel for Pentecost. The Apostles with Mary are waiting and listening for the promised Holy Spirit. In this gospel, Jesus calls the Spirit of truth an ‘Advocate – who is sent from the Father.’ In the book of Revelation we are urged to ‘listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches’ (Rev 3:22). If we are truly and prayerfully listening to the Spirit we need to open our hearts to the Word of God now as a people who belong to a time, a place, a history, a geography, a context and a tradition. We are of the earth, of dust and from the clay there emerges an unexpected beauty which is part of our future. It is from this future that we belong to, our calling and vocation is followed which guides us in the way of God’s love. It is St Augustine who says to us: ‘Love and do what you will.’ We are relational beings and our true freedom lies in loving relationships. So much is given to us as an inheritance from so many people, before we are able to give ourselves in the way of love.

Meditatio: What the Word says to me/us …
‘The Spirit will lead us to complete truth’ are the words of Jesus to his Apostles. It was Pilate who asked Jesus, as he stood before him: ‘What is truth? Jesus tells us the he is ‘the way, the truth and the life.’ The presence of the Spirit will give us a share in this gift of truth. St John reminds us that ‘the Advocate will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you’ (John 14: 26). So everything that Jesus said to his disciples will unfold for them. Jesus spoke words of challenge and comfort, disquiet and delight, warning and welcome, also words of forgiveness, hospitality, welcome, inclusion, promise, peace and presence. The Holy Spirit dispels the fear that locked the disciples away. They were no longer afraid because the Holy Spirit led them to know and believe that they were in the hands and heart of an Omnipotence of Love. This is what guides the Church and continues across the ocean of history to inspire women and men to witness to God’s love.

Oratio: What the Word leads me/us to say …
Here we welcome the presence that is the action of the Holy Spirit. We ask for that same outpouring on us and on our Church and on our world and on ALL creation. ‘Send forth your Spirit O Lord and renew the face of the earth’ (Psalm 103: 30). Veni Sancte Spiritus is the prayer-hymn of the Church that invites the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts. It is called the ‘Golden Sequence’ and is one of four sequences that are a distinctive part of the Roman Catholic Liturgy since 1570. ‘The Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world’ (Ws 1:7) and ‘the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us’ (Rm 5:5; 8:11). Our prayer is one of thanks for gift in the Holy Spirit. This is God himself, the God who creates and gives life and who redeems and blesses us.

Contemplatio: Being transformed by the Word …
Where the Holy Spirit is God is present in a special way. We experience God in our lives – not as remote or distant. We feel and taste, we touch and see our lives in God and God in our lives. There are many names for the Holy Spirit, Advocate, Comforter (Paraclete) and ‘source of life’ (fons vivus). In the Creed we pray: ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit the Lord and giver of life, who with the Father and Son is adored and glorified.’

Actio: Putting the Word into practice …
Let us take the time to listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. This is a necessary spiritual experience we need in order to be able to pray, serve and witness together in God’s name of Love.

John Cullen
Editor