Step 1 of Lectio Divina – Preparation – Neal Tew

Step 1 of Lectio Divina – Preparation

As discussed in my remarks on Sacred Heart Radio.

Before we begin Lectio Divina, we take a moment to intentionally enter into God’s presence. We prepare our heart, our mind, our ears to listen to the voice of the Trinity who speaks to us from the revealed words of Scripture. There are many ways to do this. From the monks, I learned to raise a prayer to the Trinity, then to the Holy Spirit, then a prayer for mercy, then to the Father, in the words Jesus gave us, and then to take upon our lips a Psalm, as Jesus often did (Psalm 85). We close with a Gloria and then the beautiful prayer of Samuel.

Glory to the Holy Trinity, consubstantial, life-giving and indivisible. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

King of Heaven, Comforter, Spirit of truth, you who are everywhere present, you who fill all things, treasure of grace and giver of life, come and dwell in us. Purify us of our sins and save our souls, you who are goodness.

The Trisagion (this is a prayer from the Orthodox Church, derived from Is. 6:3)

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Our Father . . .

Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life for I am faithful; save the servant who trusts in you. You are my God, have mercy on me, Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. Give joy to your servant, O Lord, to you I lift up my soul. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of love to all who call. Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my voice. In the day of distress I will call and surely you will reply… Show me, Lord, your way that I may walk in your truth. Guide my heart to fear your name . . . God of mercy and compassion, slow to anger, O Lord, abounding in love and truth, turn and take pity on me. Give strength to your servant and save the child of your handmaid. Show me a sign of your favor that my foes may see to their shame that you console me and give me your help.

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Ps. 85:1-7,11,15-17

Speak to my heart, Lord, for your child is listening. 1 Sam 3:7

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LECTIO DIVINA FLYER

Here is the flyer with the details for my upcoming lecture on Lectio Divina.

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It is time for my fatherhood to fade into a graceful streak across his night time sky, like that shooting star: to give way in its light so that my son’s own light can shine.

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