Lectio Divina Prayer on Personal Experiences
On the way to my Florida vacation, I arrived early at the Hopkins airport, so I went into its nondenominational chapel. Only a young man from India was there. As I prayed, he came over, sat down next to me, and asked, “How do you meditate?” A half hour later, this Hindu had had a course in Christian prayer. You never know when or how God will use you! Speaking of meditation, there is a unique way to adapt lectio divina. You might be familiar with this “sacred reading” prayer, but you might not know that you can also use it to “read” the events of your life. (Lectio divina has four steps: 1. Read a Scripture passage until a word or phrase captures your attention. 2. Stop and ponder why that word means something special to you. What is God trying to tell you? 3. When you realize the word’s significance, the “aha moment,” respond to God with thanks, praise, contrition, joy, love, or petition. 4. Simply rest in God’s presence.)
These four steps can easily be applied to a memory. 1. Think of something that happened to you and replay it in your mind. What particular aspect “speaks” to you? 2. Reflect on what that aspect might mean for you. 3. When the light dawns, speak to God as prompted. 4. Be quiet and be aware of God looking at you with love.
Now for an example. On my first morning in Florida, as I entered the peaceful park along the river for my daily walk, I heard a thud. A lone workman had fallen backwards on the lawn and was having a seizure. When I called to another workman, he ran to get help. I stayed with the fallen man and tried to calm him, praying, rubbing his shoulder and stroking his curly blond hair while his limbs were flailing and blood trickled from his mouth. Soon he was surrounded by other workmen. One of them knelt next to him and turned him on his side so he could breathe. This man kept saying, “Daddy’s here” and finally, “I love you.” As he bent over his son, I saw a spider walking over the father’s curly chestnut hair. I grabbed it and threw it off. A girl passing by called 911. In time the young man quieted, sat up, and looked around with dazed blue eyes. The rescue squad arrived.
1. As I recall that event, I can vividly picture it. I experience it again as though I were watching a movie. What stands out for me is the father saying, “Daddy’s here.” 2. When I reflect on that and why it touched my heart, a number of thoughts occur. I think of the powerful love the father has for his son, the care he must have given him through the years, and his anguish. I realize that this is a modern day repetition of the Gospel story of the man who begs Jesus to help him because his son has seizures and falls into the fire. 3. I respond by asking Jesus to cure the young man I encountered and so remove the pain from the father’s heart. 4. I’m silent.
As with lectio divina in reading scripture, the steps can be repeated. The next time I pray over my experience in the park, I might be attracted to the fact that I lifted off the spider with my bare hands. (My sister sprays them with hairspray and waits until her husband comes home to dispose of them . . . and I share her horror of spiders.) On the other hand, I might draw other meanings for me from the words “Daddy’s here.”
You might try “reading” an experience of yours. If you do, how did you find this prayer method? Would you do it again?
An Attitude of Gratitude
This week I am on vacation. But here is a thought-provoking and beautiful 5-minute video to view. It comes on after the ad and begins with a little girl’s comments.
Positive Words: In Praise of Praise, Part 2
The art of patting someone on the back is not complicated. First we have to train ourselves to see goodness. For instance, we can spare a child the ignominy of being a total failure at needlework when she crochets bedroom slippers if we ignore the lumps and uneven stitches and point out that the pompoms are positively perfect.
To be effective, praise must be sincere. Dishonest praise makes fools of both parties. It works more harm than good, as does all deception eventually. One young woman told her aunt that her bread pudding was delicious, although she almost choked on it. She has been eating double portions of bread pudding at her aunt’s house ever since! (more…)
Positive Words: In Praise of Praise, Part 1
Last week I wrote a poem for children about good words to say like “Please” and “Thank you.” This prompted me to think about good words for adults to say. Of course, words like “Excuse me” and “Thank you” are ingrained habits by now, but we might not always state what needs saying. I recall once introducing my niece to someone and remarking what a great job she does at her workplace. My niece responded, “Aunt Kathy, that’s the first time you ever said you liked what I do.” Hmm. I realized that perhaps I’ve been stingy with words of praise. We might mentally acknowledge someone’s success or good qualities and yet fail to let the person know our thoughts. We might take someone’s achievements for granted. I recall times when people have commented on something I did and what a boost it gave me. It’s an act of charity to say things like “Congratulations,” “I like how you always do kind things for people,” or “I wish I could grow a garden as beautiful as yours.” (more…)
Happiness Tips for When You’re Blue
On the news this week it was reported that 11% of Americans were on anti-depressants. That’s sad! We were made to be happy, and we wish it for others, saying “Happy Easter, Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas.” Why aren’t so many of us happy? Of course, we can blame the theological reason: original sin that stole heaven’s bliss from us. Still, some modicum of happiness is within reach here on earth. We know the joy that comes from a job well done, a surprise party, a newborn baby, a gorgeous nature scene, and someone loving you. Experiences like those leave us bubbling over with happiness. There are stretches of time when we are content, at peace and enjoy getting up in the morning. Joy evaporates, however, when tragedy strikes, stress builds up, or failure darkens our life. Sometimes we might feel blue for no identifiable reason. At such times we might cry, wish we hadn’t been born, try to drown our sorrows in alcohol, or hate getting out of bed. (more…)
