杏MAP导航

By Lydia O'Kane

鈥淭he words of the Sacred Scripture were not written to remain imprisoned on papyrus, parchment or paper, but to be received by a person who prays, making them blossom in his or her heart.鈥� Those were 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� words during his Catechesis at his Wednesday General Audience.

Bible written for each one of us

Reflecting this week on prayer that accompanies the reading of Sacred Scripture, the 杏MAP导航 underlined that the Bible was written for every one of us individually, to bring us 鈥渁 word of God.鈥�

This experience, he said, happens to all believers. A passage from the Scripture, heard many times already, unexpectedly will speak to a person one day, and enlighten a situation that  they are living, offering fresh insights and often challenging our habitual way of thinking about and seeing the world.

However, the 杏MAP导航 stressed that it was necessary 鈥渢hat I, that day, be present for that appointment with that Word,鈥� in order for it to sow a seed 鈥渋n the soil of our lives.鈥�

Christians as tabernacles

杏MAP导航 Francis noted, 鈥淭hrough prayer a new incarnation of the Word takes place. And we are the 'tabernacles' where the words of God want to be welcomed and preserved, so that they may visit the world.鈥�

He went on to say, 鈥淭he believer does not turn to the Holy Scriptures to support his or her own philosophical and moral view, but because he or she hopes for an encounter; the believer knows that they were written in the Holy Spirit.鈥�

It is a grace, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渢o be able to recognize oneself in this passage or that character, in this or that situation.鈥�

In off-the-cuff remarks, 杏MAP导航 Francis said that it irritated him  鈥渢o hear  Christians reciting Bible verses 'like parrots'." He went to say that it was important to encounter the Lord with the heart and not just to recite a verse from memory.

Lectio divina

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to describe how the Christian tradition is rich in experiences and reflections on prayer with the Sacred Scripture.

In particular, he observed, 鈥渢he method of 鈥�Lectio divina鈥� has been established; it originated in monastic circles, but is now also practised by Christians who frequent their parishes.鈥�

鈥淥ne then enters into dialogue with Scripture,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渟o that those words become a cause for meditation and prayer,鈥� while also asking what it 鈥渟ays to me鈥�.

The last step of Lectio divina, explained the 杏MAP导航, is contemplation. 鈥淲ords and thoughts give way here to love.鈥�

 鈥淭he biblical text remains, but like a mirror, like an icon to be contemplated,鈥� he said.

Concluding his Catechesis, the 杏MAP导航 emphasized that 鈥淭hrough prayer, the Word of God comes to abide in us and we abide in it.鈥�

The Word a source of peace

鈥淭he Word inspires good intentions and sustains action,鈥� he said.

It becomes an inexhaustible source of peace, wisdom and strength as we grow in faith and give it concrete expression in charity and service of others.