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SYNOD OF BISHOPS XII ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SYNOD OF BISHOPS XII ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS VATICAN CITY 2008 Part II CHAPTER V The Word of God in the many services of the Church "The Bread of Life from the Table of both God's Word and Christ's Body" (DV 21)

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SYNOD OF BISHOPS XII ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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  1. SYNOD OF BISHOPS XII ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE WORD OF GODIN THE LIFE AND MISSIONOF THE CHURCH INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS VATICAN CITY2008 Part II CHAPTER V The Word of God in the many services of the Church"The Bread of Life from the Table of both God's Word and Christ's Body" (DV 21) Lectio Divina

  2. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. Praying with the Word of God is a privileged experience, traditionally called Lectio Divina. "Lectio Divina is a reading, on an individual or communal level, of a more or less lengthy passage of Scripture, received as the word of God and leading, at the prompting of the Spirit, to meditation, prayer and contemplation" (PONTIFICIA COMMISSIO BIBLICA, L’interprétation de la Bible dans l’Église (15.04.1993), IV, C 2: Enchiridion Vaticanum 13, EDB, Bologna 1995, p. 1718.).

  3. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. The whole Church seems again to be giving specific attention to Lectio Divina. In some places, people have traditionally employed it. In certain dioceses, the practice has progressively increased after the Second Vatican Council. Many communities are seeing it as a new form of prayer and Christian spirituality of significant benefit in the ecumenical movement. At the same time, some see the need to take into consideration the real possibilities among the faithful and adapt this classic form to different situations in such a way as to conserve the essence of this reading in prayer, while highlighting its nutritive value for a person’s faith.

  4. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. Lectio Divina is a reading of the Bible which goes back to the beginnings of Christianity and has been a part of the Church throughout her history. Monasteries kept the practice alive.

  5. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. Today, however, the Spirit, through the Magisterium, proposes Lectio Divina as an effective pastoral instrument and a valuable tool in the Church in the education and spiritual formation of priests, in the everyday lives of consecrated women and men, in parish communities, in families, associations and movements and in the ordinary believer—both young and old—who can find in this form of reading a practical, accessible means, for individuals or entire communities, to come in contact with the Word of God (cf. OT 4) (Cf. IOANNES PAULUS II, Adhort. Apost. Post-Syn. Pastores Dabo Vobis (25.03.1992), 47: AAS 84 (1992) 740-742; BENEDICTUS XVI, Meeting of the Youth of Rome and the Lazio Region (06.04.2006); L’Osservatore Romano: Weekly Edition in English, 12.04.2006, pp. 6-7; Message for the 21st World Youth Day (22.02.2006): L’Osservatore Romano: Weekly Edition in English, 01.03.2006, p. 3.).

  6. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. According to Pope John Paul II: "It is especially necessary that listening to the Word of God should become a life-giving encounter, in the ancient and ever valid tradition of Lectio Divina, which draws from the biblical text the living word which questions, directs and shapes our lives " (IOANNES PAULUS II, Litt. Apost. Novo Millennio Ineunte (06.01.2001), 39: AAS 93 (2001) 294.).

  7. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI specifies that this comes "through the use of new methods, carefully thought through and in step with the times" (BENEDICTUS XVI, Ad Conventum Internationalem The Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church (16.09.2005): AAS 97 (2005) 957.).

  8. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. In particular, the Holy Father recalls for youth that "it is always important to read the Bible in a very personal way, in a personal conversation with God; but, at the same time, it is also important to read it in the company of people with whom one can advance..." (BENEDICTUS XVI, Meeting of the Youth of Rome and the Lazio Region (06.04.2006); L’Osservatore Romano: Weekly Edition in English, 12.04.2006, p. 6.). He urges them "to become familiar with the Bible, and to have it at hand so that it can be your compass pointing out the road to follow" (BENEDICTUS XVI, Message for the 21st World Youth Day (22.02.2006): L’Osservatore Romano: Weekly Edition in English, 01.03.2006, p. 3.).

  9. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. In a message addressed to various persons, especially young people, the Holy Father expresses his heartfelt desire that the practice of Lectio Divina spread as an important element in renewing faith today. He states: "I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio Divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart (cf. DV 25).

  10. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. The holy father goes on to say: If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church —I am convinced of it— a new spiritual springtime. As a strong point of biblical ministry, Lectio Divina should therefore be increasingly encouraged, also through the use of new methods, carefully thought through and in step with the times. It should never be forgotten that the Word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (cf. Ps 119: 105)" (BENEDICTUS XVI, Ad Conventum Internationalem The Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church  (16.09.2005): AAS 97 (2005) 957; cf. DV 21, 25; PO 18-19; CATECHISMUS CATHOLICÆ ECCLESIÆ , 1177; IOANNES PAULUS II, Adhort. Apost. Post-Syn. Pastores Dabo Vobis (25.03.1992), 47: AAS 84 (1992) 740-742; Adhort. Apost. post-syn, Vita Consecrata (25.03.1996), 94: AAS 88 (1996) 469-470; Litt. Apost. Novo Millennio Ineunte (06.01.2001), 39-40: AAS 93 (2001) 293-295; Adhort. Apost. post-syn, Ecclesia in Oceania (22.11.2001), 38: AAS 94 (2002) 411; Adhort. Apost. Post-Syn. Pastores Gregis (16.10.2003), 15: AAS 96 (2004) 846-847.).

  11. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. The newness of Lectio Divina among the People of God requires an appropriate pedagogy of initiation which leads to a good understanding of what is treated and provides clear teaching on the meaning of each of its steps and their application to life in both faithful and creatively wise manner. Various programs, such as the Seven Steps, are already being practiced by many particular Churches on the African continent.

  12. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. This form of Lectio Divina receives its name from the seven moments of encounter with the Bible • acknowledging the presence of God, • reading the text, • dwelling on the text, • being still, • sharing insights, • searching together • and praying together in which meditation, prayer and sharing the Word of God are central.

  13. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. In various places, Lectio Divina is called by another name, for example, "the School of the Word" or "Reading in Prayer". Because of rapidly changing and oftentimes divisive situations in people’s lives today, the hearer/reader of the Word of God is different from the hearer/reader of the past, requiring that the clergy, consecrated persons and the lay faithful receive a formation which is instructive, patient and ongoing.

  14. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. In this regard, the sharing of experiences, drawn from listening to the Word (collatio) (Cf. IOANNES PAULUS II, Adhort. Apost. Post-Syn. Vita Consecrata (25.03.1996), 94: AAS 88 (1996) 469-370.), or practical applications, above all, in works in charity (actio), already being done in some places, can be useful.

  15. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. Lectio Divina should become a source of inspiration in various practices of the community, such as, spiritual exercises, retreats, devotions and religious experiences. An important aim is to help a person mature in reading the Word and wisely discern reality.

  16. CHAPTER VI Lectio Divina 38. Lectio Divina is not confined to a few, well-committed individuals among the faithful nor to a group of specialists in prayer. Instead, Lectio Divina is a necessity element of an authentic Christian life in a secularized world, which needs contemplative, attentive, critical and courageous people who, at times, must make totally new, untried choices. These particular undertakings will not be purely routine nor come from public opinion but will result from hearing the Word of the Lord and perceiving the mysterious stirring of the Holy Spirit in the heart.

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