Fr. Chris - Second Sunday of Advent - Homily

Preparing to Meet the Lord with Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading)”
Part 2: Meditatio (Meditation)​
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“Prepare Ye, the Way of the Lord!” John the Baptist shouts above the crowd gathered around him. And that is exactly what we are doing in these coming weeks. Last week we celebrated lighting the Candle of Hope. This Sunday we light the Candle of Peace, peace for our world, for each other, and peace for our inner soul.
 
Indeed, it is a good thing to prepare ourselves, as we discussed last Sunday. It is important to exam ourselves: take note of our situations; check out our dispositions and temperaments in the face of trouble and difficulties; importantly, take stock of what we have done in the way of providing love and support to our families, our neighbours, communities, and even ourselves. Are we doing what we can to bring peace into the world we live in, and into our inner hearts?
 
The prayer of Contemplative Prayer, which we can experience through the prayer of Lectio Divina and which we continue to educate ourselves on today, is what our Church truly wants us to strive for. This prayer will enrich us with inner peace, and consequently bless each other with peace, in ways we can only imagine. Those who practice contemplative prayer will tell you: “There are no words to describe it. One needs to experience this glorious “letting go, and letting God” for one’s self.”
 
So, again, the 4 steps involved in praying lectio divina are: 1) Lectio or “Read”: reading a scriptural text; 2) Meditatio or “Meditate”: pondering upon the text; 3) Oratio or “Address”: appealing to God for feedback; and 4) Contemplatio or “Contemplate”: dissolving into total, silent awareness of God now in control.
 
This past week we were looking at a favourite or randomly selected brief passage from one of the gospels. We were not to analzye it, but only read it quietly, slowly, in silence, several times, even over several days. As it settled inside us, a phrase or even just a single word may have stood out for us, and began to tease our thoughts.
 
We might think of reading our passage as observing a giant field of corn or wheat, or a beautiful, vast garden of colour, spreading out before us. As we take in the breathtaking view, a certain stock of wheat catches our eye as it waves in the wind; or a certain flower nods its head at us, grabbing our attention.
 
This is the word or phrase beckoning you to consider it, to meditate over it. This is Step 2: Meditation, our homework for the coming week.  
 
But what is ‘Meditation”? In the case of ‘lectio divina’, the mystics say meditation is a deliberate ‘pondering’ or ‘wondering about’ the message emerging from the phrase or word beckoning us. Here are some pointers to help us to meditate:
 
1. It’s important to know Meditation is Not a ‘tuning-out’ of our mind, nor seeking to stop our mind from being active; nor trying to move beyond our thinking process, such as in the Eastern religions which have a somewhat different approach. Rather, in Christian meditation, we call it ‘calm thinking’, focusing on one idea, in this case, what is speaking to us from our scripture.  
 
2. In doing so, we seek the ‘middle ground’ of our thinking, not negating our thoughts entirely, nor allowing our minds to be overwhelmed by them. Instead we just focus on the word or phrase, returning to it each time we are distracted. When we start feeling distracted by other things, forgive yourself, be kind to yourself, and simply refocus on the word or phrase. We are all victims of distraction, that endless ‘chatter’ in our minds called ‘monkey-mind’. Do not be discouraged or surprised by the fact you may have to refocus and redirect your thoughts many, many times.
 
3. Meanwhile, think about what this word or phrase means to you. Ask yourself, “How might God be using it to communicate with me?” Perhaps there are images or memories associated with it, which God is using to connect with you, comfort you, instruct you, heal you, or simply just to be present with you.
 
4. If you feel moved to respond to God or ask God about this word or phrase, then you are ready to shift into Step 3: Asking God for answers, direction, or guidance. But we will look at this next week. … For now, we meditate!  
 
In the meantime, as we move forward into Advent, preparing for Christ’s second coming, we might ask ourselves something: What if he’s already come? What if he is already here among us? Something to think about, until next week.  
 
– Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario