An intimate book with prayer and lectio divina as goal

For some time now I have owned the title, “Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina” by Thelma Hall. I have used it for prayer, and I have used it for lectio. The hallmark use I have put the book to is its selections of scripture readings for prayer. This is not to say that the purpose of the book, lectio divina and its prayer form, its reading form of the scriptures is to be ignored. No, the author’s writings regarding this method of intimacy with scriptures is worth the time to read.

A comfortable book, and by that I mean it is an inviting read, one can enter into the monastic method of prayer. Here, in the introduction, the author calls lectio an entry way to contemplation. It is “…generally accepted that contemplation was an extrordinary grace…” but here the intent is to open lectio and also contemplation to Christians as part of their spiritual life.

If I may interpret a little bit, the writer says that with this people can enter more loving relationships with others, and with God. A means to accomplishing this is through lectio divina. She says, “…we grow in love of God as we grow in any intimate love relationship…” A prerequisite is to trust God and know he is faithful to us. The practice of lectio divina is fourfold, and I have learned this method a number of times from others and Thelma Hall is right on the money as I know it. In fact, one may rely on her for this kind of prayer and relationship in prayer with God. The book has an integrity to it.

Though not specifically a how-to book, this is a mini-retreat and not so long of one in text form. The text part, not counting the scripture readings, is only 55 pages. Most people will find their way through that and find it fruitful.

The four parts to lectio: Read the word of God; reflect on the word; where the word touches the heart, or meditation on the word; and, contemplating the word of God. Through this we may come through the night to a new dawn. Or as I read it, we may leave behind some of our darker side and come to a lighter side of inspiration with scripture, and illuminated so gain a special relationship with God. This is reachable, to some degree, by most people who are so willing to be devotional.

To stretch the idea more, as an invitation, the writer says this is what to do:

“–To receive, and place no obstacle to the Holy Spirit.

“–Follow attraction to interior silence and remain in loving attentiveness.

“—Abandon all activity and let oneself be drawn into the darkness of God’s love, forgetful of self.

“–When it becomes possible to meditate again, do so, until and unless interior silence becomes habitual.”

The book is a traditional teaching, and Thelma Hall, a retreat leader is a religious (member of the Religious of Cenacle) in Bedford Village, New York. A book recommended to me by monks of New Camaldoli in Big Sur, the book is recommended by others interested in similar spirituality. The publisher is Paulist Press, a Catholic Church publishing house. I think anyone interested in expanding their horizons of prayer life and entering more fully into scripture will find this an interesting and worthwhile book that leads to a more fruitful life of the spirit.

–Peter Menkin, Mill Valley, CA USA

Embrace of God by Peter Menkin

Apr 24, 2006



Radiant Light, painting by Camaldoli Benedictine monk Father Arthur

I cannot say that the inspiration for this poem came from Father Arthur’s wonderful contemplative painting, “Radiant Light.” It does help the poem along, so it is here with this posting. The genesis was a moving experience of religious examination that has led me to believe that the healing quality of a relationship with God is a wonderful, practical thing. I do not mean this to be so much a personal testimony, but an introduction in poetic form to the relationship of divine love, as an expression of the religious experience and life. I think you as reader will find a resonance, that is my hope.

I have tried to add a substatement of theological reflection, and as an aspiring poet who does not want to be too self-absorbed, for contemplation is neither self-absorption nor navel gazing, I add that human love of God in Christ is also an experience that many Church goers share. 

 

The heart yearns,

wishes for warmth, finds opening

to the Lord. A deeper thing

like the blood that courses through the body

this divine love sustains life.

More.

In the secret of the self, within the psyche,

we yearn for knowledge with self recognition

of existence, Christ does feed us.

More.

The beyond

calls; mankind discovers something uniquely

greater than the mysteries that Intrigue senses and thoughts.

Easter reveals to us this greater than,

this renewal of the good, exploding with eternal might

there is love greater everlastinggift unforgettable recognized with prayer.

More.

With a knowledge of expanded eternity beyond

the measure of imagination–the gasp of surrender.

Promise that tells us God

Embraces the spirit of mankind.



Image: Painting by Camaldoli Priest and monk Father

Arthur, “Radiant Light:”

Camaldolese, Benedictine monk Father Arthur Poulin paints contemplative works, as he describes them. These shown here are selected from his many paintings.

Father Arthur lives and works at Incarnation Monastery, Berkeley,

CA USA–study house of Camaldolese monks located near the Graduate Theological Union, and University of California’s North Gate.

This description of his paintings, from I. wolk Gallery in St. Helena, California USA:

Father Poulin’s paintings have been acquired extensively by people here inthe US and abroad. Many of his commissioned works hang in churches here in California.