This week we prayed the collect for Proper 22 and discussed read the Bible! What is the difference between study and a prayerful reading of Scripture? We talk about Lectio Divina, or sacred reading, how to do it, and where in the Bible to start! 

Notes:

1. The collect this week was Collect for Proper 22 from Book of Common Prayer, p. 234.

2. More information about our Bible Studies at St. John’s: https://www.stjohnslynchburg.org/bible-study

3. St. John’s merchandise: New Logo — https://www.stjohnslynchburg.org/new-logo

4. Lectio Divina= Sacred Reading. We go through four steps, or phases on the podcast. Not all of these phases happen each time you pray, so don’t feel like you have to follow these steps perfectly!

a) Lectio — reading the verse or passage, slowly, multiple times

b) Meditatio — Reflection on the text

c) Oratio — Prayer, conversation with God flowing from our reflections on Scripture 

d) Contemplatio — Gazing; being with God, resting in God’s presence at the end of our reflection and prayer.

5. Ben bungled the Karl Barth Reference. The “strange new world of the Bible” came from a series of addresses to a village church in Switzerland, not in his commentary on the Romans. Full quote: “What is there within the Bible? What sort of house is it to which the Bible is the door? What sort of country is spread before our eyes when we throw the Bible open?” (Karl Barth, “The Strange New World within the Bible,” The Word of God and the Word of Man[Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1957], p. 28)

6. To find the church’s daily office Bible readings, as well as Forward Day by Day devotional, go to https://prayer.fowardmovement.org/home

7. Give us a shout if you try a spiritual discipline we talk about on the show! Our emails can be found at https://www.stjohnslynchburg.org/

Join us next week as we try out Lectio Divina!