Lectio Divina Prayer: New meeting time

[Jamie]

Friends in Christ,

After several weeks of prayer group, several have voiced the
preference to meet an hour later.

We will be meeting for Lectio Divina at 6 p.m. on Sundays. We will
continue to meet in the Retreat Room in Dougherty Hall.

This week we will be hearing from Matthew's Gospel. Jesus, using a
parable, asks the opinion of the chief priests and elders. In this
way, our Lord tests those who hear and do not do, and those who hear
and do the will of the Father. The stakes are high, for publicans and
prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before the priests and
elders.

Gospel (Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Mt 21:28-32
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is
your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son,
go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,
' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other
son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, ‘but did not
go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The
first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and
prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came
to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax
collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did
not later change your minds and believe him."

Join in faith with other young adults this Sunday to share and to
allow the Word to drop into your heart, and discover the Word and Holy
Spirit working in you...what is God telling you in this reading? Is
pride keeping us from entering the kingdom? How would you have
answered Jesus' question? How does the Church understand this passage?

After mediating on the Gospel for the day, we can attend Mass at 7
p.m. to hear the same Gospel proclaimed in the Liturgy of the Word,
and then partake of the Word in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Let us call to mind the words of our patron St. Cyril of Alexandria:

"If the poison of pride is swelling up in you, turn to the Eucharist;
and that Bread, Which is your God humbling and disguising Himself,
will teach you humility. If the fever of selfish greed rages in you,
feed on this Bread; and you will learn generosity. If the cold wind of
coveting withers you, hasten to the Bread of Angels; and charity will
come to blossom in your heart. If you feel the itch of intemperance,
nourish yourself with the Flesh and Blood of Christ, Who practiced
heroic self-control during His earthly life; and you will become
temperate. If you are lazy and sluggish about spiritual things,
strengthen yourself with this heavenly Food; and you will grow
fervent. Lastly, if you feel scorched by the fever of impurity, go to
the banquet of the Angels; and the spotless Flesh of Christ will make
you pure and chaste."

St. Cyril of Alexandria, pray for us!


Source for quoted Gospel: http://www.usccb.org/nab/092808.shtml
More information on Lectio Divina: http://www.ocarm.org/lectio/lecteng1.htm