Understanding and Praying with Scripture Rev. Ed Burns September 20, 2014

Introduction Fr. Ed Burns Ordained in 2004 for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at Wright State University since 2006

Resources Little Rock Scripture Study Bible (NAB or NRSV) “The Bible Made Easy-A Book by Book Introduction” by Fr. Tim Schehr United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

How do we use Scripture to discern God’s Word to us? Prayer Asking guidance of the Holy Spirit “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.”

How do we use Scripture to discern God’s Word to us? Contemplation “The first step [of interpretation], after calling upon the Holy Spirit in prayer, is to give our entire attention to the biblical text”

How do we use Scripture to discern God’s Word to us? “We only devote periods of quiet time to the things or the people whom we love; and here we are speaking of the God whom we love, a God who wishes to speak to us. Because of this love, we can take as much time as we need, like every true disciple: ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening’ (I Samuel 3:9).” Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, #146

How do we use Scripture to discern God’s Word to us? “First of all, we need to be sure we understand the meaning of the words we read…the biblical text we read is two or three thousand years old; its language is very different from that which we speak today…” “…our most important goal is to discover its principal message, the message which gives structure and unity to the text.”

How do we use Scripture to discern God’s Word to us? “If a text was written to console, it should not be used to correct errors; if it was written as an exhortation, it should not be used to teach doctrine; if it was written to teach something about God, it should not be used to expound various theological opinions; if it was written as a summons to praise or missionary outreach, let us not use it to talk about the latest news.” (#147)

How do we use Scripture to discern God’s Word to us? We need to read Scripture with the Church “Certainly, to understand properly the meaning of the central message of a text we need to relate it to the teachings of the entire Bible as handed on by the Church.” (#148)

Catholic News 10h Today's #Pope advice: Don't forget to carry Gospel w/ you all the time! Read a verse every day, "It's good for you!"#Pope Pope Francis, Wednesday, September 17

Praying with Scripture Lectio Divina (Holy Reading) Composing the Place (St. Ignatius) Liturgy of the Hours Lectionary for Mass

Lectio/Read Read the Scripture (5-8 verses) Listen to God’s Word What word/s/phrases speaks to you? Allow 1-2 minutes quiet time

Meditatio/Reflect Read the passage again Let Jesus speak to you Reflect on that message allow 3-4 minutes of quiet

Contemplatio Read the Scripture again Have faith that God is listening Tell God what is in your heart allow 4-5 minutes quiet time

Oratio/Prayer Read the Scripture a final time Be aware of God’s presence beyond ideas, acts, memories allow 5-10 minutes quiet time

Conclude with the Lord’s prayer or a Glory Be

Let’s practice…

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” (Luke 8:4-8)

Other means of prayer Composing the Place St. Ignatius’ favorite way to pray Place yourself in the scene what do you see? what is happening around you? what do you hear? what do you smell? what do you feel? what do you taste?

Questions?