Sunday’s Gospel
- Lectio Divina

Sunday, 5 September 2010
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

 


Lectio Divina
This is an ancient form of prayer and literally means ‘holy reading’. It is a way of trying to hear God speaking a word of love to us in our busy lives. This ancient technique can help us in our busy lives to sit still and listen.

  1. LECTIO - Read the Gospel passage. Do this a few times, slowly, silently ...
  2. MEDITATIO - Ponder a word or a phrase that stands out for you. What is it saying to you? How is that connected to your life?
  3. ORATIO - Ask yourself 'what is the message here for me?' Ponder the answer for some time. In the Christian tradition, this can be a good time to talk to God and ask what it is that God wants you to hear about you and your life at this time. Is there an invitation here?
  4. CONTEMPLATIO - sometimes this message will stay in your head or heart for a day or so. Pray the word. Carry it around with you and live it out.

Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them,
"If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?
Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say,
'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.'
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."