FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR A)

Liturgy and Prayer Resources for Catholic Communities

During Suspension of Liturgical Celebrations
Due to Coronavirus (2020)

During the period of suspension of public liturgies in response to the Coronavirus crisis, Catholics can take heart from one
of the key decrees of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) on Christ’s presence in the liturgy:

“Christ is always present in his Church, especially in its liturgical celebrations. He is present in the
sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of his minister, ‘the same now offering, through the
ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross’ but especially under the Eucharistic
elements. By his power he is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptises it is really
Christ himself who baptises. He is present in his word, since it is he himself who speaks when the
holy Scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly when the Church prays and sings, for he
promised: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’”
(Mt 18:20).

[Vatican Council II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (1963) art. 7]

If parishioners pray at home at the same time they would normally be together praying at Mass, there is a very real sense
in which two or three are gathering in Christ’s name, in the unity of their prayer rather than of their physical person.
Individual and family prayer based on the Liturgy of the Word at Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours and other sources provides
members of parishes and families with an opportunity to honour Christ’s presence in the domestic Church as those present
pray to God in thanksgiving for gifts received, and for the needs of the Church and the world.

RESOURCE PREPARED BY THE AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE

COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Excerpts from the English translation of the Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); the English translation of the Psalm Responses, Alleluia Verses, Gospel Verses and
Lenten Gospel Acclamations from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, ICEL. All rights reserved.
Extracts from Scripture (excepting Psalm texts), from Jerusalem Bible © 1966, 1967, 1968, Darton, Longman and Todd and Doubleday & Company Inc.
Psalm texts from The Psalms: A New Translation, published by HarperCollins Publishers, Ltd © 1963 The Grail (England).
Excerpts from The Divine Office © 1974, 1976. Hierarchies of Australia, England and Wales, Ireland.
LITURGICAL RESOURCES

WEBSITES
• Liturgy Brisbane
• Liturgy Help (Creative Ministry Resources)
• Masses Online and Prayer Resources (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference)
• Universalis

CREATING SPACE FOR PRAYER

1. Create a prayerful, welcoming space;
2. Include familiar liturgical symbols: water, cross, Bible, greenery/flowers and others as appropriate;
3. Light a candle and utilise music and singing;
4. Foster a reflective atmosphere of praise, thanks and intercession.

CONTENTS
• EXCERPTS FROM THE LITURGY OF THE WORD AT MASS AND THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS
• VARIOUS BLESSINGS
• VARIOUS PRAYER RESOURCES
• LECTIO DIVINA
EXCERPTS FROM THE LITURGY OF THE WORD AT MASS AND THE
LITURGY OF THE HOURS

+ Denotes making the Sign of the Cross GLORY TO GOD

(on Sundays outside Lent and Advent; Solemnities and
INTRODUCTION Feasts)
MORNING
All make the sign of the cross. Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of Good will.
V. Lord, + open our lips.
We praise you,
R. And we shall praise your name.
we bless you,
we adore you,
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
we glorify you,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, we give you thanks for your great glory,
world without end. Amen (Alleluia – outside Lent). Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
or
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
EVENING Lord, God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
All make the sign of the cross. you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer:
V. O God, + come to our aid. you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on
us.
R. O Lord, make haste to help us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, you alone are the Lord,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, you alone are the Most High,
world without end. Amen. Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
SEASONAL HYMN OR SONG OF PRAISE/ Amen.
THANKSGIVING

PENITENTIAL ACT
(see alt texts in Roman Missal (2010) 1578]

Lord Jesus, you were lifted up to draw all people to

yourself:
Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

You shouldered the cross, to bear our suffering and

sinfulness:
Christ, have mercy.

All: Christ, have mercy.

You open for your people the way from death into life:
Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

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EXCERPTS FROM THE LITURGY OF THE WORD AT MASS AND THE
LITURGY OF THE HOURS
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR A)

FIRST READING Ezekiel 37:12-14 (JB) SECOND READING Romans 8:8-11 (JB)
I shall put my sprit in you and you will live. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is
living in you, then he will give life to your own mortal
A reading from the prophet Ezekiel bodies.
The Lord says this: I am now going to open your graves; I A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans.
mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead People who are interested only in unspiritual things can
you back to the soil of Israel. And you will know that I am never be pleasing to God. Your interests, however, are not
the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God
graves, my people. And I shall put my spirit in you, and you has made his home in you. In fact, unless you possessed the
will live, and I shall resettle you on your own soil; and you will Spirit of Christ you would not belong to him. Though your
know that I, the Lord, have said and done this - it is the Lord body may be dead it is because of sin, but if Christ is in you
who speaks. then your spirit is life itself because you have been justified;
The word of the Lord. and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is
living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will
Thanks be to God.
give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in
you.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 129 (JB) GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Jn 11:25, 26

R. With the Lord there is mercy
and fullness of redemption. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

1. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord;
Lord, hear my voice! whoever believes in me will not die for ever.
O let your ear be attentive
to the voice of my pleading. R. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

2. If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt,

Lord, who would survive?
But with you is found forgiveness:
for this we revere you. R.

3. My soul is waiting for the Lord,

I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord
more than watchman for daybreak.
(Let the watchman count on daybreak
and Israel on the Lord.) R.

4. Because with the Lord there is mercy

and fullness of redemption,
Israel indeed he will redeem
from all its iniquity. R.

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EXCERPTS FROM THE LITURGY OF THE WORD AT MASS AND THE
LITURGY OF THE HOURS
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR A)

GOSPEL John 11:1-45 (JB)

If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,
I am the resurrection and the life.
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
Do you believe this?’
There was a man named Lazarus who lived in the village of
Bethany with the two sisters, Mary and Martha, and he was ill. ‘Yes, Lord,’ she said ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of
It was the same Mary, the sister of the sick man Lazarus, who God, the one who was to come into this world.’
anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary,
hair. The sisters sent this message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the man saying in a low voice, ‘The Master is here and wants to see
you love is ill.’ On receiving the message, Jesus said, ‘This you.’ Hearing this, Mary got up quickly and went to him. Jesus
sickness will end not in death but in God’s glory, and through had not yet come into the village; he was still at the place
it the Son of God will be glorified.’ where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were in the
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when house sympathising with Mary saw her get up so quickly and
he heard that Lazarus was ill he stayed where he was for go out, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the
two more days before saying to the disciples, ‘Let us go to tomb to weep there.
Judaea.’ The disciples said, ‘Rabbi, it is not long since the Mary went to Jesus, and as soon as she saw him she threw
Jews wanted to stone you; are you going back again?’ Jesus herself at his feet, saying, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my
replied: brother would not have died.’ At the sight of her tears, and
‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? those of the Jews who followed her, Jesus said in great
distress, with a sigh that came straight from the heart, ‘Where
A man can walk in the daytime without stumbling have you put him?’ They said, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus
because he has the light of this world to see by; wept; and the Jews said, ‘See how much he loved him!’ But
there were some who remarked, ‘He opened the eyes of the
but if he walks at night he stumbles,
blind man, could he not have prevented this man’s death?’ Still
because there is no light to guide him.’ sighing, Jesus reached the tomb: it was a cave with a stone to
close the opening. Jesus said, ‘Take the stone away.’ Martha
He said that and then added, ‘Our friend Lazarus is resting,
said to him, ‘Lord, by now he will smell; this is the fourth day.’
I am going to wake him.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if
Jesus replied, ‘Have I not told you that if you believe you will
he is able to rest he is sure to get better.’ The phrase Jesus
see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus
used referred to the death of Lazarus, but they thought that
lifted up his eyes and said:
by ‘rest’ he meant ‘sleep’, so Jesus put it plainly, ‘Lazarus is
dead; and for your sake I am glad I was not there because ‘Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer.
now you will believe. But let us go to him.’ Then Thomas -
I knew indeed that you always hear me,
known as the Twin - said to the other disciples, ‘Let us go too,
and die with him.’ but I speak for the sake of all these who stand round me,
On arriving, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb so that they may believe it was you who sent me.’
for four days already. Bethany is only about two miles from When he had said this, he cried in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, here!
Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to Come out!’ The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound
sympathise with them over their brother. When Martha heard with bands of stuff and a cloth round his face. Jesus said to
that Jesus had come she went to meet him. Mary remained them, ‘Unbind him, let him go free.’
sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘If you had been
here, my brother would not have died, but I know that, even Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen
now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you.’ ‘Your what he did believed in him.
brother’, said Jesus to her. ‘will rise again.’ Martha said, ‘I The Gospel of the Lord.
know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.’
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said:
‘I am the resurrection and the life.

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EXCERPTS FROM THE LITURGY OF THE WORD AT MASS AND THE
LITURGY OF THE HOURS
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR A)

SCRIPTURAL REFLECTION

A PRAYER FROM THE DEPTHS I AM THE RESURRECTION

‘Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.’ We have all been in On this fifth Sunday of Lent, resurrection hope is put before
the depths at some time in our life – in the depths of despair, us.
of grief, of sin – utterly lost and miserable, incapable of In the prophecy of Ezekiel we hear God insist to the people of
raising ourselves up. Our only hope is God and we have no Israel, who feel dead and buried in exile, that God is going to
grounds on which to oblige God to help us. We can only hope dig up their graves, raise them up and breathe new life into
in God’s mercy. them. God stresses that it is God’s own self who does this,
Psalm 130(129) is ‘the miserable cry of a nobody from acting and speaking for God’s people.
nowhere’, writes one commentator. Remarkably, this cry from We hear this same theme most dramatically in the Gospel of
the depths is the very cry that pierces the heavens, the cry to John where Jesus raises a man from the grave. God’s
which God is especially attuned. It is the cry of the Israelites promise in Ezekiel’s prophecy is realised vividly when Jesus
groaning in slavery in Egypt (Exodus 2:23–25), the cry of raises Lazarus from the dead. As in Ezekiel, so in John, the
the tax collector in the temple (Luke 18:13), the cry of the deep point of this event is that it makes God known to us.
repentant thief on the cross (Luke 23:42). Jesus says at the outset that the story will end in God’s glory
Having cried out to God for help, the psalmist is touched by and in Jesus himself being glorified. Below the surface of this
God’s saving love. He experiences forgiveness and is filled story runs the theme of Jesus’ coming death. In John’s
with reverential awe of God. Interestingly, he remains in the Gospel, Jesus will be glorified when he is lifted up on the
depths: the difficult situation he is experiencing continues cross. Ironically, when Jesus restores Lazarus to life he brings
but now he is at peace. He waits calmly for God to lift him on his own death, since this demonstration that the creative
from the depths knowing that this is as certain as daybreak power of God abides in Jesus disturbs the authorities.
following night. Paul teaches that if we trust God’s gift of resurrection in
In the final verses, which are probably a later addition, Jesus, then God will also give resurrection life to us, in whom
the psalmist now out of the depths encourages Israel (the Jesus’ spirit lives. As we approach the Easter feast we focus
community) to trust in God. When God hears our cries and lifts on this central mystery of our faith: resurrection from the
us out of the depths, we in turn are called to encourage and dead. We trust that ‘with the Lord there is mercy and fullness
support others going through their time of anguish. of redemption.’

Michael Goonan SSP Michele Connolly RSJ

St Pauls Publications and the authors have allowed the publication of this reflection
to support the spiritual needs of Catholics unable to attend Mass at this time.

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EXCERPTS FROM THE LITURGY OF THE WORD AT MASS AND THE
LITURGY OF THE HOURS

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS THE LORD'S PRAYER

Introduction Let us join our prayers with the prayer Jesus gave us:
Mindful of our baptismal dignity as members of God’s family,
let us place our intentions with faith and hope in God’s Our Father, who art in heaven,
unbounded mercy and infinite power. hallowed by thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
Intentions on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
We pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and for all and forgive us our trespasses,
bishops, clergy, religious and laity. May they be a source of as we forgive those who trespass against us;
spiritual consolation and healing amongst their communities, and lead us not into temptation,
families and employment networks during this time of crisis but deliver us from evil.
associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us pray to the
Lord.
R. Lord, hear our prayer. PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you are in the Blessed
We pray for all leaders of national and local governments. Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in
May they exercise their responsibilities with wisdom as they my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come
work towards the welfare of communities and individuals, at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already
particularly the elderly, disabled and other vulnerable come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never
members of society. Let us pray to the Lord. permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
R. Lord, hear our prayer. St Alphonsus Ligouri, alt. (1696-1787)

We pray for all public health officers, medical and nursing

staff, pastoral carers and health care volunteers. May God
abundantly bless their work as they seek to respond to
CONCLUSION
the Coronavirus emergency with compassion and effective PRAYER
strategies to treat those in need. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord God, you give the world new life
R. Lord, hear our prayer. by mysteries which are beyond our grasp.
May your Church not be deprived of earthly help
We pray for all women and men engaged in medical and while she makes progress by the strength of these
chemical research. May they enjoy every support in their eternal gifts.
determination to find vaccines and remedies for diseases Through Christ our Lord.
that plague the human family. Let us pray to the Lord. Amen.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
BLESSING
We pray for all who have died recently, particularly the
victims of COVID-19. May they rest in God’s loving care and + The Lord bless us,
rise in glory on the last day. Let us pray to the Lord. and keep us from all evil,
and bring us to everlasting life.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.

Conclusion
CONCLUDING SEASONAL HYMN OR
Gracious and loving God, you are the source of all that is SONG OF PRAISE/THANKSGIVING
good. In this period of medical and economic crisis, we place
our prayers before you, with faith in your unbounded mercy
and trust in your divine providence.
We ask our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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EXCERPTS FROM THE LITURGY OF THE WORD AT MASS AND THE
LITURGY OF THE HOURS
PSALM AND CANTICLE FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
E.g. Psalm 41 (42)
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God: 3. These things will I remember 5. And I will come to the altar of God,
when shall I see him face to face? as I pour out my soul: the God of my joy.
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd My Redeemer, I will thank you on the
1. Like the deer that yearns into the house of God, harp,
for running streams, amid cries of gladness and O God, my God. R.
so my soul is yearning thanksgiving,
for you, my God. R. the throng wild with joy. R. 6. Why are you cast down, my soul,
why groan within me?
2. My soul is thirsting for God, 4. O send forth your light and your truth; Hope in God; I will praise him still,
the God of my life; let these be my guide. my Saviour and my God. R.
when can I enter and see Let them bring me to your holy
the face of God. R. mountain
to the place where you dwell. R.

BENEDICTUS (Morning) Luke 1:68-79 (ICET tr.)

All make the sign of the cross.
4. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
1. Blessed be + the Lord, the God of Israel; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
he has come to his people and set them free. to give his people knowledge of salvation
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour, by the forgiveness of their sins.
born of the house of his servant David.
5. In the tender compassion of our God
2. Through his holy prophets he promised of old the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of
of all who hate us. death,
He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
and to remember his holy covenant.
6. Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
3. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: and to the Holy Spirit:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies, as it was in the beginning,
free to worship him without fear, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

MAGNIFICAT (Evening) Luke 1:46-55 (ICET tr.)

All make the sign of the cross. 4. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
1. My soul + proclaims the greatness of the Lord, He has filled the hungry with good things,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour and the rich he has sent away empty.
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
5. He has come to the help of his servant Israel
2. From this day all generations will call me blessed: for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the Almighty has done great things for me, the promise he made to our fathers,
and holy is his name. to Abraham and his children for ever.

3. He has mercy on those who fear him 6. Glory to the Father, and to the Son
in every generation. and to the Holy Spirit:
He has shown the strength of his arm, as it was in the beginning, is now,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit. and will be forever. Amen.

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VARIOUS PRAYER RESOURCES

PRAYER FROM VOTIVE A PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE

MASS FOR THE SICK Almighty and all-merciful God,
[Roman Missal (2010) p. 1378] lover of the human race, healer of all our wounds,
Collect in whom there is no shadow of death,
Let us pray: save us in this time of crisis;
O God, who willed that our infirmities grant wisdom and courage to our leaders;
be borne by your Only Begotten Son watch over all medical people
to show the value of human suffering, as they tend the sick and work for a cure;
listen in kindness to our prayers stir in us a sense of solidarity beyond all isolation;
for our brothers and sisters who are sick; if our doors are closed, let our hearts be open.
grant that all who are oppressed by pain, By the power of your love destroy the virus of fear,
distress or other afflictions that hope may never die
may know that they are chosen and the light of Easter, the triumph of life,
among those proclaimed blessed may shine upon us and the whole world.
and are united to Christ Through Jesus Christ, the Lord risen from the dead,
in his suffering for the salvation of the world. who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Amen.
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Holy Mary, health of the sick, pray for us.
one God, for ever and ever.
St Joseph, guardian of us all, pray for us.
Amen.
The Most Reverend Mark Coleridge
Archbishop of Brisbane

ECUMENICAL PRAYER FROM THE POPE FRANCIS' PRAYER TO MARY DURING

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
The National Council of Churches, who have invited all of O Mary,
us to pray this prayer at 7pm each day, but especially on you always shine on our path
Sunday 29 March which we will mark as a National Day of as a sign of salvation and of hope.
Prayer in this time of crisis: We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping
Gracious God, your faith firm.
We give thanks anew for your providence and presence. You, Salvation of the Roman People,
We prayerfully seek your grace, amidst COVID-19 here and know what we need,
overseas. and we are sure you will provide
We pray for those in need of healing. so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
We pray for your peace with those who are anxious or we may return to joy and to feasting
grieving. after this time of trial.
We pray you will continue to strengthen and sustain Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
all those who are serving in response. to conform to the will of the Father
We pray for your Holy Spirit’s discernment and to do as we are told by Jesus,
amidst the many choices and decisions who has taken upon himself our sufferings
facing our national, community and medical leaders. and carried our sorrows
We pray we each might see quickly what more we can do to lead us, through the cross,
to help those who are vulnerable. to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
This prayer for our nation in the family of nations, Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God.
with all that is on our hearts, Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial,
we gather now and pray but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and
through Jesus Christ our Lord. blessed Virgin.
Amen.
Translation by Catholic News Service

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LECTIO DIVINA

GUIDELINES FOR SCRIPTURAL REFLECTION

Ten Principles of Lectio Divina
(based on writings of Fr Michael Casey, OCSO
from Tarrawarra Abbey, Yarra Glen, VIC)

1. Recognise the value of regularity - lectio should be done according to rules: fixed times, fixed periods, in season and
out of season.
2. Allocate time. Nobody finds time; you have to make it.
3. Choose a quiet, temperate, harmonious, dedicated place. The place is more important than most people think.
4. Choose reading that is able to sustain your attention. Try the Gospels, one by one, taking a passage each day.
5. Vocalise as you read -- this will slow down the reading, and helps ensure that your words and your thoughts move
together.
6. Progress through a whole book -- “in order and entirely” (per ordinem et integro) it says in the Rule of St Benedict --
rather than leaping about within it, or between books.
7. Read closely, word by word, line by line; every word must be understood. It is all too easy to pass over words that
are unfamiliar, challenging or shocking, but these are often the ones that have something to say to you.
8. Allow yourself to puzzle over obscurities.
9. Actively attempt to make the text meaningful -- the purpose of lectio is to form the mind in Christ.
10. Activate, if necessary, the different stages: start with lectio (reading), then move to meditatio (chewing over the
words), then onto oratio (prayer) and finally contemplatio (when you allow the Holy Spirit to act in the heart). This is
not a method, but a description of what, in the experience of monks, happens in an hour’s lectio divina.

The Holy Spirit, says Fr Casey, is as active in the reading of Scriptures as He was in their writing. The power of lectio comes from the
Spirit being present in the interaction between Scripture and our own experience -- of life and of God.

Source: Austen Ivereigh, “Learning from the Master” in America Magazine

(18 July 2009)
(https://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/learning-lectio-master)

Further Reading: Michael Casey, Sacred Reading: The Art of Lectio Divina. Ligouri Publications, 1996.

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