Recently I read this statement from a progressive rabbi: “It is a sin to read the Torah as historical fact.” He then went on to describe the importance of reading scripture as parable, allowing the Holy One to speak to us through it. Ah, I thought. He’s talking about the Catholic tradition of lectio divina. Read more
A few weeks ago, my sister sent me a Facebook message asking me if I wanted to take a look at a new Advent devotional that some of her friends had put together. Now, I’m not usually one for women’s devotionals (or devotionals of any sort, for that matter). But my sister knows this, so Read more
When we were young, no one in our house was allowed to swear. Except Dad, of course. But his oaths were limited to “Damn” and “Hell.” We thought these words very daring and wondered if they were okay with God. On the other hand, Dad could yell at us, “I’ll thrash ye tae an inch Read more
This coming Sunday parishioners at Catholic churches in New Zealand will notice the Liturgy of the Word is a little different: the Gospel will be prayed using an ancient process called Lectio Divina (Holy Reading). “This Lectio Divina initiative is a way the Archdiocese is responding to the plea of Pope Francis to make the Read more
This traditional way of praying scripture has become popular in a number of Christian churches. I think it began in monasteries, where monks sat at their evening meal, listening to the reading of the day. When a verse or phrase had meaning for a monk, he would leave the table and take the words to Read more