LECTIO DIVINA COMPUNCTION We have already learned about fidelity, assiduity, and reverence as necessary virtues to carry on the appropriate attitude for lectio divina. Another virtue required for this disposition in lectio divina is “compunction”. “The term most often used in monastic tradition for the feeling that the Bible inspires in us is compunction.” (29). Lectio divina helps us discover our inner spiritual selves. Spiritual reading exposes “the wounds that life has inflicted” and helps us come to terms with them so that healing can take place. (31). Part of the healing process is our renewed understanding of authentic freedom that Christ gives that liberates us. “Living a spiritual life in obedience to the mandates of the Gospel involves considerable curtailment of options—the Christian is expected to abstain from a whole alphabet of vices from adultery to zoophilia. . . . We are not merely told to “avoid evil and do good” (Psalm 34:14), we are given the incentive and desire to do so. . . We come with a will that is receptive and ready to be influenced.” (31). Without this proper interior disposition of compunction lectio divina becomes nothing more than an empty reading excerise. “The world of compunction is the world of sensibility to God. We allow God to act upon us not only by the medium of ideas but also through our feelings. Imagine how artificial a relationship between two persons would be if it involved only ideas; no sight or sound or touches. . . It is emotion that bonds us with other persons. And so, we cannot relate to God feeling nothing.” It is the emotions through compunction that lead us to God. This relationship deepens. The deeper the spiritual life becomes the greater the transformation of the human personality into Christ. Ascetic nd mystical theologians speaks about “spiritual senses and spiritual touches” as a “felt presence” of God by “spiritual sensation”. (see Augustin François Poulain, The Graces of Interior Prayer. Enlarged English ed. (St. Louis, MO: B. Herder, 1951 reprint): xlii, Chapters V and VI). Lectio divina is a spiritual journey to God. When we approach it with the necessary care and appropriate dispositions of fidelity, assiduity, reverence, and compunction we have not only a spiritual guide but God himself. Michael Casey, Sacred Reading. The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina. (Liguori, MO : Liguori/Triumph, 1996). 151 p.; ISBN : 0-89243-891-6. Michael Casey is a Cistercian monk and prior of Tarrawarra Abbey, Victoria, Australia. ____________________________________________________________ Get advanced SPAM filtering on Webmail or POP Mail ... Get Lycos Mail! http://login.mail.lycos.com/r/referral?aid=27005