LECTIO DIVINA  OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS


Brothers+ 

In the corner of the Bible belt that I inhabit, there
is a common misperception as to the meaning of the
word prophecy.  It is often looked upon as something
akin to fortune telling and sorcery which is condemned
in the Torah.  

The following piece is right on in its use of the term
“prophetic book.”  Here the author isn’t using it in
the sense of “predictive prophecy” but rather in the
sense of teaching with divine insight or authority.

Charles+
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Chapter Five (continued)

The Old Testament in relationship to the New Testament
is a prophetic book of things to come. "In it is seen
not only the past of the Church but also its future."
(104). Sacred Scripture bears this emblem of the
future in its sacred words. We await the final
completion of divine revelation in the Parousia, in
the Person of Jesus Christ transforming the physical
world into one of perfect harmony with His glorious
and divine Risen nature, totally subjected to Him. 

Lectio divina brings us into this on a spiritual level
where we encounter Christ through the scriptures
bringing us to affective prayer of the heart and to
contemplate the pure glory and holiness of God. 

Through these loving encounters we become subjected to
Christ in all things so that He reigns supreme in our
minds and hearts. Lectio divina brings to desire this
encounter more completely and perfectly in Holy
Communion where we adore the Eucharistic Christ and
his glorious Risen body. Sacred Scripture and the
Eucharist are both manifestations of Christ that feed
and nourish us.

Jean Leclercq, O.S.B., The Love of Learning and the
Desire For God. A Study of Monastic Culture. (NY:
Fordham University Press, 1961, 1974) 
ISBN 0-8232-0406-5

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