TOS029 Praying the Scriptures with Ken Hunter  for audio: TOS029: Praying the Scriptures – Truth of the Spirit (podcast) | Listen Notes       

Truth of the Spirit with Patti Brunner welcomes Ken Hunter for this episode of Praying the Scriptures as the series on Prayer-Reaching Out to God continues.   Praying scripture is not new – it dates back to the early Church, and even back to the Jews.  Scripture is sacred, significant.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16. 

Jesus said, “ ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4.  This refers to Deuteronomy 8:3.  “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Proverbs 30:5.  Next, we should notice that the early church prayed the Scriptures in Acts 4:24 and following. In fact, they explicitly quote Scriptures. 

Praying scripture focuses on two aspects: Participation and Full Communication.  A daily way to pray the scriptures is with the Liturgy of the Hours and another way is Lectio Divina.  Ken gives instruction and samples of these and shares how, as a discerning member of the diocesan deaconate class, he uses the scripture to pray.

This podcast episode of Truth of the Spirit continues the series of Prayer-Reaching Out to God with Ken Hunter TS029 Praying the Scriptures.  Here are Ken’s notes.

1. Intro
   1. My name is Ken Hunter and as many of you know, I’m an aspirant in the Diaconate program
      1. Completing year 1 of 5, but really into the process almost 3 years including formal discernment and application
      1. New program this group which is heavily paralleled to the priest’s seminarian program
         1. Averaging 1 group / decade
   1. The reason I bring this up is to share with you the topic of today’s talk – because praying scriptures is fundamental to every part of the program
      1. Discernment process – heavily driven by praying scripture, and that focus has continued
      1. “Homiletics” cornerstone – praying and praying the scripture passage
   1. This talk is my privilege to share some of the aspects I’ve learned thus far
      1. “Shh” – it’s the secret inside story – ok, not so much
      1. Discussion, not so much a “talk”
   1. Before we get started, I reiterate that praying scripture is not new – it dates back to the early Church, and even back to the Jews
      1. Scripture is sacred, significant
         1. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16
         1. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
            1. Which refers to Deuteronomy 8:3
         1. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5
      1. “Next, we should notice that the early church prayed the Scriptures in Acts 4:24 and following. In fact, they explicitly quote Scriptures. Threats had been made against them and it says, “They lifted their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.’” They are exulting in what they know from God in Scripture. Then verses 25–26: “Who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed,’” et cetera. That is a quotation from Psalm 2. So, we know that the early church prayed back to God the very words that God had given them — for example, in the Psalms.”
      1. Psalms were (and are) sung prayers in Judaism
      1. Just like we learned in the “Praying in Tongues talk”, “we do not know how to pray as we ought” Romans 8:26, but we can use God’s own words instead
   1. Really praying scripture focuses on two aspects:
      1. Participation
      1. Full Communication
2. I want to start with the Liturgy of the Hours – participation
   1. Heard about it, but have never really explored it until in program
      1. Based on Jewish tradition of prayers throughout the day
   1. The Book of Christian Prayer
      1. Lot’s of flipping around – like the Missal (GIRM) with our own GI
      1. iBreviary
   1. Mandated for all ordained – all in world do the same at the same local time (roughly, with options)
      1. Optional for all laity
      1. 5 for Priests
      1. 2 for Deacons 
      1. Not mandatory yet, but doing it
      1. KEY: unity with all praying
   1. Structure
      1. Opening
      1. Hymn
      1. 3 Palms or non-Gospel Canticles
      1. Scripture passage
         1. Typically an Epistle, but can be Old Testament or Acts passage
      1. Gospel Canticle
      1. Intentions
      1. Lord’s prayer (praying scripture)
      1. Closing
      1. See evening prayer for today (don’t do, but see example)
   1. Scripture at Mass vs Breviary
      1. Mass/Daily Readings + Breviary readings … still not all
      1. But view in putting it together is: all 7 liturgies of the hours + daily mass = most
   1. My experiences
      1. Really started out with a little trepidation
         1. Thinking just reading
         1. No sure good use of time (must take a long time)
      1. Quickly grew to love it
         1. Unity with Catholics world wide, tying prayer and intentions together
         1. Focus on word of God
            1. Psalms – unique scripture where word are said to God
               1. Bishop Taylor talk – Hebrew, most difficult translation
         1. Father Daniel – it’s a commitment, not just a feeling
            1. Not there yet, but get it and ready for it
      1. Other praying scripture in unity?
         1. How about talk from a few weeks back = the Mass
   1. Not the first time I’ve prayed Scripture, but made me really think about it – why? We have many Christian brothers and sisters who don’t “get it”
      1. Remember – praying is the key to building one’s relationship with God, get closer to God
         1. It’s about changing ourselves, not God’s will
            1. Reflect on prayers in pauses – links to daily readings (often)
      1. This is praying God’s Will – choosing God’s Words instead of my own
         1. But still expressing all my lamentations
            1. They’re in the Psalms
            1. Add our intentions
      1. Prayer in unison is multiplicate for each
      1. Result = simply stated, for me, an enriched prayer life
         1. Tied to daily readings/mediations
3. On to the second part: full communication – Lectio Divina
   1. Have studies personality typing in our studies
   1. Myers Briggs
      1. Free assessment, descriptions: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
      1. Further grouped into 4 main categories
         1. The first criterion, Extraversion – Introversion, signifies the source and direction of a person’s energy expression. An extravert’s source and direction of energy expression is mainly in the external world, while an introvert has a source of energy mainly in their own internal world.
         1. The second criterion, Sensing – Intuition, represents the method by which someone perceives information. Sensing means that a person mainly believes information he or she receives directly from the external world. Intuition means that a person believes mainly information he or she receives from the internal or imaginative world.
         1. The third criterion, Thinking – Feeling, represents how a person processes information. Thinking means that a person makes a decision mainly through logic. Feeling means that, as a rule, he or she makes a decision based on emotion, i.e. based on what they feel they should do.
         1. The fourth criterion, Judging – Perceiving, reflects how a person implements the information he or she has processed. Judging means that a person organizes all of his life events and, as a rule, sticks to his plans. Perceiving means that he or she is inclined to improvise and explore alternative options.
         1. Our class example – INFJ
   1. Much written (and book) on effective prayers for personality type
      1. Ignatian contemplative good for some – putting yourself into scripture
         1. Warning – not mystical experience (new enlightenment/consciousness), but conversation with God
      1. Lectio Divina good for all types (= Divine Reading)
         1. Many variations
         1. Our version – Ignatian exercise on top of early church practice (steps)
         1. Written about by St Augustine and St Benedict, and others early church fathers
         1. CCC describes:
            1. “The reading from the Word of God at each Hour . . . and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, and prepare for silent prayer. The lectio divina, where the Word of God is so read and meditated that it becomes prayer, is thus rooted in the liturgical celebration.” 1177
            1. “Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.” 2708
   1. Key to LD: mediating on God’s Word
      1. Letting God speak to me through his Word – tell me the message he wants me to hear, at this time
      1. Time to listen as well as speak (pray)
   1. My findings:
      1. Same passage, different messages at different points in my life
      1. Living Word of God
      1. Through our program discernment, we would ask for (general) discernment help before prayer
      1. Group and individual
         1. Did in pairs with wife
   1. Guide – be comfortable, quiet and relaxed
      1. Sometimes nothing comes, be patient
      1. For me sometimes much, sometimes little, sometimes out of left field
         1. Reference to issue – made we find closure
   1. Step through example scripture below
      1. Do the group LD
   1. Result = simply stated, for me, hearing God communicate to me consistently and clearly
   1. Selections
      1. Many resources – key resource from my spiritual advisor
      1. Sword & the Spirit book
      1. Many, many others
4. Thank you for letting me share

References – Scripture & Catechism, Breviary, and Discussion Questions:

Colossians 3:16  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Matthew 4:4  “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. “  [refers to Deuteronomy 8:3]

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

Acts 4:25–26 “Who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed,’” [quotes Psalm 2]

Romans 8:26 “we do not know how to pray as we ought”

CCC 1177 “The reading from the Word of God at each Hour . . . and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, and prepare for silent prayer. The lectio divina, where the Word of God is so read and meditated that it becomes prayer, is thus rooted in the liturgical celebration.”

CCC 2708 “Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in Lectio Divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.”

Sword & the Spirit book

Breviary Evening Prayer – 31 May 2018

In those places where the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is observed today, Evening Prayer II may be found on Sunday, June 3

INTRODUCTION

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Swiftly you journey to the hills of Juda,
Virgin and Mother, treasuring your secret,
Eager to render service to another
     Favored by heaven. 

Your words of greeting thrilled the little Baptist
Stirred by the coming of the unborn Savior 
Prompting his mother to declare you blessed 
     Far beyond others.

Filled with the Spirit, you foretell the future
All generations will proclaim you blessed,
He who is mighty did great things within you,
     Choosing his Mother.

Peoples and nations ever sing your praises,
Mother of Jesus and their mother also,
Trusting as children in your intercession
     For their well-being. 

Mother of Jesus, you bestow great favors
Give us the graces needed for salvation
So that in heaven we may praise the God-head
     With you for ever. Amen.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Mary entered the house of Zechariah, and greeted Elizabeth.

Psalm 122 – Holy city Jerusalem

You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22).

I rejoiced when I heard them say: *
Let us go to God’s house.
And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city *
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, *
the tribes of the Lord.

For Israel’s law it is, *
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgment *
of the house of David.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray: *
“Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls, *
in your palaces, peace!”

For love of my brethren and friends *
I say: “Peace upon you.”
For love of the house of the Lord *
I will ask for your good.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

When you rose from the dead, Lord Jesus, you formed the Church into your new body, and made of it the new Jerusalem, united in your Spirit. Give us peace in our day. Make all nations come to your Church to share in your gifts in fellowship, that they may render you thanks without end and come to your eternal city.

Ant. Mary entered the house of Zechariah, and greeted Elizabeth.

Ant. 2 When your greeting sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Psalm 127 – Apart from God our labors are worthless

You are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9).

If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.

In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat, *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.

Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways. 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, * 
and to the Holy Spirit: 
as it was in the beginning, is now, * 
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

You command the seed to rise, Lord God, though the farmer is unaware. Grant that those who labor for you may trust not in their own work but in your help. Remembering that the land is brought to flower not with human tears but with those of your Son, may the Church rely only upon your gifts.

Ant. When your greeting sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Ant. 3 Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10 – God our Savior

Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ
who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him *
before the world began 
to be holy *
and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us †
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, *
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is God’s favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out in Christ, *
in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him, *
in the heavens and on earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

READING – 1 Peter 5:5b-7

In your relations with one another clothe yourselves with humility, God “is stern with the arrogant but to the humble he shows kindness.” Bow humbly under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time he may lift you high. Cast all your care on him because he cares for you.

RESPONSORY

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
– Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
– The Lord is with you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

GOSPEL CANTICLE

Ant. All generations will call me blessed; the Lord has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

Canticle of Mary Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. All generations will call me blessed; the Lord has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us praise God our Almighty Father, who wished that Mary, his Son’s mother, be celebrated by each generation. Now in need we ask:

O God, worker of miracles, you made the Immaculate Virgin Mary share body and soul in your Son’s glory in heaven,
– direct the hearts of your children to that same glory.

You made Mary our mother. Through her intercession grant strength to the weak, comfort to the sorrowing, pardon to sinners,
– salvation and peace to all.

You made Mary full of grace,
– grant to all men the joyful abundance of your grace.

Make your Church of one mind and one heart in love,
– and help all those who believe to be one in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

You crowned Mary queen of heaven,
– may all the dead rejoice in your kingdom with the saints for ever.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(Remember us, Lord, when you come to your kingdom and teach us how to pray:)

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Eternal Father,
you inspired the Virgin Mary, mother of your Son,
to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need.
Keep us open to the working of your Spirit,
and with Mary may we praise you for ever.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.

Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,

but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.

Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Preparation

1. Open to receive – mindset
2. Relaxed
3. Ask for the Grace you are seeking

(be ready to write, underline, take notes)

1. Read the Scripture – Reading
   Gather the facts, “Listen” for God’s word or phrase that moves your heart.
   (underline)
   
   
   
   
2. Read the Scripture – Reflecting
   Let Jesus speak to you.
   Reflect on the message – meditate
   “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this passage?”
   (circle/highlight)
   
   
   
   
3. Read the Scripture – Expressing
   Let your heart speak to God
   Try following with spontaneous prayer, talk to Him about the scripture
   
   
   
   
4. Read the Scripture – Resting in the Lord
   Sit quietly and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart in and through the silence – contemplate
   (journal)

Discussion Questions

1. The Psalms contain prayers written to sing for every need and emotion.  Have you ever looked to the Psalms for comfort or meditation?  Do you recall any responsorial Psalms used at Mass?  Share.
2. Have you ever noticed that the New Testament sometimes quotes the Old Testament in its teachings?  Why do you think this happened?
3. Which comment is true:  A. “Priests must say mass every day”  B. “Priests must pray the Divine Office every day”.   Why do you think this is required?
4. Ignatian prayer calls us to meditate on scripture by placing ourselves within the moment of the Scripture.  What are some of the ways we can do that?  How does that lead us into relationship with God?
5. Comment on tonight’s talk.