It happened one morning in an 8th century monastery. On waking, the monks all dressed in their cells and then filed down the corridors to a central meeting room. There they quietly sat until a monk, standing at a lectern, began to read a passage from the Gospel of John. He read clearly in a leisurely manner verses 13-22 of chapter 2. He paused for 30 to 40 seconds. Then he reread the same passage in the same clear, leisurely manner. Again, he paused for half a minute, and then read the same passage a third time. When he paused this time, some of the monks began to return to their cells in order to pray over the passage. Others waited for the fourth reading and even the fifth before they too, left for their cells.

What was happening? These repetitive readings saturated their imaginations with a Gospel scene. This saturation would, of course, minimize distractions and encourage a frame of mind and heart conducive to prayer. Perhaps it would enable a monk to identify with some particular person in the Gospel episode, and even to discover the inner feelings of Christ. The mystery of the Gospel event would so take hold of the person at prayer that the past would become present through imagi-nation and memory. The memory of the person at prayer would be influenced by the memory of Jesus present now to the person praying.

How do we enter into the life of Jesus through prayer during this Lenten journey? First, se-lect a passage from one of the Gospels. Ask God to give you the grace to know Jesus more inti-mately, or to become more compassionate, or to be healed in a particular area of your heart. Slowly read the passage aloud. Than for 30 seconds or so look up from the page and let the scene sink into your imagination. Do a second oral reading, noticing the details which you missed in the first read-ing. Again look up from the page 30 seconds or so, until these new details fit into the total scene in your imagination. Read it again until almost all the distractions have disappeared. Now place your Bible aside and let the scene unfold in your mind. Put yourself into the scene so you can identify with the situation. As you take part in the scene interact with the people and reply to their words, converse with them. Don’t add to the scene by thinking how you should respond. Let the actions of those present speak to you. What happened to you during this time of prayerful reading? Has the Holy Spirit revealed anything to you? Finally, give thanks to God for the presence of His Holy Spirit throughout this time in His Word.

This method of prayerful reading has helped countless people over the centuries draw closer to God and better know themselves. Our Lenten journey should have some of these same results.

May God bless you as we await the coming of our Savior Jesus.

Pastor Greg