Sacred Readings for Personal Edification

[Lectio Divina]

Journey With Me
Contents

Foreword - [Bro.] Justus Van Houten, S.S.F., Society of St. Francis, American Province

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Preface – Martin Tunnicliffe, Chaplain of The Fellowship of Contemplative Prayer

Introduction

The Personal Journey

Sharing the Journey

Sacred Readings for Advent

Sacred Readings for Lent

Sacred Readings for Special Intentions

Sacred Readings with the Saints

- St. Augustine
- St. Francis

Journal Entry Notes

[January – December]

About the Author

Resources

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 Foreword

As a lecturer in spirituality at Newton Theological College (in Papua New Guinea), I

value the practice of Lectio Divina and include it in my course. Very often Bible study can
become merely exegesis and an intellectual exercise. The devotional use of scripture is
quite different. By allowing the Bible to speak to our imaginations and hearts as well as
our minds, the Holy Spirit can enflame our devotion and enliven our faith. The Good
News only becomes Gospel when it becomes a part of us and not just someone else's
ideas, thoughts, and experiences of God. The only Gospel we can proclaim is the
Gospel that is written on our hearts. Lectio Divina is one way of allowing the Gospel to
penetrate into our inmost being.

Cecilia Askew's approach to Lectio Divina includes two notable insights. One is that the
writings of the saints and mystics can be used as well as Holy Scriptures. These non-
Biblical passages reflect the Gospel as these holy people have internalized their
encounters and reflections of God. Their new images and understandings can
sometimes spark our own reflections as we are confronted with timeless
truths expressed with a new vocabulary.

The other insight is that Lectio Divina can be used as a corporate exercise as well as an
act of personal piety and devotion. The method she describes is one that I have found
useful within Franciscan households, seminary classrooms, and even with prison
inmates. It has the added dimension of accountability. What good does is it if we hear
the Gospel but do not respond to it? An intention to respond to it is a first step but to
actually respond is what makes a difference. To make a commitment to respond to the
Gospel in a concrete and confirmable way helps us to make the Scripture a part of us.

There is an old concept of "habitus" to make prayer, the Bible, and Sacred study a daily
habit, to become steeped in the spiritual life, for it to become as natural as breathing and
as familiar as our "boudoir." Lectio Divina is one of the tools to develop this attitude of
"habitus". Thanks to Cecilia for making this tool more widely known and available.

(Bro) Justus Van Houten, S.S.F. – Society of St. Francis – American Province

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 Acknowledgements

Once again, Cecilia Askew has made a sincere effort to share her wisdom and
experience with the people of The Bahamas and the world. I look forward to using it as
a part of my daily devotions and will certainly recommend it to others who wish to
deepen their commitment to God.

Rev. Angela C. Bosfield Palacious,

Coordinator Diocese 2000 and Beyond
Assistant Priest, St. Margaret's Parish
Nassau, The Bahamas

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 Dedication

This little booklet is dedicated first to the Sisters of the Order of St. Helena with

whom it has been my pleasure to journey as an Associate for over twenty years.

Secondly, to the Society of St. Francis who in November 2003 accepted me as an

Associate.

I am grateful to Fr. Luke Dysinger of St. Andrew’s Abbey who allowed me to share
some of his insights.

I am equally indebted to Brother Justus of the Society of St. Francis for his
encouragement.

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 Preface

From the early 19th century onwards, the sacred scriptures of Christianity have become a
quarry for scholars. Not that there were no biblical scholars before then, but whereas the
old scholars mingled their tasks with their faith and personal devotion, modern scholars
have had the option of scrutinizing the sacred texts in a pseudo-scientific manner, with
academic objectivity, detached from the faith and devotion of personal and corporate
Christianity. There are naturally some benefits in this approach, but it is becoming
increasingly evident that, if you treat the Bible in this fashion, it opens up the danger of
missing the entire point of sacred scripture.

Both the Old and the New Testaments were written “from faith to faith”. There is very little
in them that is academic, however much they may appeal to the modern academic mind.
The Bible is a prime source for conveying to humankind the living Word of God, in order
that our relationship with the Divine may be nurtured and grow. The Scriptures are
eternally relevant within “the household of faith”. Without faithful meditation, prayer,
and a contemplative approach, the Scriptures lose their point and purpose and are
emptied of their challenge.

We are fortunate that the understanding of the sacred in the created order can live on
and flourish in a secular world, as indeed it must if we are not to be lost and
overwhelmed in what seems to some people to be an increasingly meaningless, hostile
and love-less universe. The ancient and prayerful art of Lectio Divina will always help us
to listen more attentively to the Word which is “spirit and life” (John 6.63), and thereby
help us to be open to the Spirit of God, for ourselves as well as on behalf of others
whose ears may, for the time being, be closed to God’s living and loving Word.

Martin Tunnicliffe,
Chaplain of The Fellowship of Contemplative Prayer

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 Introduction

Romans 12:6-8 says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a
man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him
serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is
contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him
govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” [NIV]

My spiritual journey began in 1976 when I rededicated my life to the Lord and came to
terms with the fact that I would be a single parent. Spiritual growth over the decades
has taken many forms. In 1984 I joined a band of courageous women and became an
Associate of the Episcopal Order of St. Helena. This has proven to be the best decision
I could ever have made. It was through this involvement, which continues today, that I
came to the knowledge of Lectio Divina. Over the last few years or so I have found this
type of prayer more beneficial than any other. It is seeing me through grief and sorrow,
but at the same time, drawing into a more intimate relationship with my Lord. So much
so that I joined the Society of St. Francis as an Associate and have made Lectio Divina a
part of my Rule of Life. I would say here that I have also been guided in this practise by
the works of Fr. Luke Dysinger, OSB. I have been privileged also to join with the Sisters
at St. Martin’s Convent.

I therefore am persuaded to share the benefits of this model of prayer with others,
particularly those who lead busy lives. The book is by no means an authority on the
subject nor is that the intended purpose. It is however; my way of carrying out the word
of God stated above “if it is encouraging, let him encourage….” So be encouraged and
enjoy the benefits of a closer walk with God.

For further teaching and encouragement with regard to Lectio Divina, I encourage you to
purchase and read from the list of resources that have helped me and visit the websites.

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 The Personal Journey

The Christian journey is a special one. It is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that
is unique to each individual. Jesus Christ comes to us in different yet profound ways.
The religious of the early church found this out when they practised a pattern of prayer
called “Sacred Readings” or Lectio Divina [which in Latin means “sacred reading”].
Many Christians use one of the daily readings from a lectionary or scriptural devotional.
It should be noted that Lectio Divina could be done with the written works of others like
St. Augustine, St. Francis and St. Ambrose all of whom have written works that nurture
and help our spiritual growth.

Michael Casey in his book Sacred Reading – The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina says,
“repetition is the soul of genuine Lectio. It is right brain activity; we do not grasp the
entire content immediately but in a circular manner. We read and advance, then we go
back and read again. With each repetition, something new may strike us”. When I read
that statement it helped me to understand why a passage is read three times. From
experience, I know that after each reading it is possible for a new thought to occur.

The duration of time for Lectio Divina is varied. At first it may be all you can do to keep it
to ten minutes. Gradually however, the time span will increase and like the Sisters and
Brothers in Community, you may be able to go for as long as a half hour. The half hour
can be split into three intervals of 10 minutes or two intervals of 15 minutes. The Holy
Spirit will direct you to the time frame that is best for you. There are many sites on the
Internet that allow you to join in Lectio Divina, the Order of St. Benedict and The Call to
Holiness websites.

The following guide is for persons doing personal lectio or sacred readings. You should
note that the stages are not separate, but should into each other:

1. First you read a passage of scripture or prayers and prose purposely, letting the
words settle in your mind. Remember that you are gently being led into God’s
presence, seeking him in silence.

2. Meditate on the chosen passage letting it bring memories of an experience you

or another may have had and which has impacted your life. A word or phrase
may get your attention. Let it speak to you and the recollections that it raises.

3. Allow the meditation to lead you into prayer using the word or phrase to speak to
God. Rest in the quiet stillness of God’s embrace and then gently end the
period of Lectio. Most use the “Our Father Prayer”. However, I have found using
the first few verses of the psalms like 91 or 27 equally helpful.

This model of prayer enhances devotions and increases one’s knowledge of the
Scriptures. Throughout the world, persons are engaging in Lectio Divina on a daily basis
and you are encouraged to use this model of prayer. It is meant to compliment your
devotional prayer time not replace it. Lectio Divina can be done regularly at a separate

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prayer time or incorporated into your regular devotions; either way the benefits are
immeasurable.

Sharing the Journey

The procedure for Lectio Divina in shared community or group is patterned after the
model used and promoted by Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B. of St. Andrews Abbey in
California, USA. It has been slightly modified and is as follows:

1. The Literal Sense – Listening for the Gentle Touch of Christ in the Word

a. One person reads aloud [twice] the passage of scripture, as others are
attentive to some segment that is especially meaningful to them.
b. Silence for 1-2 minutes. Each hears and silently repeats a word or
phrase that attracts.
c. Sharing aloud: [A word or phrase that has attracted each person]. A
simple statement of one or a few words. No elaboration.

2. The Allegorical Sense - How Christ the Word speaks to ME

d. Second reading of same passage by another person [perhaps with a

different version of the scripture].
e. Silence for 1-2 minutes. Reflect on: “What inwardly do I see or hear –
what inner sense experience occurs – as I repeat this word or phrase
within me?”
f. Sharing aloud: Briefly: “I hear, I see….”

3. The Moral Sense – What Christ the Word Invites me to DO

g. Third reading by still another person [again using another version of the
scripture passage if available].
h. Silence for 1-2 minutes. Reflect on: “God invites me to do/be/become….
today/this week.”
i. Sharing aloud: at somewhat greater length the results of each one’s
reflection. [Be especially aware of what is shared by others.]
j. After full sharing, pray.

[Note, anyone may “pass” at any time. If instead of sharing with the group they
may prefer to pray silently, simply state this aloud and conclude your silent prayer
with AMEN.]

Before you begin, the following basics should be in place:

A – Choose a time frame that is good for you. [Early morning, Afternoon or
Evening depending on your schedule].

B. – Have a quiet place set aside where there is very little or no distractions.

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 C. – Sit quietly in a comfortable position and allow your breathing pattern to slow
down. Some advocate that using “centering prayer” or a “prayer word” such as
Jesus, Peace, Love, or Abba is helpful to begin Lectio.

Having established time, place and comfort area, you are now ready for your Sacred
Reading/ Lectio Divina.

Scriptures have been provided as help only. Please feel free to use scriptures from your
lectionary or prescribed daily devotionals. My experience has shown me that I can use
this method of prayer with special intentions or just to nourish my spirit. Let the Holy
Spirit be your guide.

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11
 Sacred Readings for Advent

[Praying the Psalms]

Week 1 Morning Noon Evening

Monday Ps. 34:1-8 Ps. 121:5-8 Ps. 96:1-6

Tuesday Ps. 5:1-3 Ps. 71:1-8 Ps. 11
Wednesday Ps. 119:1-8 Ps. 12:1-6 Ps. 14
Thursday Ps. 18:1-3 Ps. 117 Ps. 6
Friday Ps. 16:5-8 Ps. 26:1-3 Ps. 17:1-3,8
Saturday Ps. 25:1-5 Ps. 146:1-5 Ps. 100

Week 2

Monday Ps. 27:5-11 Ps. 84:11-12 Ps. 47:5-9

Tuesday Ps. 24:1-5 Ps. 95:1-6 Ps.138:1-5
Wednesday Ps. 28:7-9 Ps. 102:18-22 Ps. 119:33-40
Thursday Ps. 37:1-9 Ps. 144:1-4 Ps. 30:1-5
Friday Ps. 31:21-24 Ps. 1 Ps. 35:27-28
Saturday Ps. 32:1-5 Ps. 42:1-4 Ps. 42:5-11

Week 3

Monday Ps. 44:1-3 Ps. 63:1-5 Ps. 103:1-5

Tuesday Ps. 45:1-4 Ps. 47:5-9 Ps. 48
Wednesday Ps. 119:44-57 Ps. 119:65-72 Ps. 8
Thursday Ps. 24:6-10 Ps. 53 Ps. 29
Friday Ps. 62:1-4 Ps. 62:5-8 Ps. 61
Saturday Ps. 116:12-19 Ps. 111:1-5 Ps. 111:6-9

Week 4

Monday Ps. 23 Ps. 121 Ps. 113

Tuesday Ps. 27:1-6 Ps. 93 Ps. 96:7-10
Wednesday Ps. 89:1-8 Ps. 89:9-18 Ps. 89:19-29
Thursday Ps. 138 Ps. 139:1-2 Ps. 139:13-24
*Friday Ps. 80:1-7 Ps. 80:8-14 Ps. 80:15-18

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13
 Sacred Readings for Lent

[Praying the Scriptures]

Morning Noon Evening

Ash Wednesday Ps. 51 Isa. 58:1-12 I Tim. 6:6-19

Thursday Ps. 148 Joel 2:1-2,12-17 John 8:1-11
Friday Ps. 147:1-13 Ps. 119:97-104 Luke 12:49-
59

Week 1

Monday Job 1:13-22 Luke 13:1-9 Ps. 14

Tuesday Ps. 139 Rom. 5:12-19 Matt. 4:1-11
Wednesday Ps. 147:14-20 Job 2:1-10 Matt. 6:1-6
Thursday Ps. 119:105-112 Luke 15:1-10 Job 5:1-16
Friday Ps. 42 Job 5: 17-27 Ps. 35
Saturday Luke 14:7-14 Luke 14:15-24 Luke 14:25-
33

Week 2

Monday Ps. 150 John 5:1-18 Ps.117

Tuesday Job 8:1-13 1 Pet. 3:8-15 Ps.130
Wednesday 1 Pet. 3:16-22 Ps. 86:1-10 Matt. 26:36-
56
Thursday Heb. 8:1-6 1 Pet. 4:1-11 Ps. 86:11-17
Friday Ps. 40 John 5:30-47 Eph. 6:10-20
Saturday Joshua 1:1-5 Joshua 1:6-11 Josh. 1:12-17

Week 3

Monday Ps. 119:1-8 James 5:7-12 Dan.9:15-19

Tuesday Exodus 3:9-17 Ps. 119:25-32 Ps. 119:33-40
Wednesday Matt 26:57-68 Ps. 102:1-13 Luke 13:31-
35
Thursday Matt. 26:69-75 Ps. 27:11-14 Ps. 102:14-22
Friday Ps. 146:1-6 James 5:13-20 Ps. 135:1-7
Saturday John 9:1-12 John 9:13-25 John 9:26-41

Week 4

Monday Ps. 3 1 Sam. 16:1-7 Rom. 5:12-21

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Tuesday Jer. 13:1-11 Matt. 20:17-20 Exodus 6:1-
10
Wednesday Ps. 34:1-10 Rom. 6:1-11 John 5:19-24
Thursday Jer. 18:1-11 Exodus 5:1-9 Eph. 5:8-14
Friday Ps. 34:11-18 Rom. 7:1-6 Heb. 8:6-13
Saturday Matt. 27:1-10 Matt. 27:11-19 Matt. 27:20-
26

Week 5

Monday Ps. 20:1-9 John 5:25-29 Rom. 8:6-11

Tuesday Ps. 54:1-7 Exodus 10:11 2 Cor. 1:1-7
Wednesday 2 Cor. 3:7-18 Ps. 55:1-8 2 Cor. 4:1-12
Thursday Ps. 90:1-10 Rom. 7:7-13 Matt. 21:33-
46
Friday Exodus 10:12-20 Isa. 5:1-7 Ps. 88:1-12
Saturday Ps. 73:1-9 Ps. 73:10-19 Ps. 73:20-28

Holy Week

Monday Isa. 50:4-9 Philip. 2:5-11 Ps. 80

Tuesday Ps. 31 John 12:20-32 Lam. 1:1-12
Wednesday Ps. 122:1-9 2 Cor. 4:13-18 Lam. 2:8-19
Maundy Thursday Ps. 39:1-13 John 17:6-17 Lev. 16:2-24
Good Friday Ps. 143:1-12 Col. 1:18-23 Gen. 22:1-18
Holy Saturday Ps. 142 John 5:5-12 Micah 7:14-20

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16
 Sacred Readings for Special Intentions

[Praying the Scriptures]

Praying for Healing

Morning Noon Evening

Monday 2nd Chron. 28:14-16 Isaiah 58:7-9 Jer. 33:5-7

Tuesday Eze. 47:11-13 Matt. 9:34-36 Luke 6:18-20
Wednesday Jos. 5:7-9 2 Kings 2:20-22 2 Kings 5:1-2
Thursday Ps. 30:1-3 Isaiah 53:4-6 Matt. 8:7-9
Friday Matt. 15:27-29 Mark 5:33-35 Luke 4:39-41
Saturday Luke 9:41-43 John 5:12-14 Jas. 5:15-17

Praying for Vocations [Calling]

Monday Mark 10:17-31 Matt. 19:16-30 Luke 18:18-

30
Tuesday Acts 1:15-26 Mark 3:13-19 Mark 1:1-8
Wednesday Luke 6:12-16 Luke 9:1-6 Matt. 4:18-22
Thursday Matt. 9:9-13 Luke 5:1-11 Luke 5:27-32
Friday John 4:1-14 John 4:15-28 John 4:29-42
Saturday 2 Tim. 1:1-14 Acts 9:1-25 Acts 22:3-16

Praying for God’s Will

Monday Eph. 2:1-12 Acts 16:1-12 Jer. 29:11-13

Tuesday Eph. 5:15-18 Ps. 16:7-8 Gen. 19:31-
36
Wednesday Hab. 3:15-19 Gen. 12:1-9 2 Sam.7:1-16
Thursday 1 Sam. 23:1-5 Ps. 25:4-7 Deut. 17:2-5
Friday Matt. 2:13-15 Hosea 1:1-3 Jer. 38:1-13

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Saturday 1 Kings 17:13-16 Matt. 2:13-15 Matt. 1:18-25

Praying for Wisdom

Monday Job 28: 1-9 Job 28:10-16 Job 28:17-28

Tuesday Prov. 3:1-8 Prov. 3:9-18 Prov. 3:19-26
Wednesday Acts 7:9-15 1 Kings 3:3-10 1 Cor. 1:18-
25
Thursday Prov. 9:9-12 Prov. 1:7-9 Luke 2:24-38
Friday James 1:1-5 James 3:17-18 1 Cor. 1:18-
25
Saturday Prov. 8:1-12 Prov. 8:13-24 Prov. 8:26-36

Prayer Filled Life

Monday Isaiah 38:1-8 Ps. 4:1-8 Matt 21:21-22

Tuesday Mark 14:32-36 Ps. 3:4-5 Neh. 1:4-11
Wednesday Matt. 6:5-15 Neh. 4:4-5,9 Acts 4:24-30
Thursday Matt. 7:7-12 Col. 1:9-14 1 Thes. 5:9-
18
Friday Dan. 9:2-6 Dan. 9:7-11 Dan. 9:12-19
Saturday 2 Kings 2:9-12 Ex 32:1-7 Ex 32:8-14

The Christian Life

Monday Deu. 7:16-26 Col. 2:1-12 Col. 2: 13-23

Tuesday Lev. 19:1-2 Matt. 6:1-4 Heb. 12:1-4
Wednesday James 1:21-27 Matt. 12:33-37 Hab. 3:17-19
Thursday Matt. 5:3-12 Phil. 2:1-5 Rom. 1:6-9
Friday 1 Thes. 5:1-11 John 13:3-5 Luke 10:29-
37
Saturday 1 Cor. 10:29-33 Mark 12:28-34 2 Peter 1:2-9

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19
 Portrait of St. Augustine

Saint Augustine’s Writings

The written work of Saint Augustine takes the form in many instances of confessions as
they speak to us about his life after conversion. We journey with him, noting the reality
of the Christian who struggles with doubts, fears and, sorrow even though Jesus Christ
is an intimate friend. The writings I have chosen to share reflect not only Augustine’s
spiritual journey but the way of every born-again Christian.

20
For as little as 10 minutes you can become one with Saint Augustine as you read,
meditate and pray. Like him let your prayer be:

“Here is my heart, O god,

here it is with all its secrets:
look into my thoughts,
O my hope,
and take away all my wrong feelings:
let my eyes ever be on you
and release my feet from the snare.”
Confessions IV, 6

Sacred Readings

[Praying with Saint Augustine]

Praying to Meet God

21
Seeking
Father,
I am seeking:
I am hesitant and uncertain,
but will you, O God,
watch over each step of mine
and guide me.
[Confessions XI, 17]

Here is my heart
Here is my heart, O God,
here it is with all its secrets;
look into my thoughts,
O my hope,
and take away all my wrong feelings:
let my eyes ever be on you
and release my feet from the snare.
[Confessions IV, 6]

The depth of your love

If I choose to remember my past sins
and my unenlightened soul,
it is not out of any love for them
but because I want to love you, my God.

It is in order to know the depth of your love

that I recall the wickedness of my past.
In that bitter memory my hope is to
feel your sweetness,
a sweetness in which there is no deception,
only happiness and security:
so I seek to restore unity within me
in the wake of those inner wounds which
tore me apart when I gave myself up to vain things
and turned away from you,
the one true God.
[Confessions II, 1]
Praying For God to Change Our Lives

Out of your sight

I have examined my failings, O Lord,
and have called for your hand to save me.

22
Even in my spiritual weakness
I saw your splendour
and overwhelmed I said to myself:
Who can approach such glory?
Yet once again I have let myself
be driven back out of your sight.

You are truth who presides over

all things, but I in my greed,
while not wanting to lose you,
wanted at the same time to possess a lie…
And so I lost you,
because you do not allow us to
possess you alongside a lie.
[Confessions X, 41]

You made us for yourself

O Lord, you are great, you are to
be highly praised;
Your power is great and there is no
limits to your wisdom.

And man, a tiny part of your creative work,

wants to celebrate your praise,
man, who drags his own frailty behind him,
as a testimony to his sin and to your desire
to reject the proud:
in spite of this
a small part of your great work of creation
wants to celebrate your praise.

It is you who have aroused this desire in us

because you made us for yourself,
and our hearts will not be at peace
until they rest in you.
[Confessions I, 1a]

Praying For God’s Forgiveness

Setting us free
When we confess our wretchedness to you
and acknowledge your mercy to us,

23
we are revealing your love for us,
so that, as you have begun,
so may you complete the task of setting us free:
that we may cease to be unhappy in ourselves
and become happy in you;
for you have called us
to become poor in spirit,
to be meek and to mourn,
to hunger and thirst for justice,
to be merciful, pure in heart
and authors of peace.
[Confessions XI, 1]

Take pity on me, O Lord!

When my whole being is united with you,
then I feel no more sorrow or pain;
mine will be the true life
wholly filled by you.
You raise up all who are filled with your spirit;
but I am not yet so filled,
I am a burden to myself.
the worldly joys that I ought to lament
struggle within me
with the sorrows in which I should rejoice,
and I do not know where the victory lies.
Take pity on me, O Lord,
for I am not hiding my wounds from you.
You are the doctor, I am the patient:
you are the giver of mercy – I am in great need
of it. [Confessions X, 28]

Lord, grant us peace

O Lord my God,
grant us peace;
already, indeed, you have made us rich
in all things!
Give us that peace of being at reast,
that Sabbath peace,
the peace which knows no end.
[Confessions XIII, 35]

Praying To God The Father And Creator

24
By your word
How, O God, did you
Create heaven and earth?

Certainly it was neither in heaven nor on

the earth that you made them,
nor in the air or water which
are part of heaven and earth;
nor could create the universe from within
the universe, since nowhere existed
in which to do it before it had itself
been created.

You did not even hold in your hand

something from which to extract
heaven and earth,
because where could you have
taken it from if you had not
already made it?

Is there anything that exists

other than because you exist?

So you gave the word

and the world was created;
you created it by your word.
[Confessions XI, 5]

Praying To God To Speak

25
Happy is he who loves you
O Lord God of truth,
Is scientific learning enough
to obtain your favour?
Unhappy is he who has all knowledge
yet does not know you;
but happy is he who does know you
yet is ignorant of all else.
Anyone who has both
is not made any happier by human
knowledge;
he is happy through you alone,
if in knowing you he honours you
and continually gives thanks for your
greatness.
[Confessions V, 4]

26
 Praying To God The Source of All Gifts

Happiness and truth

Happiness is the possession of truth
and truth is rejoicing in you,
O Lord my light,
my salvation,
my God.
This happiness,
this life, the only happy life,
is desired by all:
everyone longs
to possess the truth.
[Confessions X, 23]

You are happiness

O Lord, take away the idea

from the mind of your servant
who confesses to you,
that any joy whatsoever is happiness.
There is one joy that is not granted
to the wicked,
but only to those who give you honour
without expecting any reward;
for them you yourself are joy.
This indeed is happiness:
Rejoicing in you,
about you,
for you;
this and nothing else.
Whoever believes that there is happiness
other than in you is pursuing
something different,
not the possession of true happiness.
[Confessions X, 22]

27
Image of St. Francis of Assisi

Writings of Saint Francis

28
Saint Francis of Assisi was born at Assisi in Umbria in either 1811 or 1812.

His conversion is a result of incarceration and illness. His writing reflects that of one has
come to know the triune God in a very personal way. He founded the Franciscan Order,
which has opened the way for laypersons to become a part of this ministry through what
is known as the Third Order. He is also known as the patron saint of animals and the
environment.

To learn more about Francis of Assisi I refer you to the following resources:

The Way of St. Francis

Through The Year with Francis of Assisi
By Murray Bodo, O.F. M.

www.americancatholic.org
www.s-s-f.org

Like St. Paul, Francis of Assisi’s writings and prayers are exhortations. You are invited
to read, meditate and pray with him.

Sacred Readings

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 [Praying with Saint Francis]

A Prayer of Praise
We thank you
that through your Son you created us,
and that through the holy love you had for us
you brought about his birth
as true God and true man
by the glorious, ever-virgin, most blessed, holy Mary,
and that you willed to redeem us captives
through his cross and blood and death.
[-Rule of 1221, Chapter XXIII]

We Are Like Paintings

In a panel painting representing the Lord of the Blessed Virgin,
it is the Lord of Holy Virgin who is honoured, while the wood
and the painting claim nothing for themselves. Similarly,
a servant of God is a picture of God, in which God is honoured
for his favour. And you may not claim credit that God is pictured
through you, for compared to him you are less than the wood and
the painting.
[-Mirror of Perfection, 45]

Compassion
“For I, being in sin[s], thought it bitter to
look at lepers, and the Lord himself led me
among them, and I worked mercy with them.
And then I left their company, I realized that
What had seemed bitter to me, had been
turned into sweetness of soul and body.
[-The Testament of St. Francis]

The Holy Words Of God

“Whoever comes from God listens to the words

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of God” [Jn *;47]. We who have been
commissioned to deal with things divine
should not only hear and fulfill what God says,
but, what is more, in order to root in ourselves
the transcendence of our Creator and our
obedience to him, we should take reverant
care of the sacred vessels and the
liturgical books which contain his holy
words.
[- Letter to the Whole Order]

The Gifts of God

God gave and keeps on giving to
each one of us a whole body,
a whole soul, a whole life. He
created us and redeemed us, and
he will save us by his mercey alone.

He has done and keeps on doing

everything good for us.
[- Rule of 1221, Chapter XXII]

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Personal Journal Entry Notes

January

32
33
February

34
35
March

36
37
April

38
39
May

40
41
June

42
43
July

44
45
August

46
September

47
48
October

49
50
November

51
52
December

53
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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For a little more than three decades, Chaplain Askew worked in the Financial and
Investment services industry in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. She received
training in Office Administration and was a member of the Institute of Commercial
Management of the United Kingdom until 2008.

A trained Pastoral Counsellor and Spiritual Director she also completed the requirements
for Level 1 Clinical Pastoral Education and is a Certified Chaplain with the College of
Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy [Bahamas/Caribbean] which is under the
auspices of the Public Hospital Authority [Bahamas]. For the past three years she held
Pastoral Care membership with the Association of Christian Counsellors [UK] and is
currently member of Spiritual Directors International.

She serves the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas as the Pastoral Care Ministries
Coordinator, Director of the Marriage & Family Life component of the Alpha Course and
is a Chaplain and Education Facilitator for the Ecumenical Health Care Ministry.

Presently, Mrs. Askew is a teacher of Religious Knowledge, History/Social Studies and

Christian Family Life, teaching middle and high school students.

She is a Christian author and has written many articles for bible study and devotions.

First and foremost however, she is a daughter of the KING of Kings and walks by
faith and not by sight.

RESOURCES FOR SACRED READINGS/LECTIO DIVINA

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 BOOKS

1. Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer

2. Sacred Reading: The Art of Lectio Divina
3. A Guide to Living in the Truth
All three by Michael Casey

Praying the Word: An Introduction to Lectio Divina

By Enzio Bianchi
James W. Zina – Translator

Praying the Bible

By Mariano Magrassi
Edward Hagman – Translator

Too Deep for Words

By Thelma Hall

No Moment too Small

By Norvene Vest

Listening for the Heartbeat of God

By J. Philip Newell

Lectio Divina
By Basil Pennington

Praying The Psalms

By Thomas Merton

The Word is Very Near You

By Martin L. Smith

WEBSITES

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 The Order of St. Benedict
http://www.osb.org/lectio/index.html

The Call to Holiness

http://www.thecalltoholiness.net/prayer_links.htm

St. Andrew’s Abbey

http://www.valyermo.com

Society of St. Francis

http://s-s-f.org/frameset_houses_j.htm

Personal Edification Through Prayer

http://www.geocities.com/ceciaskew/prayerlife.html

Fellowship of Contemplative Prayer

http://www.fcpuk.fsnet.co.uk

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