April 5-8, 2008
Fr. Carl Arico, who has spent the last three decades talking to people all
over the world about the power of Contemplative Prayer and is the author
of A Taste of Silence, will be guiding participants in a step-by-step
journey into the peacefulness of Contemplative Prayer at St. Mark Catholic
Church in Denton on April 6-8. Fr. Arico is vice president of Contemplative
Outreach Ltd., and also serves on its board. He is known for his humor and
clarity in his teaching on prayer.
"A Taste of Silence"
St. Mark Catholic Church
2800 Pennsylvania Drive
Denton, TX. 76205
Sunday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday, 7-9 p.m.
Or
Monday and Tuesday morning sessions, 9 a.m.-noon
In addition to Fr. Arico's talks Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, he will be speaking
at each of the Masses that weekend, beginning with the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday,
and including those on Sunday, at 9 and 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Contact: 940-387-6223 Parish Office, 940-382-1641 Fax
Email: cwalker@stmarkdenton.org
Web site:
http://www.stmarkdenton.org
Christian Prayer Tradition—Lectio Divina
We have a prayer tradition which is part of the routine of Christians up
until the 16th century. The tradition was called LECTIO DIVINA. Translated
to mean divine reading, but perhaps better-divine listening.
People did not have ready access to books and so important teachings were
memorized. In Latin, the tradition was expressed by the Word of God, primarily
the Sacred Scriptures. Having listened, then there was a time of meditation
for reflecting, meditating and pondering these words or events. As a result
of the listening and meditating, it was then time for oratio, to express
oneself from the heart. When all was said and done, then it was time for
contemplation. Or reading, reflection, responding and resting in God. There
is beauty to our prayer tradition because it is grounded in the richness
of the dynamic of human relationship. When we say "let us pray," we are really
saying let us have a relationship with our God. There was great wisdom in
the example used by St. Paul when he said that the relationship of Christ
and the Church could best be described by the relationship which exists between
husband and wife (also the relationship which exists between friends).
Levels of relationship
Let us look at the levels of these relationships. The first level is
acquaintanceship. This is what normally takes place when you first meet a
person. You get to know the facts about them, e.g. name, job, town they live
in. It is a monologue for the most part. The next level is friendliness.
Here not only are you getting into facts, but there is sharing of interests
as well with a deeper dialogue beginning to take place. With time this could
develop into a friendship. Not only is there a dialogue taking place, but
there is also a depth to the sharing. This depth is indicated by a degree
of intimacy and affection. One’s total being is getting more involved.
A trust is developing. This trust can then develop into a sense of union,
where two people really begin to feel a part of one another. When a relationship
reaches this point there is no reason to talk all the time. Two people can
be silent in each other’s company. There are short moments when there
is a genuine resting in each other’s presence and then there are other
times when, for longer periods of time the silence happens. The Lectio Divina
tradition is similar to the four levels of relationship. You do not have
to experience them in sequential order. They can be flowed in and out, off
and on at any level, but when you step back and look at the overall experience,
all four elements are present. The resting that you experience in the Lectio
experience is one of floating gently on the surface. When you enter into
Contemplative Prayer by way of the centering prayer experience this becomes
a journey within. We will be guided through this step-by-step journey, into
peacefulness of Contemplative Prayer, by Fr. Arico. Small groups in parishes
already participate in the first three steps of Lectio Divina, in faith sharing
groups, bible study, etc. Come put it all together with Fr. Arico on April
6-8 at St. Mark's.
For more information, contact Tom Uhler at 817-874-2894, e-mail
tomuhler@yahoo.com .
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