A number of summers ago I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a week-long retreat at the headquarters of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. The retreat was held on the shores of the beautiful Lake Junaluska, nestled in the midst of the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.
Over time a small Methodist community had grown in that place around that picturesque and gentle scene. The setting was so relaxing, invigorating, soothing and inspiring that in time a retreat center was born. It is a beautiful place for a spiritual retreat.
The summer I attended Lake Junaluska, the theme was “TheListening Heart: Wisdom for Living and Leading.” We gathered to practice the art of listening. We were instructed to listen to God and to listen to each other. Thatcan seem so elementary on the surface. After all, we know how to listen, don’t we?
But when you think about how good it is to find a friend who can really listen, we recognize that listening is an art, and we don’t take it for granted. Some people hear what you are saying, but they wait only for the opportunity to tell you something.
Others listen so well that you are given an opportunity to listen to yourself as you more fully tell your story.
Such listening is a gift the listener provides. Such a listener asks just the right questions to allow you to share more deeply and understand yourself more completely. That kind of listening is the basis of good counseling and is the characteristic of a good friend.
From my experience at Junaluska, I gained a renewed appreciation for our need to listen to God. We need to open the Word and listen, not to tell the Lord something, as if God is unaware of what is on our hearts. We need to approach the Word of God with openness and with questions, like a good listener.
What I learned that summer was an ancient practice that is called Lectio divina or sacred reading. Many of you have already heard about this practice and may have used it yourselves. It is tried and true and well attested from centuries of practitioners.
Its beginnings are attributed to St. Benedict and Pope Gregory I in the fifth century after the birth of Christ. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI stated, “I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart. If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church—I am convinced of it—a new spiritual springtime.”
Well there I was the only Lutheran in a group of southern Methodists, formed into a Quaker Listening Circle, learning an ancient Roman Catholic discipline, taught by a Presbyterian pastor.
Not only was it a wonderful discipline to learn, but the very group I was in became an example of how enriching our conversations can be as we listen to the diversity of experience and understanding we all bring. Together we were seeking that “intimate dialogue” of hearing God and responding in prayer. As we listened to the Word and as we shared what we heard, we asked a question or two of each other, seeking further illumination. With a good question we opened new doors to further inspiration. In the sharing we all felt closer to God and to each other. I was so inspired by the deep faith of my fellow listeners as I heard their stories.
We are practicing Lectio divina at Bethlehem during this season of Lent. I encourage anyone who is seeking to hear God’s Word for them to enter into this careful process of listening and praying. If you need more information about the four steps on this ‘ladder of prayer,’ ask your pastor, or give me a call. Like all disciplines it will require dedication. It is not difficult, but good listening requires time. You will find it is definitely worth the investment. Best of all, it will provide you with rewards that are simply “divine.”
Each month a member of the
Cook County Ministerium will
offer Spiritual Reflections. For
February, our contributor is
Reverend Mark Ditmanson of
Bethlehem Lutheran Church in
Grand Marais.
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