How many times have you read the notice in Peterpost advertising the monthly meeting of the Scripture Reflection Group? Have you carried on reading because you weren’t quite sure whether or not it was for you?
What happens?
We gather for a simple shared meal.
Then we prepare ourselves to listen to a reading from scripture. What we do next is a form of what is known as Lectio Divina, ‘prayerful reading in the Holy Spirit that is able to open to the faithful the treasure of the word of God, and also to create the encounter with Christ, the living divine word.’(Final Message of Word of God Synod 2008, para 9)
The reading we use is always one we will hear at Mass the following Sunday. After we have heard the reading once, we reflect quietly on a word or phrase that has struck us. Then we listen to the reading again, and ask ourselves what Christ is inviting us to through that word or phrase. There is time for anyone in the group to share their thoughts, if they wish. Listening to the thoughts and questions of others gives each of us new insights into the scripture we have heard.
Then we listen to some input to help us to put the text in its contexts: scriptural, geographical, theological, liturgical. Finally, we take time to consider how we might ‘act on the word’, bring the word to life in our own lives, in the following days and months.
Why do we do this?
The aim of all exploration of Scripture is for us to encounter Christ, to enter into a deeper relationship with him, to understand his mystery in the light of God’s word. So we gather together to take time to meet the Word of God, Jesus Christ, in the nourishing words of Scripture.
How often?
We meet once a month – the date is always advertised in Peterpost.
Is it just for holy people?
The group is for anyone who is open to reflecting on scripture. We eat, reflect, pray and laugh as part of the community of Hampshire Downs. Come along and join us!