Lectio Divina Reading
September 16, 2004
Luke 7:36-50
The woman who was a sinner
One of the Pharisees invited him to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, suddenly a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is and what sort of person it is who is touching him and what a bad name she has. Then Jesus took him up and said, "Simon, I have something to say to you. He replied, "say on, Master. There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he let them both off. Which of them will love him more? Simon answered, the one who was let off more, I suppose. Jesus said, "You are right."
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘You see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, many as they are, have been forgiven her, because she has shown such great love. It is someone who is forgiven little who shows little love. Then he said to her, ‘your sins are forgiven. Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, "Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
The Ita Compline
Ita, who died in about 570, was abbess of a women’s community at Killeedy, County Limerick in Ireland. She ran a school for boys where she taught:
Faith in God
with purity of heart;
simplicity of life
with religion;
generosity
with love.
Among those schooled by Ita was Brendan, who honored her as his foster-mother and adviser. The Compline that follows is named after her because of its emphasis on examination of the heart, and the prayers of care and protection for each soul who crosses our path.
* Indicates a change of reader.
All say together the sections in bold type.
R Indicates response by all.
R
In peace will I lie down, for it is You, O Lord,You alone who makes me to rest secure.
Silently (make the sign of the Cross)
The Sacred Three
To save
To shield
To surround
The hearth
the home
this night
and every night.
* Search me, O God, and know my heart.
Test me and know my thoughts. R
* See if there is any wicked way in me. R
* And lead me in the way everlasting. R
O Father, O Son, O Holy Spirit,
forgive me my sins.
O only – begotten Son of the heavenly Father,
forgive.
O God who is one,
O God who is true,
O God who is first,
O God who is one substance,
O God only mighty,
in three Persons, truly merciful,
forgive.
* O God of life, this night,
O darken not to me thy light. R
* O God of life this night,
close not Thy gladness to my sight. R
* Keep Your people, Lord,
in the arms of Your embrace.
Shelter them under Your wings. R
* Be their light in darkness.
Be their hope in distress.
Be their calm in anxiety. R
* Be strength in their weakness. R
* Be their comfort in pain. R
* Be their song in the night. R
* Be it on Your own beloved arm,
O God of grace that I in peace shall awake. R
Be the peace of the Spirit mine this night.
Be the peace of the Son mine this night.
Be the peace of the Father mine this night.
The peace of all peace be mine this night
In the name of the Father,
(make the sign of the Cross )And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Lectio Divina
for CP Groups
Contemplative Outreach of Dallas