LECTIO DIVINA FOR THE FAMILY

Transcription

1 LECTIO DIVINA FOR THE FAMILY With the blessing of Pope Francis WITH THE PATRONAGE OF:

2

3 Lectio Divina for the Family The Word of God is the source of life and spirituality for the family. All the pastoral responsibility for the family involves enabling the family to be modeled inwardly as members of the church in the home through prayerful and liturgical reading of the Holy Scripture. The Word of God is not only good news for individual people s lives, but also as training in good judgment and a light for discerning the diverse challenges facing a married couple and their family. (Relatio Synodi 34) With profound joy I address each family, reminding them that the Word of God is the source of life, unity and renewal. This special section of the NEW TESTAMENT, is structured so as to provide a panoramic view of the life of Jesus and of the early Christian communities. It includes the books of the New Testament according to the narrations of the four Evangelists. Moreover, it incorporates the Lectio Divina exercises that support the family, reinforcing its identity as the nucleus in which the member s values are shaped, educating them in the virtues. The Pontifical Council for the Family is thankful to the Ramón Pané Foundation for the work they have done in several languages, with the blessing of Pope Francis. Personally, I ask God to bless this project, and those who read it as part of a family. I pray that they will put into practice the teachings of Jesus presented in the New Testament. VINCENZO PAGLIA President of the Pontifical Council for the Family

4 This has helped us to grow as individuals and, even more, it has given us the opportunity to work more effectively with the subjects of forgiveness and liberty; it has given us the opportunity to see the values and virtues of each family member reflected. This helps us to strengthen our relationships inside and outside the home. Martinez Torres Family Guadalajara, México Reading The Books of the Bible was like reading a love story actually, the story of the greatest love that ever existed. The structure of the book, the order in which it is arranged, makes the reading flow in such a way that you feel connected. One person commented that they were so caught up in the story that they couldn t stop reading. Sosa Toledo Family Puebla, México

5 Lectio Divina for the Family Msgr DANIEL MEDINA PECH Spiritual Counselor for the Movement, Educating the Family in Faith (Our Movement), Educating the Family in Faith, has just lived through an experience that has revitalized the entire movement. It is the Lectio Divina in the Family. The Word of God has taken us back to our original charisma. Following Jesus method of prayer, we have discovered anew how God wants us to live. Today I must dwell in your home Jesus said to Zacchaeus. So it is that those who have taken into their home the living Word of God, which is Jesus, have seen their lives transformed, their relationships revitalized and their joy refreshed. The family that receives the Word of God learns to share the Word with others. The Lectio Divina in the Family causes the Word of God to be like a stem cell that has the ability to rebuild all the tissues and muscles of family life. The arrival of the Word of God has revitalized families, healed them, and strengthened relations that were weak or broken, making them vital again. Msgr DANIEL MEDINA PECH Spiritual Counselor for the Movement, Educating the Family in Faith

6 STRENGTHEN THE VALUES, AND AWAKEN THE VIRTUES IN THE FAMILY Lectio Divina in the family with values This Project is dedicated to the family pastoral care of the Episcopal Conferences, Dioceses, Missionary Groups and Apostolic Movements and Evangelization

7 THIS IS THE WAY IT WORKS: The Church presents in the Instrumentum Laboris, for the Synod on the family, the theme under number 42: The importance of prayer in the family is unanimously underscored, expressing the church in the home, where we nourish a true family culture of prayer. The authentic knowledge of Jesus Christ, in effect, is promoted in the family through personal prayer and especially through family prayer, using the specific means and domestic rituals that are considered an efficient way to transmit our faith to our children. In the same way, we strongly encourage the specific Reading of the Scriptures together, as well as alternative ways to pray. THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE LECTIO DIVINA IN THE FAMILY The participants read the New Testament in a different format. This edition has no chapters or verses. The emphasis is on knowing Jesus, so as to live as he commanded. It is enjoyable to read, simple and light. This is the story of God s love for his children. COMMUNITY CHALLENGE OF READING AND PRAYER OVER EIGHT WEEKS The family reads between 12 and 15 pages each day. Then once a week, they do the exercise of the Lectio Divina prepared to enhance the values that transform into virtuous lives. During the discussion time at home the family members comment on and discuss together what they have read and learned. VALUES AND VIRTUES The family is the place where values are forged. So as Christian families read the New Testament and then do the exercises of Lectio Divina their lives will be transformed. They will become virtuous, so that as they grow, their lives will be happier and more in accord with the plan that God has for them.

8 ALREADY AVAILABLE IN: English INGLÉS ESPAÑOL Español PORTUGUÉS Português Italiano ITALIANO TAGALOG Tagalog SOON TO BE AVAILABLE IN: Français CONTACT US AT: