Receiving...

Receiving...

As we spend time with Scripture, listening to God's Word and responding, we are engaging in lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), and oratio (prayer).  But there is, as we've seen, another step on "Guigo's ladder."  There is contemplatio, "in which we 'taste the goodness of the Lord.'"  

Contemplation is not something we can give to ourselves. It's not achieved through impersonal "techniques" such as trying to "empty our minds."  

We can, however, put ourselves in position to receive contemplation.  We do this by FILLING our minds.  We fill them with Scripture - with the Word of our loving, personal God.  

As we look at the difference between meditation and contemplation, I find the following video (from "Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction") extremely helpful.  I hope you do as well.