At that time, monks and most of the populace could not read or write, but every morning in monasteries and chapels many of them would meet around a Bible.
It would be opened, and in silence they would wait for the Word to be spoken and read aloud. The one who could read would slowly tell the story of God’s words in the world, reading a single passage clearly so all could hear. He would finish, stand in silence before the book, bend in homage, and then back away from the stand with the book, standing at a slight distance.
After a period of quiet, he would approach the book again and read the same passage. He would do this again and again, until all had departed and there was no one to listen to the Word of God. Each monk or visitor left when they had secured what they needed to reflect upon for the day.
The Word invaded their minds, hearts, and bodies, and they took it with them into their work, study, and interactions, as well as their prayer. With the Word within them, they were ready to live in the Spirit and let that Word transform their own flesh and blood.
(Re-told by Megan McKenna)
May we be filled with the Word and live in the Spirit!
No comments:
Post a Comment