Announcing Lectio - Bernardita Opazo

January 28, 2021 | Bernardita Opazo

Hi, I'm Bernardita. I am from Chile and I'm 21 years old. I am studying design, now in my fourth year. I am here to share with you about one of the most important things I have in my life, a truly indispensable treasure for which I am very grateful. Today, I'm going to invite you to take advantage of it, because you have it too: lectio. I was always been attracted to the Sacred Scriptures. That is why I have been in a lectio group for six years, since I was in Third Form. This is my Bible, and this is where I can find myself deeply with God and my salvation story, what I am, what I have, with my strengths and my weaknesses. So, it is a unique and personal meeting.

Lectio is a particular way to pray, where each one can encounter God directly. Even though here in the Bible we find stories or readings of what happened years ago, through lectio we let the Holy Spirit act, and transform these words into a special message, from God to you: God speaks in that moment, according to your concerns and needs. Every time we do a reading, it conveys something different to each person, some new thing that God wants to reveal to us about how to live in His love. Through the Bible, I have been able to know more and more about who Christ is. Every time I turn to the Scriptures, I discover something new about his immense love for me, and in what way he saves me everyday. Throughout my life I have had many powerful encounters with God through lectio. In truth, "all is said": all I need is here, where God speaks to me softly, gently and with infinite love.

In my school, every day in the morning, before the start of classes, we read the gospel of the day, and I could start my day with and in God. In all my school years I grew up with the Bible, and also my faith. As I got older, I began to access the Word each day. When I have doubts, a problem, a situation where I don't know what to do, before or after doing something, even sometimes just wanting to hear what God has to say to me, my favorite place to go is here, where I find words of true life which renew me, calm my heart and sustain me. I will read a verse from the Gospel of John: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” I need His encouragement , His strength, His special spiritual food.

In these experiences, I have also learned how this encounter makes me grow, and this makes the church grow too. Because we are the church, alive and active. And how important we are as a community that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. I have also been able to discover the sacraments and delve into their mystery. There are so many messages that God wants to reveal to us. Each reading is an entire world, with each situation, sign, detail, character, that speaks to us personally about Him. I invite you not to miss out on this gift, to strengthen your relationship with this God who is eager to speak to you, to love you, to accompany you on your life path, listen and heal you, show you that he loves you in a crazy way, and wishes with all his heart your true happiness.

And you have many opportunities to discover that love. You just have to be awake, ready for God to manifest Himself. Open up, let yourself be touched by his grace: the Lord is always looking for you. It manifests itself through the monastic community, through your teachers, through your friends and family, through His creation, that in this place really screams about the love of God. All you have to do, is say yes. That is enough to let the Lord act.

The only thing I have left to say is be brave. Take the opportunities you have here; join lectio groups: you have lectio leaders – you can talk to them, ask questions…: go find your own way to meet the Lord, propose ideas if you want. But nobody is saved alone That`s why joining a lectio community is so important, to advance with the support of others. So, if there is someone who wants to join a lectio group, come to us and let us know. Let’s find new groups!  And those who are already in one, make the most of it!