"Let the sword of the spirit, the Word of God, live abundantly in your mouth and in your hearts; and whatever you must do, do it in the name of the Lord."  

                                                                                Carmelite Constitutions (No. 82)

Dwelling deep in the Carmelite Constitutions is one small sentence with a huge demand.

It is simple and complex, reflecting the verses from St Paul to the Ephesians (6, 13-18) on spiritual armour.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 

Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness... take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Reading the word of the Lord and the saints fills the mind and heart, and changes how I think and feel.

Lectio Divina is the gentlest way of prayer I know. As rich as it is simple.

Take a very short reading maybe from the gospels or a psalm, or a favourite prophet. Go where you wish, or follow the church's year to select it. You could even google the readings for a particular date to help to narrow it down. Read the reading aloud, or listen to it.

Find a phrase. Repeat it. Say it out loud. 

Read the text aloud again.

What is the one word that stands out the most for  you?

Say it.

Read the whole text aloud again.

Now, what is the one word that you want to repeat? The same, or different? Simply say it again.

You may end with a prayer for someone or something that has come to mind.

If this is done with a group, some will speak, some will not. The same word might be chosen a lot, or all might be different. But you will get layers of the reading wrapping and unwrapping with your own understandings and concerns. When it is done prayerfully, it will build up over time, and grow an attachment to the Word in your heart.

Do not discuss what has been chosen or said. Leave it. Let it rest in the air around, among, between. It doesn't matter now. You've done it. Hold on if it helps, let it resonate all day. Or let it go. Its purpose may be served, for you, or not for you, and you don't need to know.  

Most groups speak hardly at all until after the reading. Then they break for tea or coffee and can talk about other things as well as the text for information or background, but not at that personal level, which stays between you and God.

If someone has mentioned something troubling, now is the time for the leader to mention it quietly, and explore any misunderstandings or anxieties.

You can get a build up of trust, and slowly or quickly you can let go of wondering what word should I pick, or what will they think. You have the space and you are free there to speak without interruption or demand for explanation. You can just be there.

Sometimes, the person who holds the book, who reads aloud, will after the quiet time talk about the text and what it means to them. These have been some of the simplest, most honest and shortest sermons, of one or two minutes at most, that I still remember now. Not the words that were said, but the colour of the light on the stone, and the softness of the tone, and the expression. My brother or your sister who has spent a whole lifetime in sincere contemplation, sharing in prayer a look of questioning, of wondering, of thinking together. Of an open channel. Of a good way to be.

I have to come back and come back to the simplest and most important things. 

This is the road back.

The Ignatian Examen Prayer at the end of the day.

1. Become aware of God's presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.