 Catholic Web Content Development Articles Series (6 of 7) - Writing
Reflections on Scripture Passages
Introduction
Another area of web content development is writing reflections
on Scripture passages. One specific example is to reflect on the weekday or
Sunday liturgical readings. As the Lord speaks through His Word, it becomes,
as it were, a mirror by which we can see how our present Christian life is
in accordance with God's will. This form of reflective writing can be
structured or unstructured. One can follow a system for developing this
web content, or be spontaneous in writing on one's reflections. Either way,
the content developed is beneficial to both writer and reader - since it
leads both to examine and look deeply into one's soul, and measure how close
or how far our mind, heart, and actions are, from Jesus, the Word of God.
Sample of structured reflections
Although one can reflect on Scripture in whatever style he would be most
effective in, and write it down in a style that give space for deeper
thought and prayer, this article will suggest a structure by which you
can base something of your own.
Give the references for the Scripture passages
If your reflections will follow the liturgical calendar of the Church,
then when you decide to reflect on the Sunday readings, you can give
the references also for: the first and second readings, the responsorial
psalm, and the gospel.
Share comments made by bible scholars
Many bible scholars have studied intensively on the gospels and have
written interpretations that are based on exegetical (the science of
bible study) tools and methods. The second paragraph of your gospel
reflection can mention what bible scholars and exegetes say about the
passage being reflected upon. We can simply state what they teach in
just a few sentences.
Write a reflection based on the inputs in the first and second
paragraphs
Given the text of the gospel rewritten in a brief narrative or
summary form, and the insights that bible scholars and exegetes have
discovered in their studies, we can then form our reflections based on
these two inputs. Some basic questions that can guide our reflection
are: "Am I presently living out what Jesus is teaching in the gospel
passage?" "What can I do to improve my personal relationship with God?"
"How can I put to practice the counsels of the gospel in my life, in
relation to my family, in my work or business, and in my relationships
with my neighbors?"
Making a good habit of praying before writing reflectively
What can assist us in writing good reflections on the readings of
the Bible, is to practice the art of lectio divina, with the
Scripture passage we wish to reflect upon. If we read the Scripture
passage slowly and let its text seep deep into our thoughts, we can
meditate well on the passage. From the meditation, our hearts can be
touched deeply by God's Spirit, and give us the opportunity to a
spirit of prayer. As the fruit of prayer makes us closer to
God, then He may gift us with a spirit of peace, tranquility, and
serenity that is often found in states of contemplation. All that
we harvest from our reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation,
can now assist us in writing deep spiritual insights and help us
share what we have learned from praying over the gospel passage.
Summary and conclusion
Writing reflections on Scripture passages can be the most insightful of all
our web content development. And if we also make a good habit of writing
reflectively regularly, this discipline will assist us in strengthening our
personal relationship with the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. We can also
assist and help our readers learn of the spiritual insights and wisdom that
we have harvested, while praying over the Scripture passage. We can share
the gift of knowledge and understanding that the Holy Spirit can give
us while meditating on the Word of God.
Another important thing to consider when we write our reflections is to
write them in line with the thinking of the Church. So that our reflective
writing will be in line with the thinking of the Church, we can add some
spiritual reading of the classics, and also keep up-to-date with what the
Pope presently teaches from the news items given on the Web.
Related resources
Dennis Emmanuel Cabrera
Web Developer Methods for Catholics
www.c-web-developer.net
My Main Catholic Blog
www.c-internet-mission.net
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