Scripture Sense

Our Lady of Hope Prayer Group is studying the Catechism, and the Bible.  After their usual prayer routine, they read and discuss, either the CCC, or the Bible.  This is a type of prayer, too.  It's called Lectio Divina, specifically Group Lectio Divina.  You read and then contemplate what you read.  The advantage of doing this in a group is the discussion that follows.  You have the advantage of hearing different insights.

Hey, this is exactly what Arise Together in Christ does.  We read and share.  Well, whadyano!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Questions 109-119) tell us how to approach studying scriptures.  It is important to understand that there are two senses of Scripture: the literal, and the spiritual.

The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture.
The spiritual sense is the signs revealed by God's plan.  This is subdivided into three more senses: allegorical, moral and anagogical.
     Allegorical sense is seeing events in the light of their significance to Christ.
     Moral sense are events written for instruction.
     Anagogical sense are events interpreted in terms of their leading us to heaven.

A medieval couplet summarizes the four senses:

                                The Letter speaks of deeds; Allegory to faith
                                The Moral how to act; Anagogy our destiny.