Page 140 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 14

ding digital texts. Admittedly, I recognize one observed that children with diagnosed learning
reason I am attracted to this suggestion is that I disabilities are able to step aside from disruptive
have an affinity towards physical books and rea- behavior, slow down, and meditate on an audio-
ding scripture from a physical bible. However, visual version of a scriptural or a spiritual text
I wonder if perhaps the medium is only part of in ways that are not possible when they are con-
the problem and that of deeper spiritual con- fined to the use of a printed text. These examp-
cern are cultural attitudes that value action and les invite us to consider the possibility that as
distraction as well as devalue slowing down and long as the combined act of audire-videre (i.e.,
being with oneself, God, or another person? hearing-seeing) is preceded by silencio that it
may provide a suitable foundation for the re-
On a practical note, I wonder if Haack may maining steps of the practice of Lectio Divina.
be biased towards what may be called ‘text li-
teracy?’ Specifically, I find myself wondering In conclusion, it is unfortunate that it has taken
if the deep benefits of spiritual reading are li- a pandemic to invite entire cultures, and espe-
mited to those who are ’text literate’? The rele- cially the Christian community, to slow down
vance of this question becomes evident when and reflect. The fact that this is the case illu-
one considers those whose vision has become strates the necessity of Haack’s core thesis; na-
compromised and individuals with disabilities mely to invite Christians to find ways to expe-
that interfere with text-based learning. Pastoral rience the benefits of engaging the biblical text
experience with older adults suggests that some through relaxing, reading aloud (or listening),
individuals experience a depth of spiritual re- reflecting, answering (the Holy Spirit), resting,
freshment through the use of audiobooks. To- and embodying (incarnating) thus deepening
wards the other end of the age spectrum I have their relationship with God.

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