Lectio Divina

For centuries, the discipline of lectio divina (divine or spiritual reading) has been used as a means to help the truth of scripture sink into our hearts. Lectio begins in scripture and ends in prayer and is comprised of four steps.

There is a wonderful story of an old Russian peasant who would come and sit before the crucifix for hours. One day the priest asked him, “You come here everyday and just sit. What are you doing?” To that he responded, “I look at him. He looks at me. And we are happy.”

Remember, we practice lectio not for what we get out of it, but out of love for our Lord. God may choose to really sink a point home, or He may choose to let you simply spend some good time in His Word. Whatever the immediate result, the ultimate benefit of this discipline is found in its long-term regular practice.

To do lectio, set aside 20 to 30 minutes and enjoy a text like Mark 10:46-52, Luke 10:38-42 or Acts 3:3-6 and begin following the path outlined below. Note the difference between meditation and contemplation: Meditation is actively considering the elements of God’s truth (like evaluating the elements of a painting). Contemplation is passively enjoying of God’s presence (like admiring the painting not evaluating it).

FOUR STEPS:

Listen: Read the text out loud reflectively and gentle-paced. Listen for a word or phrase that speaks to you. (To what is God’s Spirit drawing your attention?) Stop and ponder that word a bit. Ask: God, what is it you want to say to me right now?

Meditate (Reflect): This involves an active mind reflecting on where you are in the text. Use your God-given imagination to join the Word with your heart. Picture the scene, feel the heat, taste the dust, feel the sting of rejection or the lift of hope as Jesus calls your name. Ask: God, what are you saying to me in this phrase?

Pray (Respond): Pray the words which naturally flow from your time in meditation. This is your response to what you have already seen, heard and assimilated. It could be anguish, repentance, joy, gratitude or anything. Ask: In what direction am I moved to pray?

Contemplate (Enjoy / Receive): Here you move from the activity of prayer to the stillness of contemplation—a resting in God’s presence. Remain in peace and stillness before God with the desire to rest in the divine presence. Be receptive to do whatever God asks. Ask: God, how are you revealing yourself to me?
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