| Lectio
Divina
(Sacred Reading)
by Rev. Deborah Hart
Lectio Divina is an ancient way of devotion, based on the
Scriptures as a living reality interacting with one’s
life and revealing a word from God for this particular time
and place and person. There are four basic steps in the process,
known as: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation, in the
sense of reflection), oratio (prayer) and contemplatio (contemplation).
- Lectio (reading): To begin, one chooses a passage of scripture,
perhaps a daily reading or one reflecting some theme. Read
the passage slowly, and preferably aloud, and expect a word
or phrase to speak to you. When it does, either note it
and continue the passage or simply stop when that word or
phrase is encountered. Learning to read devotionally, and
not for information or to “get finished” takes
some practice. It is counter-cultural. Take time and “listen”
for God to speak to you through the divine Word.
- Meditatio (meditation): This second step involves spending
time with the word or phrase and wondering why it spoke
to you. It is a dialogue between the word and one’s
own life. Ask God for some insight. Search your own context
that may reveal some sadness, happiness, stress or difficulty.
Are you trying to make an important decision? Do you need
to forgive or be forgiven? Are you looking for a pathway
forward? Perhaps this is a word of blessing. What’s
happening in your life or the life of the world right now
that caused this word or phrase to speak to you? Explore
it without fear, knowing God walks the journey with you.
- Oratio (prayer): Once the word has touched your heart
or mind or whole being in some way, a response is natural.
We are led to pray. That may be in word or gesture, a response
of joy, a tear of sadness, lament or thanksgiving, a prayer
for one’s self or prayers for others or the world.
This is the mutual heart-to-heart time with God that can
be rich and honest and intimate.
- Contemplatio (contemplation): Finally, when the space
grows between the words and one’s thoughts and feelings
have all been expressed, one simply surrenders in love and
in silence to God. This is where the contemplative experience
of prayer enters in. One just comes to “be”
and to “rest” in God’s presence.
The Lectio Divina way of devotion and prayer can be revealing,
healing and transforming. It can deepen our self-understanding
as well as our relationship with the Divine. It is beneficial
when done alone, but also creates a deep bond when done with
a group - as people are invited to share their responses in
steps 1,2,3 aloud if they wish to do so. It is amazing to
hear how God, through the Scriptures, speaks to each of us
in so many different ways.
Thelma Hall’s book “To Deep for Words”
(1988: Paulist Press; ISBN: 0-8091-2959-0) provides more information
about the Lectio Divina process, as well as over
500 scripture passages categorized by themes, that may be
useful for your Lectio Divina practice.
About the author: Rev. Dr. Deborah Hart is the Minister
of Pastoral Care and Outreach at Eglinton St. George’s
United Church in Toronto, Canada.
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