Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is Latin for "divine reading." It is the slow and contemplative process of praying through the scriptures to enable a vibrant connection with God.

Lectio - reading/listening
LECTIO is reverential listening; listening both in a spirit of silence and of awe. We are listening for the still, small voice of God that will speak to us personally - not loudly, but intimately. In lectio we read slowly, attentively, gently listening to hear a word or phrase that is God's word for us this day.

Meditatio - meditation
This is the second step or stage of lectio divina - meditatio. Through meditatio we allow God's word to become His word for us, a word that touches us and affects us at our deepest levels. We must take in the word - that is, memorize it - and while gently repeating it to ourselves, allow it to interact with our thoughts, our hopes, our memories, and our desires.

Do you sometimes find your self wandering off into a thought when reading? If this happens, take advantage of a time of meditatio. continue to wander until a word comes to mind. I may read a verse and a word will just jump into my thoughts and start a race of feelings, emotions and thoughts. This, I have found, births a fire within me to continue to learn about that one word. Then, for some reason, I find that God is right there, teaching me and speaking to me over one tiny word. It then becomes a transformation in my life, where I have connected with God in an intimate way.

Oratio - prayer
The third step in lectio divina is oratio - prayer: prayer understood both as dialogue with God, that is, as loving conversation with the One who has invited us into His embrace; and as consecration, prayer as the priestly offering to God of parts of ourselves that we have not previously believed God wants. In this oratio, this consecration- prayer, we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.

This is a time when you may have to remember God knows everything. This is a good time to let it all out and be truly honest with yourself. Since God already knows it all, He will be blessed when you are willing to be transformed through prayer, and honesty with yourself.

Contemplatio- contemplation
Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. Wordless, quiet rest in the presence of the One who loves us has a name in the Christian tradition - contemplatio, contemplation. Once again, we practice silence, letting go of our own words; this time simply enjoying the experience of being in the presence of God.

I know when reading this, many of us will think it to be impossible to perform Lectio Divina in our crazy, chaotic lives. This is not true. If you start out by doing this maybe once a month, then once a week, then several times a week, it will become a part of your "schedule" as you see the personal connection you will have with God. Try taking time in the morning, before everyone wakes, or before bed, where you can continue the process of silence throughout the night. Maybe make a plan to do this as you would an important appointment and find childcare so that you can go away from it all to renew yourself. Many times Jesus would go out to a place of quiet to be with God, why shouldn't we?

Practicing Lectio Divinia

CHOOSE a text of the Scriptures that you wish to pray. It makes no difference which text is chosen, as long as one has no set goal of "covering" a certain amount of text: the amount of text "covered" is in God's hands, not yours.

PLACE yourself in a comfortable position and allow yourself to become silent. Focus on your breathing or recite a short prayer to calm your thoughts to silence. For some, the practice known as "centering prayer" makes a good, brief introduction to lectio divina. Use whatever method is best for you and allow yourself to enjoy silence for a few moments.

TURN to the text and read it slowly, gently. Savor each portion of the reading, constantly listening for the "still, small voice" of a word or phrase that somehow says, " I am for you today." Do not expect lightening or ecstasies. In lectio divina God is teaching us to listen to Him, to seek Him in silence. He does not reach out and grab us; rather, He softly, gently invites us ever more deeply into His presence.

TAKE the word or phrase into yourself. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas. Do not be afraid of "distractions." Memories or thoughts are simply parts of yourself which, when they rise up during lectio divina, are asking to be given to God along with the rest of your inner self. Allow this inner pondering, this rumination, to invite you into dialogue with God.

SPEAK to God. Whether you use words or ideas or images or all three is not important. Interact with God as you would with one who you know loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in yourself during your experience of meditatio. Experience yourself as the priest that you are. Experience God using the word or phrase that He has given you as a means of blessing, of transforming the ideas and memories, which your pondering His word has awakened. Give to God what you have found within your heart.

SIMPLY rest in God's embrace. And when He invites you to return to your pondering of His word or to your inner dialogue with Him, do so. Learn to use words when words are helpful, and to let go of words when they no longer are necessary. Rejoice in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity