As a non-Catholic, I have to say, I studied Lectio Divina last year and found it extremely helpful because it doesn’t stop at just reading for memorization or even understanding, but takes these steps as well as practical application to your personal life.
I’ve taken it up over the last six months and I agree. I now do it daily “first thing”. One thing it does is focus me on asking God what He wants me to learn and DO, rather than what my intellectual pride wants to know.
I think if all Christians took this approach to Scriptures, we’d spend less time arguing over who’s right and more time obeying Christ.
Excellent point.
To the OP just get started. Some advice I’ve picked up from a couple of places:
Lectio divina should not be treated casually.
Select the Bible passages in advance. Choose an appropriate time and place so to fully engage without distraction. One then must take the time to ease into a prayerful state of mind and begin with a prayer before reading.
Four P’s:
• Passage: from Scripture – Have the passage picked and ready.
• Place: sit where you are alone and uninhibited in response to God’s presence.
• Posture: relaxed and peaceful.
• Presence of God: be aware of it and acknowledge and respond to it.
Lectio divina steps:
• Step 1: Lectio (read), and involves reading the Scriptural passages slowly, and attentively, several times if necessary.
• Step 2: Meditatio (editate). In this the reader takes the passage and reflects on it more slowly. Consider the details of the passage, and in what ways God was present. “What does the passage say about God? What does this passage mean to me?”
• Step 3: Oratio (prayer). Pray over the passage. The operative question during this step is, “Now that I reflected and gained some meaning into the passage, what do I want to pray for?” You may be prompted to offer prayers of thanksgiving. You may need to pray for someone else. Perhaps you realize you should pray for a change in behavior.
• Step 4: Contemplatio (contemplation). One remains in silent contemplation, accepting Christ’s presence and embrace. This is a time for us to listen for God’s quiet voice deep within us. If nothing else, it is a time to sit and rest in God’s loving presence.
OTHER THINGS I’VE LEARNED
- Most people recommend the gospels, so that you are focusing on Christ’s actions and words. Remember, HIS words are spirit and life.
- I started with John’s gospel. I do about 10 verses a day, depending on how the passages break out. Most bibles give you help with that.
- Next will be Matthew, then Mark, then Luke, then back to John.
- I started with a goal of spending 15 minutes – which is about 4 minutes per step. It doesn’t need to be any more than that.
- I sometimes write down what “comes out” in a journal.
- I focus on what God is trying to tell me about how I need to live my life.
- On the contemplation part - just sit quiet. If you get distracted, just take note of the distraction and bring yourself back to focus. If it helps have a picture or remember “be still and know that I am God.” DON’T GET MAD OR DISCOURAGED IF YOU ARE DISTRACTED. Satan wins when that happens.
