lectio divina

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blackfish152

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I could do a google search and I probably will, but I thought I might ask here to see if anyone does lectio divina. I have been prompted to put this thread in in an attempt to learn from those who actually practice lectio divina.
  1. alone/group, which is best, and why?
  2. does it take a long time to get into before one gets the spiritual benefits?
  3. how much scripture do you hope to cover in one session?
  4. Resources… Can you please post the best of links and books that would give the best introduction to this practice.
 
lectio divina is an important part of our spirituality as Benedictine Oblates, along with the Liturgy of the Hours and application of the Holy Rule in our daily lives. So yes, I have been doing this almost daily for about 5 years. I use the Ignatius Study Bible, going through one book in about a year, although Acts and John’s gospel took longer. whatever book I am using for my spiritual reading I also read in this way, so it takes weeks or months to finish one book. As far as “results” I don’t know what your definition would be, but certainly good things always happen when we spend time with sacred scripture, whether or not we perceive it right away.

I read in sections, breaking where the natural breaks in the “story” occur. I read the section first, then the study notes, looking up any problematic terms or concepts in the appropriate reference work. This preparation is done before the real lectio begins, and I might prepare a whole chapter, then read it in sections over several days during lectio. I keep one journal used only for lectio, and use it only to write the word, phrase or verse that speaks to me, not for any commentary or reflection of my own. There are times when I spend several days in one passage.

Our diocese has launched an effort to promote scripture reading through lectio divina, and has trained at least 100 promoters each in English and Spanish, to go back to their parishes and facilitate this practice in small groups. The procedure is a bit different in groups, but the same idea.

The best way to learn in my opinion is to be taught by someone who uses this practice regularly, in a group or individually. It does take practice, mainly to break our reading habits that we use for normal day to day reading for leisure, pleasure, work, school etc. An easy way to start is with the gospel for the day.

a good intro is Sacred Reading: the Ancient Art of Lectio Divina by Michael Casey from Liguori, he also treats how to read other sacred writings as well as the bible by this method. He is a Cistercian

another good short book packed with good stuff on bible reading, bible study in general, putting lectio in this framework is Nourished by the Word: REading the Bible Contemplatively, by Wilfred Stinissen, also from Liguori. he is a Carmelite
 
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blackfish152:
I could do a google search and I probably will, but I thought I might ask here to see if anyone does lectio divina. I have been prompted to put this thread in in an attempt to learn from those who actually practice lectio divina.
  1. alone/group, which is best, and why?
  2. does it take a long time to get into before one gets the spiritual benefits?
  3. how much scripture do you hope to cover in one session?
  4. Resources… Can you please post the best of links and books that would give the best introduction to this practice.
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Hi Blackfish!

I’ve practised Lecio Divina for a few years now (and now introduce it to univeristy students) The harvest has been ripe indeed! The friut has been plentiful!

Because we practise this at the local university, it is done in a group, although I have done it individually as well. I prefer the group setting, that way one person can read, while the others listen and can focus solely on the verses. Also, it builds a sense of community, I’ve found. The Holy Spirit works wonders through people and I as well as the rest of the group have all benefited from the insights He has given a person.

In answer to your second question- Not at all! I’ve seen and expirenced the spiritual benefits immediatly after the verse is read, or even during the reading. What can take a while is learning to open yourself totally to the Holy Spirit and let Him move within you as He will.

The amount of Scripture covered in one session varies. (at least it does with our group) Usually, five or six verses are read, but, it also depends on the reader for that day. It’s up to the individual really- personally, I start to read and I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me, telling me when He wants me to stop. Always, I’ve just felt at some point that it is enough, and I can stop. That’s the way I approch it when I read, but like I said before, it really depends on the person and what part of Scripture you are reading at that moment.

I hope that helps! I have a book that is great, but unfortuanatly it’s a friend’s, but I’ll get the title and post it as soon as I can.

Take Care and God Bless!

Jade.
 
Thanks for all the great ideas so far.There are a few points with I will have to look at.

As you say, it would be a good idea to learn this in a group and then bring it back to a private situation if that is ones prefered method.

I am actually a university student myself, Jade, I was wanting to attend the lectio course last semester,but the last night I went it wasnt on, so hopefully I can join them, when I start back next week. I am glad u say the harvest was ripe, I was worried that it would be anything but ripe at my university, but all I can do is hope.
I have a book that is great, but unfortuanatly it’s a friend’s, but I’ll get the title and post it as soon as I can.
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I would appreciate that, thanks.

I was reading that lectio is not simply

1, studying the text,
2, reading for private edification, or insight,
3, looking for spiritual meaning, ie something beyond the text,

does this ring true with you guys who do it?

I am confused as to what exactly lectio is!

I thought it would be a kind of rumination/dwelling on a certain phrase for some kind of spiritual inslight to your own private life? is thisactually the case.

Ps I think that puzzle annie, you are on too it, when you study the scripture intensely and try to get all meanings out of it, and then actually go through again with the lectio method. That will probably be the way I will approach it myself-it will satisfy my intellectual quest and spiritual needs also, if that makes sense.

thanks so far, and keep em coming.
 
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blackfish152:
I am actually a university student myself, Jade, I was wanting to attend the lectio course last semester,but the last night I went it wasnt on, so hopefully I can join them, when I start back next week. I am glad u say the harvest was ripe, I was worried that it would be anything but ripe at my university, but all I can do is hope.

I was reading that lectio is not simply

1, studying the text,
2, reading for private edification, or insight,
3, looking for spiritual meaning, ie something beyond the text,

does this ring true with you guys who do it?

I am confused as to what exactly lectio is!
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Hi again!

I hope that you can get into that Lecio course! You are correct to realize that Lecio is not just the above stated points. The main thing about Lecio Divina, is it has nothing, really, to do with us. We don’t do anything except open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit. He does the rest! 😃 Don’t try and force yourself to ‘get something out of it’, leave that to the Holy Spirit- He will show and teach you what it is He wants you to know. And He may not do it through an insight He gives you- He may teach you through a insight He gives someone else.
That’s another reason why I like to teach this prayerful reading in a group setting- we share with each other the word/image that comes to our minds as we hear/read the Scripture. I have found it extremely benefical.
For our group, this is the ‘structure’ that we use:
1)Take a few mintutes to focus on God, to calm your mind of the busy events of the day. Ask God’s help with this.
2)One person reads the Scripture verses out loud VERY SLOWLY, allowing each word to sink in (while not too slow so people loose track of what’s being said)
3)there is a slight pause and the the same verse is read once again, very slowly.
4) After a breif slience, whoever feel ready or comfortable (and not every one needs to do this) they can share a word or thought or image that struck them during the reading. We usually go around the circle.
5) The verses are read a third and final time, slowly, and then each person ( if they feel comfortable to do so) elaborates a bit more on the image, word that struck them.
6) We close with a small prayer.

As to what Lecio Divina is, it’s translated as “Divine Reading” and it is an anicent monastic way of reading Scripture. It’s a prayerful reading of God’s Word.

I hope that answers your question of what Lecio Divina is, if not, google it and you’ll come up with many hits.

Take Care,
Jade.
 
JMJ + OBT​

I make available on my personal website an “essay” on Lectio Divina which you might find helpful:

The Practice of Lectio Divina

You may also download it in RTF and PDF formats.

If you do in fact take time to read it, I would appreciate your feedback. I am not the author of the essay, but I always like to hear others’ thoughts on the spiritual “tools” that I’ve found helpful.

Also, your question is rather timely:

Benedict XVI Promotes Biblical Meditation

In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

IC XC NIKA
 
Thanks

I will most certainly give feedback, your right it is good to get feedback on others thoughts and practices. Hopefully someelse will be forthcoming with comments also.
 
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blackfish152:
, IPs I think that puzzle annie, you are on too it, when you study the scripture intensely and try to get all meanings out of it, and then actually go through again with the lectio method. That will probably be the way I will approach it myself-it will satisfy my intellectual quest and spiritual needs also, if that makes sense.

thanks so far, and keep em coming.
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I appear to have been misunderstood. The study and preparation need not be “intense”, but is done BEFORE beginning lectio, in order to avoid the distractions of looking at footnotes, looking up references etc. The study is not part of lectio and should be done preferably at a different time, earlier in the day or week. The actual lectio avoids the “study” approach in the academic sense.

Pray to the Holy Spirite for enlightenment.
Slow reading of the entire passage.
Read again, slowly and contemplatively, it helps to read aloud at this point, stopping each time a word or phrase resonates or at the end of each verse briefly. Stay with a verse, even reading it again, as long as it holds you. finish the passage in this way.
If a particular verse “speaks” to you write it down in a journal kept exclusively for this purpose (no meditations or reflections in your own words, just the scripture verse).
Read the passage again slowly.
Stop and meditate on thoughts that arise.
Pray from the thoughts and inclinations that arise.
Spend time in silent contemplation.
The entire exercise is very well done when in front of the Blessed Sacrament. In any case, it should be a quiet place free from distractions, including music even instrumental.
 
I am a novice oblate at St. Andrew’s Abbey, a Benedictine community. One of the monks, Father Luke, is also a teacher at St. John’s Seminary and is a gifted scholar. The below link is to his lectio page but there are links to a lot of great info, especially on monasticism and the desert fathers. 😃

ldysinger.com/MONS_423/02_lectio/00a_start.htm also includes audio lectures.

Also, if you google “luke dysinger st. john’s seminary” you will get links to some of his seminary class pages. Great info, including audio lectures.
 
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