Lectio Divina (pronounced "Lec-tsee-oh Di-vee-nah") means "Divine Reading" and refers specifically to a method of Scripture reading practiced by monastics since the beginning of the Church.
You can "do" lectio on your own, or with others
Take a passage of scripture - sometimes the gospel for the next weekend is good - helps get you more "in the zone" for when you hear it the next time.
 Lectio Divina (pronounced "Lec-tsee-oh Di-vee-nah") means "Divine Reading" and refers specifically to a method of Scripture reading practiced by monastics since the beginning of the Church.
You can "do" lectio on your own, or with others
Take a passage of scripture - sometimes the gospel for the next weekend is good - helps get you more "in the zone" for when you hear it the next time.
read it slowly and reflectively so that it sinks in. Any passage of Scripture can be used for this way of prayer but the passage should not be too long. It helps if you read it out loud.
stop and look at the passage again, quietly.
read it again (if you are in a group, have a different voice read it)
look at what words or phrases jump out at you.
If you are on your own, you may like to write soemthing about them in your journal. If you are in a group, you may like to share what you learnt, but don't turn it into a long discussion. Some groups just like to say the word or phrase out loud with no explanation.
Lectio Divina may involve discussing the implications of gospel for daily life but it's not about this. It is supposed to be about sitting with the word of God in silence. If the group is comfortable with silence, more time could be spent resting in the Word.
Sit and read the passage again quietly to yourself.
The final stage of Lectio Divina is where you let go of all your thoughts and just sit with the Word of God. Try to listen at the deepest level of your being to God. He speak with a still small voice in our hearts.
As we listen, we are gradually transformed from within, which will have a huge effect on the way we actually live. From this we take God's word into our daily lives. |
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