What Is Lectio Divina?
Lectio Divina (divine reading) is an ancient and traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer. It’s intention is to promote communion with God. It does not approach scripture as texts to be studied but rather encountered as the living word.
Before the emergence of monastic communities in the west, Origen(3CE) was a major contributor to this form of scriptural reading. Origen believed that The Word (i.e. Logos) was incarnate in Scripture. Scripture could therefore touch and teach readers and hearers. Origen's methods were then learned by Ambrose of Milan, who towards the end of the 4th century taught Saint Augustine, who in turn introduced them to the monastic traditions of the Western Church. Regardless of how we view the authority of scripture - they believed that God’s breath brings insight and revelation as we read.
Lectio Divina helps us to pay attention, to notice, to be captivated and curious about our responses and reactions. It invites us to consider what insights we may sense about ourselves and God’s nature and character. It also encourages us to be sensitive to God's leading - trusting that whatever we encounter is meant just for us at this point in our spiritual journey.
We do not need to force or manufacture any responses; we simply notice and allow the image to come alive with personal meaning, trusting in God’s loving gaze upon us as we journey.
What Are The Movements Of Lectio Divina?
Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four separate steps: read (lectio); reflect (meditatio) ; respond (oratio); contemplate / rest in (contemplatio). During this practice a person will aim to read or listen to a Biblical text with the intention of listening with the ear of the heart, as if he or she is in conversation with God. We have added preparation, preparation and action to these movements.
Prepare
Take a moment to pray and bring yourself towards stillness. Offer to God anything that is weighing on your mind and heart. Allow his loving gaze to become present. If you don't sense this straight away, trust that his eyes are turned towards you. Bring yourself to God with love and openness. Trust him to give you whatever you need in your time together.
Lectio.
On your first reading you will listen with your senses - without thinking too much about the meaning of the text. Attend to your imagination, noting the smells, sounds and images that arise as you hear the passage. Allow yourself to enter into the setting using your imagination.
Meditatio.
The second time, engage your thoughts or thinking to reflect on the meaning and significance of the passage. Consider why the passage is included in Scripture. What does it mean? How does it affect your understanding of God?
Oratio.
The third time attend to your feelings. What is stirring in you? What emotions are you encountering? Note your feelings and silently offer them back to God as a prayer of the heart.
Contemplatio.
Read the passage a final time, but this time listen with your intuition and your heart. Don’t force yourself or strive to receive, just remain open to the passage and to the Spirit trusting in God’s loving gaze and lead.
Once you feel you have reached a natural conclusion offer thanks to God for your experience.
Rest
When you have finished your prayerful response, take a moment to rest in God's loving presence.
Action
Return one final time to your time with God. Listen and notice how He has been speaking to you. To conclude take an image, a word or phrase that has touched you and allow this to echo throughout the rest of your day. What invitation do you sense?