This is a practice that I’ve come to appreciate over the past few months.
LECTIO DIVINA
Some 1800 years ago men and women retreated into solitude to find rest in the presence of the Lord and hope in the scriptures. Thus, the practice of Lectio Divina or ‘Sacred Reading’ was developed as a way of meditating on the scriptures. Traditionally it involved a slow reading of a chosen text from the Bible (no more than 8-10 verses) and allowing the words to speak in new ways. There are four movements to Lectio Divina.
Reading (lectio) - Slowly read the passage or have someone read it aloud. Read the passage several times. Approach it reverently and expectantly, in a way that savors each phrase and every word. Read the passage until you hear a word or phrase that moves you, resonates with you or even disturbs you.
Reflecting (meditatio) - Ponder this word or phrase. Listen for what the Lord is saying to you through this word or phrase, what He may be offering you, what He may be asking of you.
Expressing (oratio) – When you are ready, openly and honestly express to God the prayers that arise spontaneously within you from your experience of this word or phrase. These may be prayers of thanksgiving, petition, intercession, lament, or praise.
Resting (contemplatio) - Allow yourself to simply rest silently for a time, remaining open to the quiet fullness of God’s word for you. This is like the silent communion between a mother and the sleeping child in her embrace; or between lovers whose communication transcends words.
These four movements of Lectio Divina may not always follow a linear progression. Allow yourself freedom. The aim is to move into the depths of silence and stillness where we can hear the Word spoken to us in love and respond to this Word with our love and our life. This is a gentle invitation to move from silence into the scriptures and back into silence, dwelling there in the presence of God.
MARANATHA
Welcome to Lectio Divina | Lectio Divina. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lectiodivina.co.uk/>.
