How to Participate in Lectio Divina
The process of Lectio Divina (a Latin phrase that translates to "Divine Reading") offers individuals an in-depth method for learning more about God's word, becoming even more inspired by the Holy Spirit, developing a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, and connecting the faithful through a sense of community. This exercise, which involves four steps (reading/listening, reflecting, responding, and resting in God), is often used in the Catholic church but also applies to the Christian faith in general.
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Instructions
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1
Choose a scripture passage (perhaps a reading from one of the gospels), and read (or listen to) the words once. Determine whether any specific phrases (or even a single word) immediately jump out at you. For example, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus" (Luke 16: 19-31), the words "... but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony" may stick out in your mind.
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Reflect and meditate in a quiet, attentive way on the words that you have particularly noticed, letting your mind focus solely on them. You may discover that these words mean something specific to you. For example, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus may stir in you feelings of awareness of and compassion for those who are suffering.
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3
Respond to these words and feelings, possibly by speaking aloud a spontaneous prayer (thanksgiving, petition) that comes to mind. For example, after reading the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, you may feel in your heart the desire to thank God for the opportunity to help others and to see Christ in every person you encounter.
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4
Contemplate what has just happened. This final step is sometimes called "resting in God." Simply allow yourself to be in God's presence in a contemplative, reflective manner. Think about what you've learned from this exercise.
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Return to the scripture passage and repeat the process if you find yourself being led back to it again.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't worry if you're new to the concept of Lectio Divina and are having trouble with it at first; it usually takes some practice. If you find that your mind wanders a little during contemplation/reflection, gently bring your thoughts back to the passage you're focusing upon.
Lectio Divina is best practiced in a quiet, meditative, reflective environment, so you may want to avoid noisy, chaotic situations in order to truly focus your thoughts.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bible image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
