Lectio Divina: an ancient contemplative practice

Ever wonder what it means to actually “meditate” on God’s Word? Maybe you’ve tried, only to find yourself confused, distracted, or unsure of what’s “supposed” to happen.

If this is you, you’re certainly not alone. Over the years, countless scholars and theologians have devoted their entire lives to better understanding and applying the Scriptures. There is so much here. And rather than speed reading the texts, trying to consume as much as you can in one reading, I’ve found it helpful to slow down and take in small parts at a time. This Lectio Divina practice can help you do just that.

What is the Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina is a Latin phrase referring to the “reading of Holy Scripture.” It is an ancient practice of praying the Scriptures that dates back to the early years of the Christian church.

Anytime I’m feeling on-edge or shaky with life, or with my faith, I find comfort in returning to the early practices of the Christian church. Here, there is beautiful, rich tradition to help us, even in our modern era.

Lectio Divina encourages us to slow down, savor, and engage with Scripture in a more personal way. The goal is to deepen our union with God and hear Him speaking to us through His Living word.

In his book, Finding Sanctuary, Fr Christopher Jamison, former Abbot of Worth Abbey in Sussex, England writes of three key features of lectio divina:

• The selected passage of Scripture for meditation is meant to be a “gift to be received, not a problem to be dissected…”
• In order to receive what the text has to offer, we must read it slowly
• The lectio divina is fundamentally a way of prayer

Practicing Lectio Divina

Here is the basic outline of the Lectio Divina, as written by Father Christopher:

“Before reading pray that God will speak to you through the text. During reading, allow the reading to evolve into meditation and then into prayer and finally contemplation. When the reading is concluded, keep some phrase in mind and repeat it throughout the day so that prayerful reading becomes prayerful living.”

The following Lectio Divina exercise was adapted from from ‘Reflections for Daily Prayer Advent 2012 to Eve of Advent 2013’ (CHP 2012 Pgs. 6 & 7) by Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford, England:

Start with Silence

This is a way of praying that starts with our silence. We can often make the mistake of thinking prayer is about what we say to God. It is actually the other way around. God wants to speak to us, and He will do this through the Scriptures.

So don’t worry about what to say. Don’t worry if nothing jumps out at you at first. God is patient. He will wait for the opportunity to get in. He will give you a word and lead you to understand its meaning for you today.

Keeping all this in mind, choose a passage of Scripture to pray and meditate upon.

Here are a few of my favorites to help you get started:

Perfect love drive out fear

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love”

1 John 4:16-18

Lessons from Mary and Martha

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

Let your light shine

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14 – 16

The son is the radiance of God’s glory

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Hebrews 1:1-4

First reading of the passage: Listen

Begin to read your selected passage for the first time. Remember to read it slowly and patiently. Resist the urge to rush through it.

Listen for any words or phrases that stick out to you as you read. Allow these phrases to arise as if God was speaking directly to you.

Sit in silence and and repeat the word or phrase in your head. And then say it out loud.

Consider the passage from 1 John 4:18:

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love”

Here, I am drawn over and over again to the phrase, “There is no fear in love.”

Second reading of the passage: Ponder

Read the passage again. Consider how this word or phrase speaks to your life and why it has connected with you. Ponder it carefully.

Don’t worry if you get distracted – the thoughts that come up could even give you clues to why it sticks out to you, and it may be part of your response as you offer it back to God

Continue to sit in silence and then frame a single sentence that begins to say aloud what this word or phrase says to you.

From the 1 John passage, I frame the sentence, “I do not have to fear failure, punishment, or rejection; for God’s perfect love is enough to sustain me.“

Third reading of the passage: Pray

Read the passage a final time and ask what Christ is calling from you. What is it that you need to do, consider, relinquish, or take on as a result of what God is saying to you in this word or phrase?

In response to 1 John, I am reminded of my need to relinquish control over others’ opinions of me, and my own “striving” for love and approval.

Contemplation

The final step of the lectio divina practice is contemplation; a period of silent and loving admiration for what has been read and suggested by the Holy Spirit.

As Thomas Merton writes,

“Contemplation is essentially a listening in silence, and expectancy. True contemplation is… a theological grace. It is sharing through the Holy Spirit in the infinite charity of God”

Thomas Merton, Contemplative Prayer

Continue to sit in silence and allow yourself to just be in the presence of God. Pay attention to what it feels like to be loved, and to be His child. Words are not necessary in this space; just ground yourself in this loving relationship and embrace.

As you contemplate and pray, consider this definition of prayer:

“At its heart, prayer is contemplative, a pure looking at God, a pure acquiescence to his being as to ourselves, to his quality as Father and to our condition as his children”

S Pinckaers, OP, Passions and Virtue

As you come to an end of this practice, hold tight to any words or messages you received from the text, and meditate on them throughout the day.

May this practice help you rediscover and savor the beauty of Scripture, and ground you deeply in a genuine, personal relationship with our Lord.

Shalom.