Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina
"Out of the silence, the word of God is heard on a much deeper level and with greater openness."
-Fr. Carl Arico
Lectio divina is an ancient spiritual practice for listening to a scripture passage with the ear of the heart. It is not the same as bible study. In lectio divina, we let go of more intellectual, studious, or effortful ways of reading the scripture and enter a state in which we are quiet and receptive to God’s word. We let go of our own words and let God speak to us. In this practice, the words of scripture become alive and touch the heart in spontaneous ways that lead us more deeply into relationship with God.
Here are some very basic instructions for practicing lectio divina:
Find a short scripture passage to read. It’s important that it is a shorter scripture, as you will be reading it through multiple times, and a shorter scripture is easier to focus on. For the purposes of this exercise, I will give you a scripture, but I encourage you to try this with any scripture reading.
Each time you read through your brief scripture passage, make sure that you are reading it slowly and deliberately. Listen to the passage with the ear of the heart. Don’t get distracted by intellectual types of questions about the passage. Just listen to what the passage is saying to you, right now. You may find that it is helpful to meditate or sit in silence for a few minutes before and after looking at the passage. You may find that it will speak to you in a different way out of the silence.
Scripture: Isaiah 43:19-21
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
The wild animals will honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself
so that they might declare my praise.
Movement One (Lectio)
The first reading is an opportunity to get to know the Scripture passage. Listen carefully for any words or phrases that seem to jump out. It’s important not to force things, but wait patiently for God to give gentle guidance. Watch for a key phrase or word that grabs you or holds a special meaning for you. It is better to dwell profoundly on one word or phrase than to skim the surface of the entire scripture.
Movement Two (Meditatio)
Focus further on the points that you became aware of during the first reading. Reflect on what you believe God is saying. Try not to analyze the passage. It’s easy to slip into “study mode” and think about interesting points rather than listening to what God might be saying. Let the special word or phrase that you discovered in the first step sink into your heart. Bring mind, will, and emotions to task.
Movement Three (Oratio)
After a third reading, it’s time to respond. Record your thoughts by journaling. Respond in prayer. Form a prayer that expresses your response to the idea, then “pray it back to God.” What you have read is woven through what you tell God.
Movement Four (Contemplatio)
After the final reading, spend around 10 minutes in silent contemplation. This isn’t a time of prayer or meditation–just sit quietly and allow God to work. When your mind starts to wander and dart here and there, bring it gently back to stillness again. Be still and let God’s loving spirit pour out on you.
Amen.
Rev. Ryan Young
