lectio divina

While doing a tiny bit of research for a friend I stumbled upon this well worn gem called "lectio divina". It's an old Christian practice that beautifully, and meditatively, brings prayer and scripture reading together. It can be a powerful practice. I was reminded of it again while looking through the book "The Inner Room: A Journey into Lay Monasticism", by Mark Plaiss (2003). I think I may try to incorporate lectio divina into my week, and see how it goes. I invite you to join me, perhaps with reading the Psalms. Let me know how it goes if you do. Here's the excerpt from the book:

Chapter 12: More Prayer
“…Monasticism has a special tradition with scripture. That tradition is known as lectio divina, or holy reading. First and foremost, lectio is prayer. In lectio you do not so much read scripture as heart it with your heart. Lectio is not an academic exercise. In lectio you do not read scripture to decipher theology or prove a point. Lectio is not about knowing God, it is about experiencing God. Lectio is about listening.

Lectio is not a devotional. In a devotional, the person is active, petitioning, praising or beseeching God. The line of action goes from person to God. Lectio is just the opposite; God comes to the person and the person listens.

Lectio divina begins with a deep reverence for the Word. In Bible study, one may mark the text, underlining certain passages or scribbling comments in the margins of the page. That is not the case with lectio. Here, you do not impose your opinions or thoughts on the text.

You do not, however, simply grab a copy of the Bible, flop down in a chair, open the book and begin immediately to plow through Paul. Before entering into lectio, you cut yourself off from where you have been: going to another room of the house, leaving the house and going to church, stepping outside to the quiet of the yard or a park. Having found the appropriate site for prayer, you prepare your mind and soul for prayer. You take some deep breaths; you ask for God’s presence. One such prayer might be, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love.” Many kneel or light candles as this prayer is prayed. The idea is that you are separating yourself – emotionally, physically, and spiritually – from what you had been doing prior to lectio.

You begin by reading the text slowly, and aloud, if desired. Reading aloud dispels distractions and helps to internalize the words being read. There is something about words rolling off the tongue that gives them more impact. You read until a certain word or phrase strikes a chord. That word or phrase is then repeated over and over, allowing it to seep into the soul. This rumination is the prayer. This is the essence of lectio. The chewing and the gnawing of the Word brings God into the depths of your being.

How much text should be covered in one reading? That is the beauty of lectio. There are no rules, and therefore no pressure, about the amount of text to be read at any one sitting. On time only a single verse may be covered. At another time only half of a verse may be read. Still other times several verses of scripture may be covered. Several months may be required to read an entire book of the Bible. The amount of text covered is never the issue. The issue is allowing whatever is read to be mulled over in the heart, allowing God to enter your being.

Although the amount of text to be covered is never important, consistently practicing lectio is important. Lectio should become a habit. Breaking open the Word should be a regular form of prayer…”