What is Lectio Divina?
Lectio Divina is an ancient Catholic method of praying with Scripture that involves reading, meditating, praying, and contemplating God's Word. The Catholic Church teaches that Lectio Divina is not just a way to study the Bible, but a method of encountering God through His Word and allowing it to transform our hearts and minds. This practice has been used by monks and religious for centuries and is now practiced by Catholics around the world as a way to deepen their relationship with God and grow in their understanding of Scripture. Lectio Divina is particularly powerful because it helps us move beyond simply reading the Bible to truly encountering God through His Word.
The Bible itself encourages us to meditate on God's Word, with many references to the importance of Scripture in our spiritual life. From the Psalms which speak of meditating on God's law day and night, to St. Paul's exhortation to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly, to Jesus' own practice of using Scripture in His teaching and prayer, Scripture shows us that God's Word is meant to be pondered, prayed, and lived. The Bible also teaches that God speaks to us through His Word and that taking time to listen to Him can lead to spiritual growth and transformation.
Why Practice Lectio Divina?
Practicing Lectio Divina is important because it helps us develop a deeper relationship with God and grow in our understanding of Scripture. When we practice Lectio Divina, we're not just reading the Bible - we're allowing God to speak to us through His Word and to transform our hearts and minds. This practice helps us move beyond a superficial understanding of Scripture to a deeper, more personal encounter with God. It also helps us develop the ability to listen to God's voice and to recognize when He is speaking to us through His Word.
Lectio Divina also helps us develop the virtues needed for spiritual growth. When we practice this method of prayer, we're asking God to help us develop patience, humility, and a spirit of receptivity. This practice helps us remember that prayer is not just about talking to God, but about listening to Him and allowing Him to transform us. Most importantly, practicing Lectio Divina helps us grow in our love for God and in our desire to know Him more deeply through His Word.
How to Practice Lectio Divina
To practice Lectio Divina effectively, begin by creating a quiet, peaceful environment where you can focus on God's Word without distractions. Choose a passage of Scripture that you want to pray with, perhaps a Gospel reading from Mass or a passage that speaks to your current situation. Take a few moments to quiet your mind and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and pray with the Scripture passage.
Begin with Lectio (reading), slowly and prayerfully reading the Scripture passage several times, allowing the words to sink into your heart. Then move to Meditatio (meditation), reflecting on what the passage means and how it applies to your life. Next, practice Oratio (prayer), responding to God from your heart, perhaps asking Him questions or expressing your feelings about what you've read. Finally, practice Contemplatio (contemplation), simply resting in God's presence and allowing Him to speak to your heart.
What to Focus On
When practicing Lectio Divina, focus on several key areas. Focus on the words and phrases that stand out to you, asking God to help you understand why these particular words are speaking to your heart. Focus on how the passage relates to your current situation, asking God to help you see how His Word applies to your life right now. Focus on what God might be saying to you through this passage, asking Him to help you recognize His voice and to understand His message.
Focus on how the passage calls you to respond, asking God to help you understand what He wants you to do or how He wants you to change. Focus on the emotions and feelings that arise as you pray with the passage, asking God to help you understand what these feelings might be telling you about your relationship with Him. Remember that the goal is not to analyze the text intellectually, but to encounter God personally through His Word.
Frequency of Practice
Lectio Divina can be practiced as often as you like, but many people find it helpful to practice it daily, perhaps in the morning before starting their day or in the evening before bed. You might start with just 15-20 minutes and gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable with the practice. It's also helpful to practice Lectio Divina with the Scripture readings from Mass, allowing the liturgy to guide your prayer and meditation.
You might also want to practice Lectio Divina with specific books of the Bible, such as the Gospels, the Psalms, or the letters of St. Paul, allowing yourself to become familiar with different parts of Scripture. The key is to make Lectio Divina a regular part of your spiritual life and to be patient with yourself as you learn to practice this method of prayer.
Overcoming Lectio Divina Challenges
Many people face challenges in practicing Lectio Divina, such as difficulty focusing, not understanding the Scripture passage, or feeling that they're not doing it correctly. These challenges are normal and don't mean that you can't practice Lectio Divina or that you're a bad person. Prayer helps us work through these challenges and develop the skills and patience we need to practice Lectio Divina effectively.
When you're facing challenges in practicing Lectio Divina, bring these challenges to God in prayer. Ask Him to help you understand the Scripture passage, to focus your attention, and to guide your prayer and meditation. Remember that God wants you to grow in your understanding of His Word and that He will help you practice Lectio Divina effectively if you ask Him and remain open to His guidance.
The Power of God's Word
One of the most important aspects of practicing Lectio Divina is recognizing the power and beauty of God's Word. The Catholic Church teaches that Scripture is the inspired Word of God and that it has the power to transform our hearts and minds. When we practice Lectio Divina, we're not just reading words - we're encountering the living God who speaks to us through His Word.
God's Word is particularly powerful in Lectio Divina because it allows us to hear His voice directly and to respond to Him from our hearts. When we practice Lectio Divina, we're allowing God to speak to us personally and to transform us through His Word. Trust that God wants to speak to you through Scripture and that He will reveal Himself to you if you ask Him and remain open to His Word.