Spirituality #1 - Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is the basic meditative practice of Benedictine monks, a way of reading the Scripture with a prayerful attentiveness to the immediate presence of God. At its core, Lectio Divina involves listening deeply to God’s word addressed personally to you. In that way, Lectio Divina moves toward contemplation.

The original practice has expanded from the attentive reading of Scripture or commentaries by the early Fathers of the Church to include spiritual reading in the broadest sense of the word. At the risk of sounding too conservative, I would recommend initially limiting the process to either scripture or Christian “classics” for a while -- the value and joy of Lectio Divina lies in its ability to increase one’s attention to the presence of God rather than intellectual stimulation. Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest, or even the Rule of St. Benedict would likely be better choices than, say, The Cabin.

In order to practice Lectio Divina, select a time and place that is peaceful and in which you may be alert and prayerfully attentive. Dispose yourself for prayer in whatever way is natural for you. This may be a spoken prayer to God to open you more fully to the Spirit, a gentle relaxation process that focuses on breathing, singing or chanting, or simply a few minutes of silence to empty yourself of thoughts, images, and emotions.

Reading (lectio) - Slowly begin reading a biblical passage as if it were a long awaited personal letter addressed to you. Approach it reverentially and expectantly, in a way that savors each word and phrase. Read the passage until you hear a word or phrase or image that touches you, resonates, attracts or even disturbs you.

Reflecting (meditatio) - Ponder this word or phrase for a few minutes. Let it sink in slowly and deeply until you are resting in it. Listen for what the word or phrase is saying to you at this moment in your life, what it may be offering to you, what it may be demanding of you. The word or phrase may be grounded in unconditional love (“Gospel”), in God’s expectations of you (“Law”), or a mixture of both.

Expressing (oratio) - When you feel ready, openly and honestly express to God the prayers that arise spontaneously within you from your experience of this word or phrase. These may be prayers of thanksgiving, petition, intercession, lament, or praise.

Resting (contemplatio) - Allow yourself to simply rest silently with God for a time in the stillness of your heart, remaining open to the quiet fullness of God’s love and peace. This is like the silence of communion between the mother holding her sleeping infant child where communication passes beyond words into pure relationship.

Blessings!
Pastor Garry