Lectio Divina: A Simple Guide
A primer on the method of divine reading.
Those who know me well know that Lectio Divina is part of my time of daily personal prayer and also part of the way I do ministry. Lectio Divina is a way to read and pray with the Bible. These two Latin words mean “Divine Reading.” The Bible is different from any other book you will ever read because it is God’s Word. When we read the Bible, we know that God has something to say to us. Lectio Divina is an ancient, monastic practice of praying with Scripture that helps our heart listen for God’s message and to meditate on it. For those of you who are interested in learning how to pray with Scripture, this simple guide can get you started.
Before you begin to work through the steps in a time of prayer, choose a relatively short Scripture passage to pray with. If you need some inspiration, you might consider John 15:1–5, or you can always pray with the Gospel of the day from Mass. (You can find the daily Mass readings on the USCCB website, or download iBreviary on your phone.)
The Four Steps of Lectio Divina
1. Lectio (Reading)
This step begins with a simple prayer to the Holy Spirit, such as, “Come, Holy Spirit.” Take a deep breath and become aware of God’s presence. Read the passage slowly, letting the words wash over you and sink in. Pause for a minute in silence, then read the passage again. Is there a word or phrase that tugs at your heart? Does something seem to jump off the page?
2. Meditatio (Meditation)
Now take some time to ponder that word or message in your heart. What does this word or passage mean? How does it challenge or inspire you? Why do you think that word or phrase sticks out? What thoughts, memories, desires, or emotions does this passage stir up in you? What do you think the Lord is saying to you?
3. Oratio (Prayer)
How does this passage lead you to pray? What do I say to the Lord in response to His word? Converse with God from your heart — what do you wish to say to Him or ask Him? Are you moved to tell God that you love Him? Are you moved to thank and praise Him? Do you need to pray for someone or something? What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of you? Take a few moments to lift up your heart to God in prayer.
4. Contemplatio (Contemplation)
Now be still. This step is very simple. It’s also very challenging for those of us immersed in a noisy and active culture. Begin by taking a few deep breaths. Quiet your mind and your heart. Try to stop thinking with your head. Instead, just listen with your heart. Receive the love and the healing which the Lord desires to give you. Take as long as you like to allow your heart to rest in God.
Finally, in your own words, thank Jesus for being present, for listening, and for speaking to your heart. For example, you could say:
Jesus, thank you for being present to me in your Word. Let it fill my mind and heart the rest of this day. Help me to always listen to you. Amen.
That’s the gist of it. Four steps and anywhere from 10–20 minutes on average (though, obviously you could pray for much longer). As we approach Christmas, consider making Lectio Divina part of your daily prayer time. You might even pray with each of the key passages containing the parts of the Christmas story:
Annunciation to Mary (Lk 1:26–38)
Annunciation to Joseph (Mt 1:18–24)
Birth of Jesus (Lk 2:1–7)
Announcement for the Shepherds (Lk 2:8–14)
Visit of the Shepherds (Lk 2:15–20)
Presentation (Lk 2:22–38)
Visit of the Magi (Mt 2:1–12)
Actio: A Fifth Step?
To the four traditional steps of Lectio, Pope Benedict XVI introduces a fifth one. He calls this actio (action). In all reality, it is less of a methodological step and more the living fruit of a life transformed by Lectio Divina. Benedict XVI insists that Lectio Divina reaches its goal in actio, a response to God’s word. He says, “The process of lectio divina is not concluded until it arrives at action, which moves the believer to make his or her life a gift for others in charity.”[1] In Lectio Divina, the believer receives the love of God, and this love invites the believer to respond by making a gift of him/herself in turn. Actio is the manifestation of charity in the life of the believer.
Given Benedict XVI’s emphasis on actio, I think it’s fitting to conclude with these words from Ven. Madeleine Delbrêl:
The Gospel is the Book of the Life of the Lord. It was made in order to become the book of our life. It was not made to be understood but to be approached as a threshold of mystery. It was not made to be read, but to be received in us. Each of its words is spirit and life…Alive, they are themselves like the initial leavening that will attack our dough and ferment it into a new way of life… The words of the Gospel knead us, modify us, assimilate us, so to speak, into themselves. The words of the Gospel are miraculous.
[1] Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini, 87.