“I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart”—Pope Benedict XVI.
The essence of prayer is talking and listening to God. Our prayer may be verbal or within the quiet spaces of the mind and heart. We pray with the Church in the Mass and in the many structured devotions given to the faithful over the centuries. We also pray when we share our cares, struggles, and joys with God throughout the day. But we really start to grow in our relationship with God when we develop a consistent habit of life that pursues God through meditation on His Truths. Because God has revealed Himself to us through Sacred Scripture, the Bible is the greatest source for discovering Him more deeply. Reading God’s Word prayerfully and meditating on its passages increases our knowledge of the Truth and enlightens our understanding of God’s love, the goodness of His commands, and His great mercy towards us. This prayerful reading is a form of mental prayer known as Lectio Divina. It is accessible to anyone with a Bible and a few quiet moments, and involves four simple steps:
- Lectio: Reading
- Meditatio: Thinking
- Oratio: Praying
- Contemplatio: Peaceful silence in God’s presence
Let’s look at this ancient practice that opens the way to greater intimacy with God.
What is Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina means “Divine Reading.” It is the practice of reading and meditating on Sacred Scripture with God to discover its meaning in my life, what it calls me to, and how it inspires or commands me to live. While the study of Scripture involves reading the Bible with the help of commentary by Saints and scholars, Lectio Divina is more personal. It is opening ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s action in our lives through God’s Word to enlighten and transform us into Christ (Eph 4:15). It’s not just learning about Christ, His life, and virtues. It’s accompanying Him, walking and talking with Him as He reveals the meaning of His actions and words. It’s asking the Holy Spirit to work His truth deeply in us, showing how it applies to us where we are and how we need to change.
Lectio Divina dates back to the earliest monastic communities, which drew its wisdom directly from ancient Scripture. Joshua, the great Hebrew leader and successor to Moses, was instructed in this prayerful meditation by the Lord Himself as a source of strength and wisdom, and a safeguard against the dissipation that comes from forgetting God’s commands.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success” (Joshua 1:8, RSVCE).
The Psalmist repeatedly speaks of this prayer practice, revealing its power to protect us from sin.
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word. With my whole heart I seek thee; let me not wander from thy commandments! I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee… I will meditate on thy precepts, and fix my eyes on thy ways. I will delight in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word” (Ps 119: 9-11, 15-16)
“Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day” (vs 97)
“My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate upon thy promise” (vs 148).
These passages illustrate the importance and spiritual benefit of meditating on God’s Word.
The early Church fathers and monastic founders believed that meditation on Sacred Scripture was indispensable for advancing in holiness. We see evidence of this in the Rule of St. Benedict, the foundational code which has influenced centuries of Western monasticism. Contained within it are the precepts for prayer and work, and significant periods throughout the day are set apart for reading and meditating on Scripture. Other monastic founders following St. Benedict, incorporated this into their rules as well, so that together with Holy Mass and the Divine Office, Lectio Divina has been practiced daily in the lives of monks and religious orders from their beginnings. These prayers have stood the test of time, produced many saints throughout the ages, and are still a vital part of religious life today.
Let’s look at how it’s done.
Lectio Divina: Steps for Mental Prayer
When engaging in Lectio Divina there are distinct steps to follow. These steps guide us through the exercise and present a framework that fosters opportunity for meditation.
Preparation
While preparation is not technically part of Lectio Divina, all mental prayer is more effective if we prepare ahead. Here, the preparation would consist in selecting a Scripture passage on which to meditate. We may choose it the evening before so that when we enter into morning prayer we have the text of our meditation ready. We can think about the text before prayer, mulling it over and praying for insight from the Holy Spirit. This fully prepares us for the encounter with Jesus that we are anticipating.
We may choose any passage of Scripture. It could be the Gospel passage from the Mass readings for the day, a parable, something from the Sermon on the Mount, or Christ’s passion. If we are reading the Bible daily, there may be a passage we want to return to for a deeper understanding. Once we have made our selection we are ready for the prayerful steps that follow. Plan for at least 15 to 20 minutes of undisturbed time. As we become more familiar with praying the Scriptures, we will see that this brief time allotment goes quickly and may want to extend it.
Lectio
This is the beginning of our mental prayer. We will read over our selected scripture passage – it may be a paragraph or just one verse. It’s helpful to read it in its larger context first, then go back and re-read very slowly, the verse or verses to be meditated. Read it as many times as needed to let the words penetrate and to leave all wandering thoughts behind.
Ask the Holy Spirit for light to see and understand.
Meditatio
We now think about our Scripture passage. We may read over it again as we think and ponder. This thinking engages our imagination to consider the scene. Who is present and what is happening? Guigo II a Cistercian monk of the 12th century wrote a treatise on Lectio Divina. In it, he said, “Meditation [on Scripture] is the busy application of the mind to seek . . . [by] one’s own reason for knowledge of hidden truth” (THE LADDER OF MONKS A Letter on the Contemplative Life, # 68). In another passage, he refers to meditatio as digging for treasure (#79)
For example: If our passage is, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” (Matthew 5:5) we may ponder what is meekness? How did Jesus exemplify this virtue? We might recall how patiently He taught His disciples or responded to the Pharisees’ questions and accusations, never becoming angry or discouraged in the face of adversity, but always addressing his listeners and accusers honestly, peacefully, and clearly. This may help us understand the great strength of meekness, recalling it as the paramount virtue exemplified in Christ’s passion.
Then we may ask, do I show meekness towards others? Especially those who are difficult or accusatory? What is going on in my life that calls me to meekness now? If my situation were to unfold before the eyes of Jesus as He walked in Galilee, how would he instruct me to respond to it? What might He say to those who annoy or trouble me? What else might He say to me? In our meditation, we explore in the light of the Holy Spirit what it means to be “blessed,” to be “meek,” or to “inherit the land.”
Oratio
After we have considered this passage thoroughly – the calling, the promise, the joy and blessing of being united with Christ in this virtue – and knowing we cannot achieve this in our own strength, we are moved to deeper prayer. First, we express thanksgiving to God for opening this passage to us, for intimately revealing Himself to us, and for showing us more about His character. We may confess that we are not meek, that we often react defensively – if not openly, in our hearts at least. We may ask Him to help us with whatever is troubling us, to move by His Spirit into the dark places of our lives, the places closed off to meekness due to fear, anger, or resentment. We ask Him to fill those places with His Spirit, to free us and strengthen us to become meek.
Contemplatio
Guigo II, says this stage occurs when the mind has been lifted up to God through meditation and prayer and is “held above itself so that it tastes the joys of everlasting sweetness” (#68). Contemplation is resting in God – all our racing thoughts are quieted, and our soul waits for God. Sometimes in this stage of Lectio Divina, God speaks heart to heart, illuminating our minds to receive His direction or consolation. Sometimes we sit in silence, adoring God Who has revealed His goodness and mercy through the Sacred Scriptures. Brother Guigo also says that even in silence we can be sure God is there. He is our Father and as soon as He perceives we are turning to Him and remaining with Him, He runs to meet us and to cover us with the cloak of His love (#74).
We often experience deep peace in communion with the Holy Trinity, as all the cares we had when we began our prayer fade into the distance. We may discover later that while we rested in God, He resolved some of those cares and lifted our burdens. He may reveal a clear path we are to take, or reassure us that the cross we bear is intended for our good to increase our faith and produce good fruit. The one who spends time contemplating God and His truths grows in confidence “that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).
Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet
Holiness
Life is often confusing and the way ahead can feel dark and dangerous. The Psalmist acknowledged this, proclaiming that meditating on the precepts of God gives understanding as to how we are to walk. He says God’s Word is a lamp for our feet, lighting the path ahead (Ps 119:105). It points the way to eternal life with every step we take, and we can often only see far enough to take that next step. This is because we must learn to depend on God for direction, remaining connected to Him as His little child trusting in His Fatherly care. The light of His Word immediately before us increases our faith. And as we walk in this light step by step we overcome sin, grow in virtue, and are drawn upward in holiness. We have fellowship with Him and with our neighbor.
“If we walk in the light, as he also is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:7).
Lectio Divina unites us with Christ Who is the Word and is the Light. In this Light, we are transformed. As the Scripture penetrates our minds and hearts, we desire the things that please Him – virtue, holiness, and His will alone. As trials come to us, we can frame them in light of God’s truths as opportunities to join our sufferings with Christ in His labors and passion. We also see them as crosses that crucify our flesh with its vices and we are thankful. Continuing in Lectio Divina we find consolation in God’s presence and the strength to cast out further into the deep with Christ (Luke 5:4).
Spiritual Combat
Going deeper may call us into spiritual warfare. The Gospels show us how to fight the enemy through prayer, fasting, and a deep understanding of the Truth. When Christ was drawn to the desert by the Spirit, the tempter challenged Him three times to deny the will of His Father and prove His own power. Satan tried to use the Scripture against Jesus. But Jesus, seeing his trickery, responded by quoting Sacred Scripture according to God’s will.
When we read and meditate on God’s Word we grow in knowledge and understanding of the His Truths. Knowing the Truth counters Satan’s lies. Understanding the Truth counters his crafty deceptions. God’s Word equips us for battle.
St. Paul tells us to “put on the whole armor of God that [we] may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11). His list of heavenly battle array concludes with taking up our weapon – the Sword of the Spirit, which is The Word of God (vs 17).
And in Hebrews, he speaks more on the power of this spiritual weapon:
“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
We must know it well to use it well.
A Spiritual Springtime
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16).
The Sacred Scripture is given to us as God’s promise, instruction, protection, and heavenly weapon. If we habitually read and consider it deeply in communion with Christ, the Word will begin to dwell – to live and flourish – in us. By God’s grace, we will be transformed into His image “from glory to glory” (2 Cor 3:18), fruitful in virtue and well-equipped for the spiritual battles that will come. So let us answer this call by entering into the ancient tradition of Lectio Divina as the monks of old. And God willing, as Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed:
“This Practice [of Lectio Divina] will bring to the Church – I am convinced of it – a new spiritual springtime” (Address of His Holiness on Friday, 16 September 2005).
