Lecto Divina
Lectio Divina, literally meaning "divine reading," is an ancient practice of praying the scriptures. During Lectio Divina, you are invited to listen to the text of the Bible with the "ear of the heart." This traditional Christian practice of prayer and scripture reading invites you into the presence of God through reading, listening, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. Lection Divina is a slow, deliberate type of prayer where God teaches us to seek him in silence and listen for his voice.
Lectio Divina has been likened to "Feasting on the Word." The four parts are first taking a bite (Lectio), then chewing on it (Meditatio). Next is the opportunity to savor the essence of it (Oratio). Finally, the Word is digested and made a part of the body (Contemplatio)
Lectio
First, choose a section of scripture that you would like to read and pray. How you choose the scripture is up to you: you can choose randomly, use a guide. Your goal is not for how much scripture you will read – the invitation is to experience the presence of God and to listen for his voice. Read a passage. Slowly. Savor each word. As you read, pay attention to any word, phrase, or idea that catches your attention. Read the passage several times. Pause between the readings and not the words, phrases, or ideas that catch your attention.
Meditatio
Second, find a comfortable, quiet place and prepare to hear from God. You don’t have to sit in some kind of lotus-crossed-leg position; just get comfortable. It is time to benefit from the Holy Spirit’s ministry of illumination, i.e. the work of the Holy Spirit that imparts spiritual understanding of the sacred text.
Begin to meditate on the word, phrase, or idea that caught your attention. Repeat it over and over again. Don’t be afraid of tangential thoughts, memories, or ideas; in fact, you should pay attention to the thoughts, memories, and hopes that come to mind during meditation. As you concentrate on the scriptural phrase or idea, offer the things that come into your mind back to God.
Oratio
Third, ask God to for the grace to be changed by what you have read, to come more fully into being what God calls you to be. Pray in dialogue with God. Speak to God, asking for grace. Then listen deeply to loving conversation with the One who has invited you into a loving embrace. Offer God those parts of yourself that you have not previously believed God wants. Allow the word that you have taken in and on which you pondered to touch and changey our deepest self. God invites you to hold up your most difficult and pain-filled experiences . Then, to gently recite over them the healing word or phrase God has given you in our lectio and meditatio. In the “oratio,” allow yourself to be touched and changed by the Living and Present Word of God.
Contemplatio
This moment is characterized by a simple, loving focus on God. In other words, it is a beautiful, wordless contemplation of God, a joyful rest in His presence. Give thanks and rejoice in gratitude.
