Using lectio divina as an inclass contemplative tool. Lectio divina and the practice of teresian prayer book summary. The four movements of lectio divina historically, lectio divina has been a community practice performed by monks in monasteries, and although it can be taken up individually its community element should not be forgotten. When a person wants to use lectio divina as a prayer form today, the method is. We therefore practice it every day, so that we may develop a deep and genuine love for it, and so that we may grow in. An overview of lectio divina lectio divina is an ancient practice of enhancing ones prayer life through the power of gods word. Pdf lectio divina, a contemplative reading exercise first codified in the 12th century. Meditatiochewing the cud using the imagination and memory. It is actually a very simple and very powerful way to immerse oneself in the word of god. Jan 02, 2020 further, the four principles of lectio divina can also be adapted to the four jungian psychological principles of sensing, thinking, intuiting, and feeling. The benedictine monks said there are basically four stages of lectio divina. How would i explain the passages meaning if i were giving a homily. Return to that quiet spot youve been savoring throughout our shared practice these last two weeks here s mine and decide how youd like to move through the four stages of lectio divina.
When we practice lectio divina, we can imagine were actually involved in the events of scripture for example, hearing god s words to the israelites in the desert. Lectio divina is a reading, reflecting, responding and resting in the word of god that helps one grow in relationship with god. It is a term that has been used to refer to a wide variety of methods all with one objective. In meeting god in scripture, jan serves us as a seasoned guide to the classic spiritual practice of lectio divina through these forty wellcrafted and inviting meditations. During the middle ages the act of reading was experienced intensively in the monastic exercise of lectio divina the prayerful scrutiny of passages of scripture, savored in meditation, memorized. Lectio divina reading with god in four movements 1. Lectio divina and centering prayer lectio divina and centering prayer are two distinct prayer forms.
Though limited discussion of lectio divina s pedagogical benefits has taken place in formal and informal literature, there has been no extended, formal discussion of the practice s history. Is there a message in the passage that is not obvious. Lectio divina reading scripture with god in four movements 2. Essentially, he says that lectio divina often leads. During the first step of lectio divina, you are simply introducing the passage to yourself.
First you choose a short passage of scripture and read it very. Today, there are many ways of practicing lectio divina but guigos description remains the foundation. The process of lectio divina a very ancient art, practiced at one time by all christians, is the technique known as lectio divina a slow, contemplative praying of the scriptures which enables the bible, the word of god, to become a means of union with god. The lectio divina process ends with resting quietly in gods arms. Jan 25, 2015 lectio divina reading with god in four movements 1. I appreciate david helms critique of this method in in his little book expositional preaching. The actual practice of lectio divina begins with a time of relaxation, making oneself comfortable and clearing the mind of mundane thoughts and cares. Gregory of nyssa c 330395, and also encouraged by st. This book compares teresas approach to prayer with the ancient tradition of lectio divina. Specifically, i suggest lectio divina offers at least four benefits. Centering prayer is a method of prayer in which we consent to rest in gods presence.
As in the earliest judaic textual practices, he described four levels of meaning and four approaches to the text. In the passage from scripture, god has spoken to you. It is a method of reading and praying on scripture and other classics of spirituality like augustines confessions and the imitation of christ. Lectio divina is derived from a latin word that means holy reading. Over the past few years an old form of bible reading and interpretation has resurfaced and made quite an impact. Guide to lectio divina from life teen please leave this copy here for the next group to read. Lectio divina is a private devotion and while it s useful to do it in common it was originally designed to be a private experience or encounter with the scriptures. The tradition distinguishes between four steps of lectio divina. Preparation silence we prepare by quieting ourselves before the lord and seeking to get in touch with and amplify our hearts desire to hear his voice. Lectio divina sacred reading secular franciscan order. Pdf using lectio divina as an inclass contemplative tool.
She closely examines each of the four movements of lectio divina as well as the rhythm they create when practiced as a process. Experienced bible teacher jan johnson gives us forty scripture meditations, organized topically, giving us the tools we need to practice lectio. Lectio divina what it is, what it is not, and should. It is meant to facilitate an encounter with god through an engaged reading of the scriptures. Pdf lectio divina the sacred art download full pdf book. Lectio divina, environmental ethics, and the literary nonfiction of. Outside of a church, it would be helpful to have a holy. Mar 31, 2003 lectio divina is latin for spiritual reading. Where others have, i think, come up with novel ways of critiquing it, helm heads straight to the bible. I have written in the past about the basic steps of lectio divina in the past. Praying with scripture before the blessed sacrament is powerful. With a renewed emphasis on productive silence, individual cells, and time dedicated to meditation, the. Lectio divina uses different scripture passages at different times and although a passage may be repeated a few.
Guiding lectio divina it would be most helpful for you to. Lectio divina may sound like a very daunting thing because it s latin, but fear not. Cardinal tagle leads lectio divina at st patricks cathedral melbourne duration. This book compares teresa s approach to prayer with the ancient tradition of lectio divina. Though limited discussion of lectio divinas pedagogical benefits has taken place in formal and informal literature, there has been no extended, formal discussion of the practices history. Guide to lectio divina from life teen saint matthew. The early monks understood that the fruitfulness of a monks prayer depends upon the simplicity, reverence, and openness.
The practice naturally flows from one part to the next, so you could simply move on to the next prompt when youre ready or you could use a gentle. The term itself means divine reading of the sacred scriptures. Lectio divina may sound like a very daunting thing because its latin, but fear not. These are the four moments of lectio divina instead of four stages and at the center the dot represents the holy spirit. Tx0032092handoutchapter 36the four rs of praying with. Lectio divina is a dynamic, lifeoriented approach to reading holy scriptures encouraged by both pope john paul ii and pope benedict xvi. Benedict, give the third stage as resting in god and the fourth stage as transformed ethical. Lectio divina sacred reading the 4 rs lectio divina sacred reading the 4 rs 1 read lectio. We therefore practice it every day, so that we may develop a deep and genuine love for it, and so that we may grow in the surpassing knowledge of christ. Drawing on her own experience as a monk in the world, christine valters paintner introduces the foundations for a practice of lectio divina. Leading sheep to a new level of consciousness by wolf tracks blog.
Pdf lectio divina and the practice of teresian prayer. The simple prayer practice of lectio divina takes us through four movements, as we are drawn closer to. Lectio divina sacred reading the 4 rs 1 read lectio. Thus, though analytic philosophers may be moved to include. May 21, 2014 over the past few years an old form of bible reading and interpretation has resurfaced and made quite an impact. Return to that quiet spot youve been savoring throughout our shared practice these last two weeks heres mine and decide how youd like to move through the four stages of lectio divina. Latin for reading, meditation, praying and contemplating.
The basic lectio divina steps the religion teacher. When we practice lectio divina, we can imagine were actually involved in the events of scripture for example, hearing gods words to the israelites in the desert. Step by step through lectio divina divine reading jesus said. Contemplative awakening and awareness offers a unique prayer resource that provides a thorough grounding in the different moments of the lectio experience. Ask yourself which word, which phrase, which passage speaks to you, challenges you, tugs at you this day. Elisha prays for his servants eyes to be opened to see the spiritual kingdom of god. For some time now i have owned the title, too deep for words. Lectio divina and liturgy of hours the school of mary. Doing it together is a liturgy of lectio, because you are deliberately structuring the different levels of lectio, which is a good way to communicate it, and then sometimes. This was a later development that was an attempt to systematize the practices of monks so that it could be faithfully transmitted across generations.
Lectio divina lesson planning the religion teacher. David finds strength in the lord when his men turn on him at ziklag. In lectio divina, the chosen spiritual text is read four times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply about it and respond thoughtfully. Thank the lord for the way he has spoken to you through his word.
Download pdf lectio divina the sacred art book full free. Scripture passages for lectio divina sample our pdf handouts for free. The spiritual practice of lectio divina worship script. Generally speaking, the lectio divina practiced within the monastic tradition was more conceptual in its expressions. The holy spirit is the dynamic source of lectio divina so that means that the holy spirit is at work in all directions. The awesome power of the fivestep lectio divina method to. Once you have gained a greater understanding of the passage, or if you.
According to pope benedict xvi in the postsynodal apostolic exhortation, verbum domini nos. I have used it for prayer, and i have used it for lectio. Lectio divina the sacred art available for download and read online in other formats. Lectio divina and liturgy of hours what place should prayer as in the liturgy of hours limited because of work have in relation to lectio divina. Reading lectioslowly begin reading a biblical passage as if it were a long awaited love letter addressed to you. Teresa of jesus is the church s great teacher of prayer, and lectio divina, the ancient christian approach to praying over the scriptures, is among the church s most venerable prayer methods. Further, the four principles of lectio divina can also be adapted to the four jungian psychological principles of sensing, thinking, intuiting, and feeling. The four movements of lectio divina we read lectio under the eye of god meditatio until the heart is touched oratio and leaps to flame. The hallmark use i have put the book to is its selections of scripture readings for prayer. Lectio divina the center for contemplative mind in society. Sunday gospel readings with lectio divina bible society. Mar 18, 2020 in lectio divina, the chosen spiritual text is read four times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply about it and respond thoughtfully. Pdf lectio divina the sacred art download full pdf. Teresa of jesus is the churchs great teacher of prayer, and lectio divina, the ancient christian approach to praying over the scriptures, is among the churchs most venerable prayer methods.
More than an idea book, this is an experience book. It is an ancient method of slowly reading the scriptures in a repetitive fashion in order to encounter the presence of god. Lectio divina, a contemplative reading exercise first codified in the 12th century, offers a number of benefits when adapted for use in a secular classroom. Try to slow your thoughts and focus on the presence of god. Centering prayer and lectio divina contemplative outreach. Benedict of nursia c 480547, the founder of the benedictine order. On the one hand, for me but not for many other authorstheologians lectio divina is part of the mass, or better said. It is a method of reading and praying on scripture and other classics of spirituality like augustines confessions and. Lectio divina is an ancient prayer method that is most literally known as divine reading. It gives us the time to listen attentively to the word, to be sensitive to its action on our hearts, and to reflect on what is being asked of us in our daily lives. The christian form of lectio divina was first introduced by st. The medieval experience of reading 2011, mar y keators lectio divina as conte mplative pedagogy.
In the 12th century, a carthusian monk named guigo, formalized four stages to the practice of lectio divina. Approach it reverentially and expectantly, in a way that savors each word and phrase. Lectio divina is a private devotion and while its useful to do it in common it was originally designed to be a private experience or encounter with the scriptures. The four rs of praying with scripture saint marys press. Lectio, or reading, is the first step in the prayer process. Lighting a candle is a way of focusing attention on the lords presence read the scripture. Lectio divina is a practice of scripture reading that treats the bible not only as a text to be examined, but also as the living word of god spoken anew to us.
637 197 1134 367 444 1163 1362 524 99 743 1344 1318 938 1581 1602 1609 1107 937 149 1553 568 1253 657 1647 261 838 712 740 284 1114 240 1621 525 1315 57 1181 542 1288 1277 771