Every Thursday at 12:30pm on Zoom we will look at a new passage with this contemplative practice.

Lectio divina is a contemplative practice with its Christian roots in the Benedictine tradition. It combines slow, conscious reading of a biblical or sacred text with contemplation and silent prayer. It is meant to promote communication with God and a deeper knowledge of Christ, in our lives today.

During Lectio Divina we put aside thoughts of studying the text. This is not the time to consider the historical or theological meanings of what we are reading. We read with a willingness to enter into text in a felt sense. The purpose of this practice is to hear, in silence, the word of God, in this moment. What, through this reading, is God saying to me right now? What do I hear that helps me know what it means to walk the Christ path today?

Lectio Divina has traditionally been a communal practice; that is, one shared when in a group but it can be done when alone.

• READ (LECTIO) Read a small section of Scripture, or sacred text, slowly and deliberately. Read the text, aloud at least twice with a slightly different emphasis each time. In the traditional Benedictine manner a passage is read four times.
• MEDITATE (MEDITATIO) Pay attention, ponder, allow words to penetrate your awareness through use of faculties such as imagination, senses, visualization, and feelings. Remain open to receiving a meaning rather than assigning one. What is the inner meaning of the text? What is the Holy Spirit saying to me right now?
• PRAY (ORATIO) Respond to text using language and the received sense of text to enter into silent prayer; pray in response to stirring that arises out of interaction with the text. In a group individuals may say aloud, out into the group, one or two words that have come to mind. It doesn’t matter if two or more people speak at once.
• CONTEMPLATE (CONTEMPLATIO) Rest in silence, the presence of God, and allow what you have heard and felt to be absorbed into your being. Let go of reasoning, thinking, feeling. This is the time to rest in love and grace. Silence is the ground in which this prayer takes root.