Lectio Divina
"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for
teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be
competent, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16
"God is the author of Sacred Scripture. 'The divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented in the text of Sacred Scripture, . . . . written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author . . . . God inspired the human authors of the sacred books. The inspired books teach the truth . . . . we must acknowledge that the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 105–107, citing Dei Verbum 11.
How often do you read and reflect on Scripture? The first element of this type of prayer is reading (lectio): you take a short passage from the Bible, preferably a Gospel passage and read it carefully, perhaps three or more times. Let it really soak-in.
Each week the U.S. Bishops publish a simple two-page form, in either English or Spanish, to help guide you through the four movements in praying the Lectio Divina using Sunday's Gospel reading. You can access this document from Catholic.Bible and select the "Lectio Divina" tab for either the English or Spanish version. This is a great way to help you spiritually prepare yourself for the upcoming weekend Mass. VIDEOS OTHER RESOURCES
"Lectio Divina - English and Spanish" (USCCB - Catholic.Bible)
Lectio Divina ("Divine Reading"), is an ancient prayer practice whose beginnings began with Saint Gregory of Nyssa (c. 330–395) and then Saint Benedict (c. 480-597), who formalized the practice in monasteries. It was later structured into four primary movements by Guido II in the twelfth century.
Basically, Lectio Divina is a spiritual reading, meditation, and prayer on Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels. This practice engages you in the power of the Word of God to speak to your mind, heart, and the depth of your innermost being, to transform you, to guide you to discern God’s will for you, and calling you to respond in love through thought, word, and action. Like other prayer practices, you are called to dedicate some quiet time to engage fruitfully in this practice.
There are four primary movements or elements of this practice that are summarized as follows:
The second element is meditation (meditatio). By using your imagination enter into the Biblical scene in order to "see" the setting, the people, and the unfolding action. It is through this meditation that you encounter the text and discover its meaning for your life.
The next element is prayer (oratio) or your personal response to the text: asking for graces, offering praise or thanksgiving, seeking healing or forgiveness. In this prayerful engagement with the text, you open yourself up to the possibility of contemplation.
Contemplation (contemplatio) is a gaze turned toward Christ and the things of God. By God's action of grace, you may be raised above meditation to a state of seeing or experiencing the text as mystery and reality. In contemplation, you come into an experiential contact with the One behind and beyond the text.” (USCCB, “What is Lectio Divina?)
Through this and other modes of prayer you are called by God’s grace to continually transform your heart, mind, soul, and your entire being to grow in a mutually loving relationship with God. As a disciple of Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit, you are called to become an active agent in living, ministering to others, proclaiming, and witnessing to the good news of God’s reign of love, peace, justice, joy, forgiveness, mercy, healing, reconciliation, and salvation in your spheres of influence.
"What is Lectio Divina? (Fr. James Martin)
"Practice of Lectio Divina" (Abbot Austin Murphy, O.S.B.)
"Learn Lectio Divina" (Paulist Evangelization Ministries)
"Lectio Divina - A Step-by-Step Guide" (Fr. Dennis Mancuso)
"What is Lectio Divina?" (Fr. Josh Johnson)
"Becky Eldredge Explains Lectio Divina"
"How to Pray Lectio Divina - Part 1" (Fr. Mark Toups)
"How to Pray Lectio Divina - Part 2" (Fr. Mark Toups)
"How to Pray Lectio Divina - Part 3" (Fr. Mark Toups)
"How to Pray Lectio Divina - Part 4" (Fr. Mark Toups)
"Lectio Divina Example"
"Lectio Divina - How to Pray Through the Bible" (American Bible Society)
"Lectio Divina" (Fr. Cassian Folsom OSB)
"Lectio Divina" (Fr. Jacques Philippe)
"Lectio Divina" (Maxwell Johnson, Ph.D.)
"Lectio Divina" (Contemplative Outreach)
"Praying with Scripture" (Ignatian Spirituality)
"Methods of Praying with Scripture (Fr. Felix Just, SJ, Ph.D.)
"Lectio Divina, a Beginner's Guide" (Busted Halo)
"Ever Ancient, Ever New: The Art of Lectio Divina (USCCB)
"Four Approaches to the Practice of Lectio Divina" (Fr. Thomas Keating)
"How to Practice Lectio Divina"
"Lectio Divina - Guides" (Bible Society)
"The Basic Steps of Lectio Divina" (The Religious Teacher)
"Lectio Divina" (Bible Gateway)
Links to other Articles, Videos, Music, practices, and Resources for Lent and Easter