10 What Is Lectio Divina and How to Use This Book Reading – Meditation – Prayer – Contemplation Lectio divina or “divine reading” is a process of engaging with Christ, the Word of God. Through this sacred exercise, we enter into a closer relationship with the very Word himself, who communicates the love of the Father to us through the Holy Spirit. Lectio divina has four steps in which we first hear what God has said (reading). We then take it in and reflect on it (meditation). From this our hearts are lifted up (prayer). Finally, after speaking to the Lord in prayer, we rest and listen for his message to us (contemplation). This is the process of lectio divina. It is a conversation with God, grounded in God’s own self-revelation to us. This helps us speak to God with a focus on what he has already told us about his relationship with humanity, his plans and desires for us, his promises, his admonitions, and his guidance on how we can live, so as to find true life in abundance in Christ. Here is a brief description of each of the four steps: Reading (Lectio) Read the passage slowly and allow it to sink in. If there is a passage that is particularly striking, and that you want to keep with you, consider committing it to memory, or writing it down to keep with you, so that you can re-read it throughout the day, and let it enter deeper into your spirit. “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) “The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzMzNzY=