My first reading is an opportunity to get to know the Scripture passage. I pray a prayer of invitation, saying something like, “God, let me hear from you,” and spend a few moments sitting quietly so my mind is open to hearing from God. To tune in, I like to light a candle, not because it’s necessary, but because the flame and fragrance serve as gentle reminders when collecting my thoughts and calming my mind. I’d suggest 30 minutes to read, reflect, and respond to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in Lectio Divina. Like learning an instrument, once I’ve learned the basics, I’ll be able to improvise! Here’s how to get started: Prepare As a beginner, I’ve found it helpful to follow the stages in order. Keating describes the four stages of Lectio Divina as compass points around a circle, with the Holy Spirit moving seamlessly between them. It’s an intensely personal experience.įr. When we practice Lectio Divina, we can imagine we’re actually involved in the events of Scripture - for example, hearing God’s words to the Israelites in the desert. In Lectio Divina, the chosen spiritual text is read four times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply about it and respond thoughtfully. It’s a way of developing a closer relationship with God by reflecting prayerfully on His words. Benedict of Nursia (c 480-547), the founder of the Benedictine order. Gregory of Nyssa (c 330- 395), and also encouraged by St. The Christian form of Lectio Divina was first introduced by St. Haggadah means “telling” and along with being a physical text, the word captures the practice of telling and retelling a story. It draws on the way Jews read the Haggadah, a text read during Passover that retells the Exodus story. Lectio Divina (literally divine reading ) is a way of becoming immersed in the Scriptures very personally. Thomas Keating’s “Open Mind, Open Heart” and learned about the prayer practice of Lectio Divina. That all changed when I read Trappist Monk Fr. I’ve read stacks of books about God and the Christian life, but I only occasionally felt closer to Him. I’ve always wanted to be a “good” Christian.
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