Once you have gained a greater understanding of the passage, or if you. Thus, though analytic philosophers may be moved to include. These are the four moments of lectio divina instead of four stages and at the center the dot represents the holy spirit. Drawing on her own experience as a monk in the world, christine valters paintner introduces the foundations for a practice of lectio divina.
Lectio, or reading, is the first step in the prayer process. Lectio divina and the practice of teresian prayer book summary. With a renewed emphasis on productive silence, individual cells, and time dedicated to meditation, the. Centering prayer and lectio divina contemplative outreach. 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. Scripture passages for lectio divina sample our pdf handouts for free. The 4 r s lectio divina sacred reading the 4 r s 1 read lectio. This book compares teresa s approach to prayer with the ancient tradition of lectio divina. 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, environmental ethics, and the literary nonfiction of. 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. Meditatiochewing the cud using the imagination and memory.
Lectio divina is an ancient prayer method that is most literally known as divine reading. Contemplative awakening and awareness offers a unique prayer resource that provides a thorough grounding in the different moments of the lectio experience. Generally speaking, the lectio divina practiced within the monastic tradition was more conceptual in its expressions. Lectio divina sacred reading the 4 rs lectio divina sacred reading the 4 rs 1 read lectio. In the passage from scripture, god has spoken to you. Lectio divina may sound like a very daunting thing because it s latin, but fear not. David finds strength in the lord when his men turn on him at ziklag. The christian form of lectio divina was first introduced by st. Essentially, he says that lectio divina often leads. It is a term that has been used to refer to a wide variety of methods all with one objective. 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. As in the earliest judaic textual practices, he described four levels of meaning and four approaches to the text. Guide to lectio divina from life teen saint matthew.
The benedictine monks said there are basically four stages of lectio divina. Lectio divina is derived from a latin word that means holy reading. How would i explain the passages meaning if i were giving a homily. Lectio divina the sacred art available for download and read online in other formats.
For some time now i have owned the title, too deep for words. It is meant to facilitate an encounter with god through an engaged reading of the scriptures. When a person wants to use lectio divina as a prayer form today, the method is. Elisha prays for his servants eyes to be opened to see the spiritual kingdom of god. Experienced bible teacher jan johnson gives us forty scripture meditations, organized topically, giving us the tools we need to practice lectio. I have used it for prayer, and i have used it for lectio. First you choose a short passage of scripture and read it very. Sunday gospel readings with lectio divina bible society. May 21, 2014 over the past few years an old form of bible reading and interpretation has resurfaced and made quite an impact.
It is a method of reading and praying on scripture and other classics of spirituality like augustines confessions and. 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. 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. 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. Thank the lord for the way he has spoken to you through his word. The simple prayer practice of lectio divina takes us through four movements, as we are drawn closer to. She closely examines each of the four movements of lectio divina as well as the rhythm they create when practiced as a process. 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. Pdf lectio divina the sacred art download full pdf book. Lectio divina what it is, what it is not, and should. Specifically, i suggest lectio divina offers at least four benefits. Guiding lectio divina it would be most helpful for you to.
Latin for reading, meditation, praying and contemplating. 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. During the first step of lectio divina, you are simply introducing the passage to yourself. Lectio divina and liturgy of hours the school of mary. Is there a message in the passage that is not obvious. The term itself means divine reading of the sacred scriptures. The four rs of praying with scripture saint marys press. Guiding lectio divina it would be most helpful for you to read this outline thoroughly before leading your group reflection. Lectio divina reading scripture with god in four movements 2. Lectio divina may sound like a very daunting thing because its latin, but fear not. The tradition distinguishes between four steps of lectio divina. 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.
Lighting a candle is a way of focusing attention on the lords presence read the scripture. Over the past few years an old form of bible reading and interpretation has resurfaced and made quite an impact. Jan 25, 2015 lectio divina reading with god in four movements 1. 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. Lectio divina is a reading, reflecting, responding and resting in the word of god that helps one grow in relationship with god. 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. It is an ancient method of slowly reading the scriptures in a repetitive fashion in order to encounter the presence of god. 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 the imitation of christ. In lectio divina, the chosen spiritual text is read four times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply about it and respond thoughtfully. This book compares teresas approach to prayer with the ancient tradition of lectio divina. Approach it reverentially and expectantly, in a way that savors each word and phrase.
Benedict of nursia c 480547, the founder of the benedictine order. 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. Tx0032092handoutchapter 36the four rs of praying with. The awesome power of the fivestep lectio divina method to. Today, there are many ways of practicing lectio divina but guigos description remains the foundation. Using lectio divina as an inclass contemplative tool. Pdf lectio divina and the practice of teresian prayer. Leading sheep to a new level of consciousness by wolf tracks blog.
Benedict, give the third stage as resting in god and the fourth stage as transformed ethical. Lectio divina sacred reading the 4 rs 1 read lectio. An overview of lectio divina lectio divina is an ancient practice of enhancing ones prayer life through the power of gods word. 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 early monks understood that the fruitfulness of a monks prayer depends upon the simplicity, reverence, and openness. Cardinal tagle leads lectio divina at st patricks cathedral melbourne duration. Lectio divina reading with god in four movements 1. 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. 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. 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. Lectio divina lesson planning the religion teacher. It s a way of developing a closer relationship with god by reflecting prayerfully on his words. Ask yourself which word, which phrase, which passage speaks to you, challenges you, tugs at you this day. The holy spirit is the dynamic source of lectio divina so that means that the holy spirit is at work in all directions.
Step by step through lectio divina divine reading jesus said. Pdf using lectio divina as an inclass contemplative tool. I have written in the past about the basic steps of lectio divina in the past. The text version of this video can be read, copied, and shared below. Mar 31, 2003 lectio divina is latin for spiritual reading. The lectio divina process ends with resting quietly in gods arms. It is actually a very simple and very powerful way to immerse oneself in the word of god. The practice naturally flows from one part to the next. I appreciate david helms critique of this method in in his little book expositional preaching. 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.
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. Centering prayer is a method of prayer in which we consent to rest in gods presence. Where others have, i think, come up with novel ways of critiquing it, helm heads straight to the bible. More than an idea book, this is an experience book. 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. The basic lectio divina steps the religion teacher.
Gregory of nyssa c 330395, and also encouraged by st. Praying with scripture before the blessed sacrament is powerful. This was a later development that was an attempt to systematize the practices of monks so that it could be faithfully transmitted across generations. The medieval experience of reading 2011, mar y keators lectio divina as conte mplative pedagogy. Reading lectioslowly begin reading a biblical passage as if it were a long awaited love letter addressed to you. 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. Lectio divina is a dynamic, lifeoriented approach to reading holy scriptures encouraged by both pope john paul ii and pope benedict xvi. Lectio divina it was with the renewal of religious life at the second vatican council that lectio divina reclaimed its rightful place in monastic life.
Lectio divina sacred reading secular franciscan order. Further, the four principles of lectio divina can also be adapted to the four jungian psychological principles of sensing, thinking, intuiting, and feeling. 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. According to pope benedict xvi in the postsynodal apostolic exhortation, verbum domini nos. Lectio divina and centering prayer lectio divina and centering prayer are two distinct prayer forms. 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. Lectio divina uses different scripture passages at different times and although a passage may be repeated a few. In the 12th century, a carthusian monk named guigo, formalized four stages to the practice of lectio divina. Pdf lectio divina, a contemplative reading exercise first codified in the 12th century. The spiritual practice of lectio divina worship script. 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. 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. 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. Pdf lectio divina the sacred art download full pdf.
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