Bible Moments

  

Printable Word Document: Lectio Divina 

Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book titled “The Monk’s Ladder” (Scala Claustralium) where he described a particular method to integrate Scripture with prayer and spiritual growth. Ever since, the Church has constantly encouraged this practice and countless generations have benefited from this method of reading the Scripture.

In September 2005, Pope Benedict XVI stated:

“I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church – I am convinced of it – a new spiritual springtime.”

Open the Bible

Find a quite place to sit down, relax and open your bible for a few moments. When the noise from your mind has settled, open your bible, or simply use the text of this page. But before you start reading, let the Author of the text help you to open the hidden meanings of the text for you. Only the Holy Spirit can help us understand what is written in the Scripture.

Invocation (Epiklesis)

“Holy Spirit, come to us,
Kindle in us the fire of your love.
Holy Spirit, come to us,
Holy Spirit, come to us.”

The words of the Word (Lectio)

Reading, Lesson, is busily looking on Holy Scripture with all one’s will and wit.

Guigo II

Read attentively, slowly and several times, even, if possible using different translations or in different languages. Ask yourself what is the meaning of those words, sentences and paragraphs. Try to understand what the human author wanted to convey to his audience before you try to understand what the divine Author is telling you. Take in to account the context of the text, the audience for whom it was written, who wrote it and what kind of literary genre he used. The leading question is “What is the meaning of these words?”

The Word in the words (Meditatio)

Meditation is a studious insearching with the mind to know what was before concealed through desiring proper skill.

Guigo II

The second step is to move from the human author to the important point, what is God telling me today with these words? The ancient writers speak of ruminatio, to ruminate, to go over the fundamental meanings and extract from them all the nutrients we need for our spiritual growth. Casian said that we have understood the text when it has become personal experience in us. We do this by asking questions like, where am I in this text? To which character do I compare myself? Is this text being fulfilled today in my life? When, where, how?

The goodness of the Word (Oratio)

Prayer is a devout desiring of the heart to get what is good and avoid what is evil.

Guigo II

From the richness of the Scripture we have discovered how many good things from God we need. Therefore we lift our minds to him with the confidence of a child, knowing that God will give us what we need. What follows are just an example. Each one of us needs differently and asks differently.

The taste of goodness (Contemplatio)

Contemplation is the lifting up of the heart to God tasting somewhat of the heavenly sweetness and savour.

Guigo II

Spend a few minutes in silence looking at God as the provider of our needs, the security in the face of our threats and the guide and comfort in our daily activities.

The sharing (Collatio)

At this point, if we are doing the Bible Study with a group, people may want to share how they have benefited from today’s Word, prayer and contemplation. Listening to each other helps us to rejoice in the other’s benefit and enrich ourselves with other’s contributions. Sharings should be motivated not by the need to speak ourselves, or the wish to share about our world, but by the joy of having discovered something good and beautiful in today’s word.

Conclusion

 A concluding prayer of thanksgiving may follow.