This Holy Week, delve deeper into the heart of the passion story. Lectio Divina, a practice of prayerful reading, can guide you towards a powerful encounter with God's love and sacrifice. This ancient practice, literally meaning "divine reading," is all about going deeper with scripture (or any other meaningful text) by reading it slowly and attentively. It's like having a conversation with God.
Lectio divina isn't about checking a box or getting the "right" answer. It's about opening yourself up to a deeper connection with something bigger than yourself. Here's the beauty of it: it's super simple!
Here's a quick rundown of how it works:
Find a quiet space: Silence those pesky distractions (phones on silent, please!) and create a calm environment.
Choose your text: A psalm or a few verses of scripture are a great place to start, but you can also use a poem, quote, or anything that speaks to you.
Lectio (Read): Read the passage slowly, savoring each word. Pay attention to what jumps out at you.
Meditatio (Meditate): Sit with that word or phrase. What emotions does it evoke? How does it connect to your life?
Oratio (Pray): Talk to God about what's coming up. It can be a prayer of gratitude, a question, or simply listening.
Contemplatio (Contemplate): Rest in silence and allow God's presence to wash over you.
Rather than rushing through and thinking too much, lectio divina invites you to savor each phrase, mull it over, and allow space for the words to work on you in a deeper way. It's like slowly sipping a fine wine instead of chugging it.
The practice takes patience and an open heart, but can bear profound fruit. By taking this unhurried, receptive posture, we may find ourselves becoming more aware of God's voice speaking through the text. Insights, realizations and prayers can bubble up from within.
Give it a try!
Want to learn more?
A guided daily lectio divina practice: https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/ Be sure to click on "open guide" on the top if you want additional guidance.