Article Tools
- Text Size
- Add a comment (3)
- Print-Friendly
- Email this article
One day when I was still very new to the religious life, I asked Sr. Ida for an explanation of lectio divina, or "sacred reading" of Scripture. Perhaps because of its Latin name, people often have the impression that this ancient prayer form involves something complicated and scholarly.
Sr. Ida was a very holy woman. She had come to our Benedictine community from her native Germany and had worked in domestic service all her life. I have never forgotten the answer she gave me in her charming German accent: “Vell, I don’t exactly know what dis lectio is. I just read until I get an idea and den I tink about it.” To this day, that remains my best definition of lectio divina: Just read the Scripture passage until you get an idea, and then think about it.
But lectio is not a means to stirring up lofty thoughts. Its great gift is the awareness that Scripture is alive and active—a place where we can encounter God every day for the rest of our lives.
Getting to Work. One of the earliest teachings regarding lectio divina comes…
The full article is available to subscribers only
Access all articles, daily meditations and readings, as well as special resources, by becoming a subscriber. View subscription options.
Special Offer: Two week free web-only trial subscription. Sign up now.
Existing Print & Web-Only Subscribers: Login for full access.
I have been reading the bible for over 15 years. Before reading, I usually say a prayer so I will hear God talking to me. After that, I meditate and then I prayer and thanking him for his word or for speaking to me. I always give him thanks for giving me this initiative of talking to him everyday. But I feel that I still need more. I know, God will do his work in me at the right time. Pray for me, thanks.
the nature of man is to precipitate,the nature of God is to anticipate.
god gives us small initiatives to begin the journey.
Interesting article on Lectio Divina. I’ve always wanted to try this form of prayer. Thank you for this explanation.