Lectio Divina

“God calls man first. Man may forget his Creator or hide far from his face; he may run after idols or accuse the deity of having abandoned him; yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer. In prayer, the faithful God’s initiative of love always comes first; our own first step is always a response. As God gradually reveals himself and reveals man to himself, prayer appears as a reciprocal call, a covenant drama. Through words and actions, this drama engages the heart. It unfolds through the whole history of salvation.” - Catechism of the Catholic Church, §2567

“The written word is the means by which God’s living Word reaches me, the divine act by which he addresses me, questions my whole existence and saves me. I must grasp the full dramatic value of the Word as a Person who reveals himself to my openness, challenging me to commit myself to him.” - Archbishop Mariano Magrassi Praying the Bible

A Method of Practicing Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is an ancient form of Christian prayer that involves a close and prayerful reading of Sacred Scripture. It is a way of encountering the Lord through the words of the Bible, leading to a powerful, enduring sense of the Lord’s presence in one’s daily life. Selecting a Scripture passage: your director may suggest a passage to pray with, or you may select a passage from the Mass readings. Some people pray through an entire Gospel or one of the other books of the Bible, taking short sections one at a time. Start by putting yourself in the presence of God and by saying a prayer to the Holy Spirit to help you to open your heart to whatever the Lord wishes to offer you in the Scripture passage. Now you are ready to enter into Lectio Divina.

First, read the passage (lectio) more than once— three times is recommended—very slowly, pausing at words that touch you in some way and letting them linger in your mind. Sometimes reading the passage out loud can help. Second, meditate on the passage (meditatio). Ask questions of the text. Imagine yourself in the story or as one of the characters (if the passage lends itself to the imagination). Be aware of words or phrases that appear meaningful or mysterious. Find connections with events in one’s own life or with other parts of Scripture. Third, pray over the passage (oratio). Let the previous two steps lead you to compose a prayer to the Lord, to speak to Him about the Scripture passage and your life. You may be moved to gratitude, adoration, petition, supplication, contrition, etc. Speak to the Lord about what is going on in your life as it connects to the passage. Fourth, let the Holy Spirit work (contemplatio). At this point, God takes over and responds. We must be receptive to all the different ways the Lord speaks to us. Sit in quiet gratitude for His loving Presence in your life. End with simple words of thanksgiving.

Some suggested Scripture Passages for your Retreat

Jeremiah 29:11-14 I know the plans I have for you Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd Psalm 139 You know me to the core Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus asleep in the boat Matthew 14:22-33 Peter walks on water Mark 10:46-52 Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus John 2:1-11 The wedding feast of Cana Luke 5:1-11 The catch of fish and Peter’s call Matthew 14:13-21 The feeding of the 5000 Luke 9:23-26 Take up your cross daily Matthew 8:1-4 Jesus heals the leper Luke 17:11-19 The ten lepers John 4:5-42 The woman at the well Luke 18:8-14 The tax collector and the Pharisee Romans 8:18-27 The Spirit groans on our behalf Romans 8:31-39 What will separate us from God’s love? John 20:19-29 Thomas at the Resurrection Matthew 6:2-34 Do not worry about your life Isaiah 43:1-7 You are precious to me Luke 15:11-32 The prodigal son John 21 Peter’s “Yes”

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.

john 15:1-9

Let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Rom 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts (Ps 94:8). And again: You that have ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches (Rev 2:7). And what does he say? Come and listen to me, sons; I will teach you the fear of the Lord (Ps 33:12). Run while you have the light of life, that the darkness of death may not overtake you (John 12: 35).

the rule of st. benedict prologue: 8-14

Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love. Never swerving from his instructions, then, but faithfully observing his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom. Amen.

the rule of st. benedict prologue: 45-50

St. Benedict’s Abbey

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