For this week’s lesson, I will be giving a guided experience in a practice called Lectio Divina, or “Divine Reading.”
This is a very old practice that feels new to many people today. Especially for those of us with academic leanings in our Christian learning, our tendency might be to listen to Scripture with our ears attached primarily to our brains. When we do this, we are thinking about background, context, linguistic studies, author biography, etc. These are all good and important things, and are useful for some particular ways of reading Scripture.
Lectio Divina is a bit different in that this practice invites us to listen also with an ear attached to our hearts. What if this text were simply God talking, and I were simply God’s child who is present and listening?
If this passage had a word or a thought especially for me, what might I hear as I listen?
As with most spiritual practices, as long as you are using them as a way to seek God sincerely, I am a fan of modifying them to fit your needs. The model I prefer to use of Lectio Divina may not even strictly be the original format, but it’s been a good format for the groups with which I’ve worked. Perhaps you find further points of modification which help you. Do what works for you!
The Traditional Approach
Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four phases. I think if you are doing it as an individual, these are a pretty good fit. This is how it has generally been practiced:
- Lectio. Reading. What does the word say?
- Meditatio. Meditation. What specific word or phrase captures your attention?
- Oratio. Speaking. What would your spoken response to this word be?
- Contemplatio. Contemplation. Sitting with your reflections on the word and how it connects to your life.
Our Process
The process toward which I lean works especially well in groups, I believe. I enjoy hearing from various people what word has been impactful for them because I think collectively we deepen each others’ experience with the text. I have recorded this exercise as a podcast to which you can listen. Below are the steps that I will follow in guiding listeners through Psalm 138. Please note: I believe it is best that you first listen to the passage without reading along. You should be patient, and focus on hearing the text well. Only after going through the experience would I recommend you look through the text for further analysis.
- At the directives of the facilitator, we will begin with silent prayer, making space within ourselves to hear and receive the word of God.
- First reading. The facilitator will read the passage of Scripture for the first time. Those listening will see if a word or phrase somehow speaks to them or grabs their attention.
- Silence. We will return to silence for a couple of minutes, making space to receive the word.
- Second reading. The facilitator will read the passage a second time, inviting participants to listen again for a word or phrase that somehow grabs or speaks to them.
- Sharing a word, if desired. The participants are invited, if they desire, to speak the word or phrase they’ve been hearing without further explanation. Just the word or phrase.
- Silence. The group returns to silence, contemplating their own word, as well as what others have shared.
- Third reading. The facilitator will read the passage for the third and final time, allowing participants one final hearing upon which to meditate.
- Silence. Participants will meditate further on the passage, preparing to share with the group.
- Discussion. We will take time as a group to talk about what we were hearing and how it spoke to us.
Though any passage of Scripture can work for this process, it seems that Psalms are generally a good fit, as are direct teachings of Jesus, if you are looking for a place to begin.
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