Vatican II urged Catholics to return to Scripture as a way of “learning the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ.” There are many ways for us to contemplate scripture. Today, we can look at one of these, called in Latin – Lectio Divina, (Holy Reading).
This method of prayer goes back to the early monastic tradition. In those days, there were not enough bibles for everyone and not everyone even knew how to read. So the monks gathered in chapel to hear a member of the community reading from the scripture. In this exercise they were taught and encouraged to listen with their hearts because it was the Word of God that they were hearing.
When a person wants to use Lectio Divina as a prayer form today, the method is very simple. Many people will choose the epistle or the Gospel for the Mass of the day as the scripture they will reflect on, although you could choose any passage (usually ten or fifteen verses) from one of the Gospels or epistles.
As preparation, you can go to a quiet place, centre yourself, and recall that you are about to listen to the Word of God.
Then you read the scripture passage aloud to let yourself hear with your own ears the words. When you are finished reading, pause and recall if some word or phrase stood out or something touched your heart. If so, pause and savor the insight, feeling, or understanding.
Then go back and read the passage again because it will have a fuller meaning. Pause again and note what happened. If you want to dialogue with God or Jesus in response to the word, just follow the prompting of your heart. This kind of reflective listening allows the Holy Spirit to deepen awareness of God’s taking the initiative to speak with us.
Lectio Divina can also be an effective form for group prayer, often using some of the video conferencing tools that have becomes more available during this pandemic. After a passage is read, there can be some extended silence for each person to savor what he or she has heard, particularly noting whether any word or phrase became a special focus of attention.
Sometimes groups invite members, if they so desire, to share out loud the word or phrase that struck them. This is often done without discussion. Then a different person from the group would read the passage again with a pause for silence.
Different emphases might be suggested after each reading: What gift does this passage lead me to ask from the Lord? What does this passage call me to do? The prayer can be concluded with an Our Father.
Whether one prays individually or in a group, Lectio Divina is a flexible and easy way to pray. At its essence, you first listen, note what is given and respond in a way one is directed by the Holy Spirit. Then repeat.
There are also a number of online communities that will televise or live-stream Lectio Divina. The Carmelites in Australia have some wonderful resources available HERE. (You can even listed to their livestream but remember they are in Australian time which is 14 hours ahead of Toronto !)
As Catholics it is important that we encounter scripture more fully in our lives than we may have done in the past. Perhaps our “next normal” will include Lectio Divina as part of our daily or weekly ritual.