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Praying with Scripture:
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Watch my YouTube video of Lectio Divina with Psalm 23 (above)
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Lectio Divina, a Latin expressions which means "divine reading."
Thus says the Lord:
Stand at the crossroads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way lies; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls. ~Jeremiah 6:16
Lectio Divina is an ancient, contemplative way to encounter scripture in prayerful presence. In order to digest the text, choose a passage less than 10 verses. You could start with only one verse ... such as Jeremiah 6:16! There are 4 movements ...
1) Lectio: reading.
Slowly read the passage and immerse yourself in the beauty of the text. There may be a word, phrase or image that bubbles up into your consciousness, the words may "shimmer," calling your attention.
2) Meditatio: meditation.
Read the passage again, slowly. Allow your word, phrase or image to come alive and deepen in your consciousness. Consider what it means in this passage and what it means in your life. What is God saying to you through your word, phrase or image?
3) Oratio: prayer.
When it feels time to move on, read the passage again, slowly. Allow yourself to move toward God who has already moved toward you through your word, phrase or image. How do you respond to God's movements ... in words or another creative way?
4) Contemplatio: contemplation.
When your time of encountering the scripture feels finished, it is time to rest. Allow all of the words and images and emotions to fall away until you are immersed in Silence, the God who holds you ... for as long as you can. Make an embodied gesture to close your time of prayerful reading. Amen.
Thus says the Lord:
Stand at the crossroads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way lies; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls. ~Jeremiah 6:16
Lectio Divina is an ancient, contemplative way to encounter scripture in prayerful presence. In order to digest the text, choose a passage less than 10 verses. You could start with only one verse ... such as Jeremiah 6:16! There are 4 movements ...
1) Lectio: reading.
Slowly read the passage and immerse yourself in the beauty of the text. There may be a word, phrase or image that bubbles up into your consciousness, the words may "shimmer," calling your attention.
2) Meditatio: meditation.
Read the passage again, slowly. Allow your word, phrase or image to come alive and deepen in your consciousness. Consider what it means in this passage and what it means in your life. What is God saying to you through your word, phrase or image?
3) Oratio: prayer.
When it feels time to move on, read the passage again, slowly. Allow yourself to move toward God who has already moved toward you through your word, phrase or image. How do you respond to God's movements ... in words or another creative way?
4) Contemplatio: contemplation.
When your time of encountering the scripture feels finished, it is time to rest. Allow all of the words and images and emotions to fall away until you are immersed in Silence, the God who holds you ... for as long as you can. Make an embodied gesture to close your time of prayerful reading. Amen.