1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,
2 "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:
6 `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared;
8 and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy;
11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Who is Lectio Divina for?
Lectio Divina is for anyone who wishes to experience the living Word of God in a deeper and more personal way.
What is Lectio Divina?
Lectio Divina is a four step process of getting closer to God. It was started by a Carthusian monk named Guigo. He referred to these four steps as rungs on a ladder leading from earth to heaven. It is based on reading scripture which is the word of God.
It consists of:
1) lectio - reading a scripture passage - paying careful attention to the individual words
2) meditatio - meditating on the passage - looking for inner meaning
3) oratio - praying about the passage - turning toward God and away from distractions
4) contemplatio - understanding God's intent for the passage - the mind is lifted above its normal capacity towards God
It consists of:
1) lectio - reading a scripture passage - paying careful attention to the individual words
2) meditatio - meditating on the passage - looking for inner meaning
3) oratio - praying about the passage - turning toward God and away from distractions
4) contemplatio - understanding God's intent for the passage - the mind is lifted above its normal capacity towards God
Where should Lectio Divina be done?
Lectio can be done anywhere, but it should be done in a place conducive to privacy and prayerfulness. Get yourself as far away from outside distractions as possible.
A common suggestion is a quiet space with moderate illumination and perhaps an icon and a candle carefully placed in plain view as a reminder of the sacredness of the Holy Scriptures.
Whatever works best for you is just fine. Relax and get comfortable - but not too comfortable. Remember, you want to stay awake to hear what God wants to reveal to you.
A common suggestion is a quiet space with moderate illumination and perhaps an icon and a candle carefully placed in plain view as a reminder of the sacredness of the Holy Scriptures.
Whatever works best for you is just fine. Relax and get comfortable - but not too comfortable. Remember, you want to stay awake to hear what God wants to reveal to you.
When should Lectio Divina be done?
Again, this is a personal choice. It is suggested that you pick a time of day when you are not apt to be distracted, but also not too close to bed time.
Beginners should set aside approximately 5-15 minutes per day for Lectio Divina. Those more advanced can set aside up to 1 hour or more a day. The important thing is to do your best to make it a daily ritual.
Beginners should set aside approximately 5-15 minutes per day for Lectio Divina. Those more advanced can set aside up to 1 hour or more a day. The important thing is to do your best to make it a daily ritual.
Watch a "how to" video on Lectio Divina
How Do I Do Lectio Divina?
Follow these simple steps:
1) Read the text aloud once
2) Read the text silently a second time, watching for words or phrases that grab your attention. If a particular word catches your eye, it's all right to stop reading and just focus on that one word or phrase.
3) Think about what you read and ask yourself questions like - what was the context of the passage? How did it affect the people involved? How does it apply to situations in my own life?
4) Pray - ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in understanding what it is that God wants to reveal to you. Then just sit silently and listen.
5) Share - Share what you heard in your meditation and prayer time. If you're not comfortable sharing in a group setting, then keep a private journal to write down your thoughts.
6) Proclaim the text - a third and final time, slowly and with feeling.
7) End with a prayer of thanksgiving to God for this time together.
1) Read the text aloud once
2) Read the text silently a second time, watching for words or phrases that grab your attention. If a particular word catches your eye, it's all right to stop reading and just focus on that one word or phrase.
3) Think about what you read and ask yourself questions like - what was the context of the passage? How did it affect the people involved? How does it apply to situations in my own life?
4) Pray - ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in understanding what it is that God wants to reveal to you. Then just sit silently and listen.
5) Share - Share what you heard in your meditation and prayer time. If you're not comfortable sharing in a group setting, then keep a private journal to write down your thoughts.
6) Proclaim the text - a third and final time, slowly and with feeling.
7) End with a prayer of thanksgiving to God for this time together.
A Word About Contemplatio
Helpful Tools & Tips
To get started - find a good spot, quiet your mind and begin.
Click on the RSS feed of the daily readings from Catholic Online located on the upper left hand side of your screen. You can choose either the reading or the Gospel. If you do this daily, you will be following the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. I'll be posting the daily Gospel along with a comment or two to start the day off.
Other helpful links are listed on the left of the page where you can view entire books of the bible for those of you who prefer to concentrate on one biblical book at a time.
Don't jump around randomly in your reading. Either follow a book of the bible from start to finish or follow the liturgical calendar. You can also follow a particular theme such as the Passion Narrative or the Nativity or Creation. That part is up to you but whatever you start, its best to stick with it for continuity purposes.
Share, Share, Share! - Please share what you hear, what you learn and how it has impacted your life. Blog it all - the positive and the not so positive experiences, but don't debate issues with others. This is not a forum for biblical exegesis or commentary. It is simply a sharing of unique encounters with the Lord. If you are inspired by someone's comments, tell them about it and thank God for the blessing. If you disagree with a comment, keep it silently in your heart and move on. If someone has had a particularly disappointing situation where they were unable to concentrate or just felt kind of spiritually dry - offer them some words of encouragement. Remember, we are here to support and strengthen one another in our quest to know the Lord. Together we can share what God is teaching us. What an awesome treasure!! May God Bless you and may your lectio experience bear much fruit.
Don't be afraid to do outside reading of articles, commentaries etc., to enhance your overall understanding of the scripture.
Finally, don't get discouraged. You won't always be able to concentrate, you won't always hear what God is trying to tell you, but persevere. Your life will be better because of it. Have patience and you will slowly begin to notice subtle changes in the way you approach life's daily tasks. The beauty of the world will overshadow the evil and mundane. Even the simplest task will take on new meaning.
Click on the RSS feed of the daily readings from Catholic Online located on the upper left hand side of your screen. You can choose either the reading or the Gospel. If you do this daily, you will be following the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. I'll be posting the daily Gospel along with a comment or two to start the day off.
Other helpful links are listed on the left of the page where you can view entire books of the bible for those of you who prefer to concentrate on one biblical book at a time.
Don't jump around randomly in your reading. Either follow a book of the bible from start to finish or follow the liturgical calendar. You can also follow a particular theme such as the Passion Narrative or the Nativity or Creation. That part is up to you but whatever you start, its best to stick with it for continuity purposes.
Share, Share, Share! - Please share what you hear, what you learn and how it has impacted your life. Blog it all - the positive and the not so positive experiences, but don't debate issues with others. This is not a forum for biblical exegesis or commentary. It is simply a sharing of unique encounters with the Lord. If you are inspired by someone's comments, tell them about it and thank God for the blessing. If you disagree with a comment, keep it silently in your heart and move on. If someone has had a particularly disappointing situation where they were unable to concentrate or just felt kind of spiritually dry - offer them some words of encouragement. Remember, we are here to support and strengthen one another in our quest to know the Lord. Together we can share what God is teaching us. What an awesome treasure!! May God Bless you and may your lectio experience bear much fruit.
Don't be afraid to do outside reading of articles, commentaries etc., to enhance your overall understanding of the scripture.
Finally, don't get discouraged. You won't always be able to concentrate, you won't always hear what God is trying to tell you, but persevere. Your life will be better because of it. Have patience and you will slowly begin to notice subtle changes in the way you approach life's daily tasks. The beauty of the world will overshadow the evil and mundane. Even the simplest task will take on new meaning.
For Further Reading
- Casey, Michael. Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina. Missouri: Liguori Publications c1995.
- Colledge, Edmund, OSA and Walsh, James, SJ. Guigo II: Ladder of Monks and Twelve Meditations. Michigan: Cistercian Publications c1979.
- Dicken, E.W. Trueman, The Crucible of Love: A Study in the Mysticism of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross. (London: Darton, 1963), pp. 283-514.
- Kardong, Terrence, G., O.S.B., Chewing the Text: Early Monastic Lectio Divina of the Bible. Canadian Catholic Review (November, 1993): 7-10
- Magrassi, Mariano. Praying the Bible: An Introduction to Lectio Divina. Minnesota: The Liturgical Press c1998.
- Masini, Mario. Lectio Divina An Ancient Prayer That is Ever New. New York: The Society of St. Paul c1998.
- Vogue, de, Adalbert, O.S.B., Daily Readings in Monasteries, Cistercian Studies Quarterly (1991): 286-294
Happy Posting!
Now that you know what Lectio Divina is, you can start posting your thoughts and meditations. Feel free to suggest further reading material that you think would help others.
God Bless!
God Bless!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
John 1: 19-28
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"
20 He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."
21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No."
22 They said to him then, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25 They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?"
26 John answered them, "I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know,
27 even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."
28 This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
20 He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."
21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No."
22 They said to him then, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25 They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?"
26 John answered them, "I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know,
27 even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."
28 This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Luke 2: 16-21
16 And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child;
18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child;
18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
John 1: 1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God;
3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
9 The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.
11 He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.
12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God;
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
15 (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'")
16 And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
2 He was in the beginning with God;
3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
9 The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.
11 He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.
12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God;
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
15 (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'")
16 And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
Luke 2: 36-4
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,
37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2: 22-35
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;
30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;
34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;
30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;
34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
Matthew 2: 13-18
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."
14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt,
15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more."
14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt,
15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more."
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