Lectio Divina
 
Lectio Divina is a blessing for the entire Church as it opens up the rich truths of Scripture for every Christian.  Through it believers are invited to read, understand and deepen their appreciation of the Scriptures and to seek guidance for their lives in the teachings of Jesus.  The goal is to meet Jesus as we read his Word and allow him to transform our lives to be more like him through the work of the Holy Spirit.  Lectio Divina is a dynamic, life-oriented approach to the Holy Scriptures through reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

The following guidelines are an excerpt from Sunday Gospel Readings: Lectio Divina – Year A: Year of Matthewpublished by the Canadian Bible Society.  To order Lectio Divina printed version or to download a pdf version, go to www.biblesociety.ca
 
“LECTIO” – Reading
Reading the Scripture passage humbly and prayerfully is the foundation for everything else that follows and cannot be rushed.  So begin with a prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to ‘lead you into all the truth’ (John 16:13).  

Read the passage slowly and carefully.  Avoid being tempted to look at the Lectio comments or any of the other steps at this stage.  

Have a notebook and pencil ready.  Underline, or make a note of, any words or phrases that stand out to you.  Write down any questions that occur to you.  Read the passage several times and read it aloud.  Give yourself time to understand and appreciate what is being said.  

Now read the Lectio comments and reflect on the ways they are similar or different to your first thoughts. 
 
“MEDITATIO” – Meditation
Meditation deepens our appreciation of the passage and helps us to explore its riches. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16 that ‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instructions for right living...’ So approach Scripture in faith expecting God to speak to you. He may reveal something of himself to you. He might highlight an attitude or behaviour of yours that needs to change. He might show you a promise to encourage and strengthen you. 
 
Here are some suggested approaches you may find helpful:
Use your imagination. Picture the passage; put yourself into the scene and become part of the story. See things through the eyes of the other characters, listen to what they say, watch their reactions, imagine how they feel. Keep coming back to Jesus. Get to know him; delight yourself and become fascinated by him, his words, his actions, the way he responds – everything about him. 

Ask questions. Use your own questions and the questions given to think more deeply about the passage and what God wants to say to you. Ask Jesus why he did and said what he did. Try to understand his reasons and intentions. Allow time to be quiet, to listen and hear his answer. 

Let the Word be a mirror for you. As we read the Bible it shows us more of what the Christian life looks like and where ours needs to change. We see how God’s Word applies to our daily life, as an individual, and as part of our community and society. We will find promises and encouragement, challenges and demands. If we are willing God will nurture and free us to be more fully human and fully alive. 
 
“ORATIO” – Prayer
Prayer opens up a conversation between God and us. In the Psalms we see how the writers pour out their feelings to God, often mixing hopes and fears side by side. God values our honesty. We can’t hide anything from him anyway. Using the words of the responsorial psalm can help us but we can also use our own words to have a heart-to-heart conversation with a very special friend.
 
Through prayer we make our response to the light God’s Word has shed on how we are living our lives. Now we can bring what is happening in our own life and in our community before God. We speak and listen, listen and reflect – it is a conversation with God. 
 
“CONTEMPLATIO” – Contemplation
To help us interpret the Gospel reading the Liturgy provides two further Scripture readings. Reflecting on these can both enrich our understanding of the text and bring into focus a response we may need to make to the Lord. 

Contemplation gives us the opportunity for an intimate time of communion with God. Be still before God and invite him in. Few words, if any, are necessary here. Enjoy time in his presence. Just be with him and let him love you. Let him refresh your soul. 
 
Review 
After you have finished your time of reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation you may want to jot down in a notebook any experiences or thoughts that particularly impressed you. You may find it helpful to look back at these later.