Lectio Divina, which is a Latin phrase, literally means “divine reading.” It is a slow, contemplative, and a devotional way of praying of the Holy Bible. This way of reading of the Bible prayerfully enables the Word of God to become a means of uniting ourselves with God (Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O., Centering Prayer, 37). Hence, through Lectio Divina a believer searches not the knowledge about Holy Scriptures, but a union with God. The goal of listening to the Word of God is not to have increased knowledge, but to experience a closer union with God.
Therefore, Lectio Divina is a method of prayer that helps us to use Sacred Scriptures to facilitate our relationship with God. Although this form of spiritual way of reading the Holy Scriptures is distinctly Catholic, there are similar methods that can be found in other theistic religions. This way of spiritual reading of the Bible goes back to the early monastic tradition that had been around since AD 300. That is it existed for over 1,700 years. Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O. states that Lectio Divina is a very ancient art that was practiced at one time by all Christians. (Pennington, O.C.S.O., Centering Prayer, 37) There were not enough Bibles for everyone to read at that period of time. Not only that, everyone did not know how to read. Therefore, the monks and nuns in early monastic communities gathered to hear a member of the community reading from the Holy Bible. Everyone who listened to the Word of God was encouraged to listen with their hearts. It is because it was the Word of God that they were hearing.
Traditionally, there are four steps or stages in the process of praying of the Holy Bible through Lectio Divina. They are: lectio (listening/reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). Pope Benedict, XVI in the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation,Verbum Domini broke down Lectio Divina into the following steps; Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, Contemplatio, and then encountering with God in Scriptures through Actio (action) (Verbum Domini, nos. 86-87). These steps were created to give guidance and to provide structure for us who wish to listen to God’s word in the Holy Bible. Though at first each step seems difficult, over time we may learn the art of praying through Lectio Divina. First and foremost, this process calls us to slow down and to savor the time in God’s Word and find joy in union with God.
— Fr. Niranjan Rodrigo, Ph.D.
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