Presentation about Lectio Divina Mechanics.pptx

Lectio Divina Presentation

1. Lectio Divina

2. Seek in reading and you will find in meditation ; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation — The four stages of Lectio Divina as taught by John of the Cross .

3. History Practice traced back to 3rd century Origen who believed in Scripture as a Sacrament and using Christ to interpret Scripture Passed on to Ambrose of Milan and Saint Augustine In 4th century, Desert Fathers recited Scripture in public and private but without the meditative step Medieval tradition founded by St Benedict in 5th/6th century. A regular practice in monasteries by the time of St. Benedict in the 6th century. Four steps introduced by Guigo II in 12th century Practiced by Benedictine (6th century), Cistercian and Dominican order (12th century) Promoted by Protestants John Calvin and Richard Baxter in 16th century By mid-19th century, the biblical analysis approach had taken away emphasis on Lectio Divina, but was revived by Second Vatican Council II in 1965 and recommended by Pope Benedictine XVI in 2005. Popularity has increased outside monastic circles Present today in Anglican and Methodist circles

4. Mechanics Means ‘divine reading’ Contemplative way of reading and meditating on the Bible. Purp ose is to enter into a conversation with God and cultivate the gift of contemplation. Listening to what God is saying through the text Sees Scripture as a meeting place for a personal encounter with the Living God. Operates at heart rather than head, about formation rather than instruction Since it is focused on listening, it excludes: dissecting/studying the text, discussion in group lectio Two forms: monastic and scholastic Scholastic: Step by step-Reading, reflecting, responding and resting Monastic: more ancient method where all four are experienced as moments rather than steps. Interaction between moments is dynamic and follows the prompting of the Spirit. Originally practiced in private

5. Mechanics Before starting, be silent and invite the Spirit into this time. May use the Jesus prayer, or pray something like “God, let me hear from you,” Step 1 Read (Lectio) Short enough so that can be read slowly and devotionally without rushing (or have enough time) Step 2 Reflect (Meditatio) Treasure and attentively reflect on what God may be speaking through the words (like receiving a love letter) Inwardly digest the word, like a cow chewing its cud. Pay attention to phrases that God has impressed upon us (some propose this under Step 1) Can and should involve study/exposition Step 3 Pray (Oratio) Converse with God based on what we have heard and feel. Could be thanksgiving/repentance/petition. May journal Step 4 Rest (Contemplatio) Silent, wordless rest where we simply be still and present to God (may introduce centering prayer during this time using a word that stood out)

6. Mechanics (Notes) Some suggest to take the word that stands out and bring your mind back to it throughout the day. Thomas Keating proposes a variant that emphasizes repeating the word that stands out over and over again throughout the meditation. Savoring it, relishing it. And once you find that you move beyond the meaning of the Word, rest in God (contemplatio) as long as the Presence or attraction remains. May follow an online Lectionary/read by book/theme. https://prayer.forwardmovement.org/daily-devotions https://lectionary.anglican.ca/ Group Lectio Listen to what others are saying, trusting that God speaks to us through the words of others. Group version uses same four steps but one person reads the verses aloud, and after each step (or at the end), people share briefly with no discussion.

7. Spiritual Value Teaches us how to listen Helps us behold Jesus and enables the Spirit to form our hearts Intimacy with Jesus as we commune and be present with Him and His Word Growth in self-awareness as the Word shapes our hearts and lives Group lectio can help a group (eg para church org or church leader meeting) to frame their minds before the meeting, rather than jumping into the agenda immediately or just speaking what is on their minds Group lectio allows for everyone to participate without feeling judged. (vs Bible study where people fear of speaking and getting the wrong answer) Group lectio facilitates active participation around the Word without going into a sermon/lecture (look at Bible together rather than consider the content of a lecture)-can be helpful during a content-heavy meeting eg conference Helpful for believers who find Bible study daunting, or the elderly/mentally impaired Some find that people take words out of context

8. Personal Reflection I use Lectio Divina after centering prayer in mornings Intend and hope for it to help me abide w Jesus, but doubtful of its effectiveness thus far Balance between meditative vs Bible study? (5 day meditative 2 day study) Easier to enter (less focus and don’t need to assign a block of an hour at least) If done daily, no room left for Bible study. Should it be done daily? How does verbatim memorization and Lectio Divina go hand in hand/complement each other? (Feel that I have more room to chew on specific words over weeks when memorizing vs Lectio Divina) Lectio Divina Mechanics Can’t tell the difference between meditatio and oratio Not sure if I’m conflating all the steps or doing it properly, not used to this way of reading Scripture and not sure if I’m taking away anything-what are examples of takeaway when done correctly? Feel more in tune with centering prayer as a practice for stillness (maybe because it need not involve the Bible, and I have been used to Bible study as the only way to approach the Bible. Some days I only do centering, and my Protestant gene complains ‘no Bible in your QT?’) Sometimes no word really stands out, feel like I have to choose a word/phrase How do I know the difference between a word I chose and a word that God is bringing to my attention?

9. Thank You