INTRODUCTION TO LECTIO DIVINA PART 2: LECTIO

Reading in spirit and truth

What is lectio divina? Content, structure, underlying principles






Stage 1, lectio or reading.

The first stage, lectio, reading, can be done in two ways in Bible groups. The whole session should begin with a prayer invoking the Holy Spirit to enlighten us as we read the text. Then, maintaining this prayerful disposition, we read in silence and in turn share our understanding of the text. The leader of the group would add his contribution by explaining things that have not been covered and provide added insight. The time this takes would depend on the length and the complexity of the text. But it should not take more than a few minutes, ten, at the most. Enough time to explain the essential meaning of the text as a whole. During this phase there is sharing but no interaction, no commenting individual contributions. It is not a discussion session but is done in prayerful recollection the aim of which is to understand the essential character of the text itself. It is an objective understanding of what the text actually says.

At times this sharing has been replaced by a very brief talk explaining the meaning of the passage. This, strictly speaking, is not lectio, reading, but listening. However, the same aim or objective is achieved and that is, the basic understanding of the text. This alternative way combines the traditional talk with the other stages of lectio divina. It also saves time. Whichever version you adopt would depend on circumstances, time and preferences. More time would be needed for the sharing of views. So this must be taken into consideration. The method using a talk instead of collective sharing is the method adopted here. However, you will also find questions on the texts which will enable the group leader to guide participants when using the collective sharing method. A link to these is to be found at the foot of the talk or meditation page. This stage establishes the foundation on which everything will be built in the later stages.

From the very first stage, we are involved on all levels of our being. The body, by the use of our hands, eyes, ears, physical posture but at this first stage it is primarily the intellect that is involved. Our spirit is also involved as the text is examined in a prayerful disposition and in attentive communion with the Holy Spirit, the ultimate author of the text. As we progress along the four stages our spirit will become more and more involved.

At each transitional point, by which I mean, between one stage and another and between sections within a stage, I play barely audible religious music, which enables a smooth flow from one aspect to another. If we were to compare this first stage to the types of soil in the parable of the sower we could compare it to the seed that falls on the surface of the ground, along the path, where the birds of the air can snatch the seed away. We need to bring the seed down to the rich soil, where it will bear fruit. This will be at stage 4, the contemplation stage. Many Bible groups do not progress beyond stage 1.


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