LECTIO DIVINA
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Lectio divina, or “holy reading,” is an ancient practice from the Christian tradition, dating from the early medieval era of prayerful study of Scripture in monasteries This prayer practice has been used by Christians since St. Benedict described lectio divina in his Rule around the year 500
Lectio divina is a slow, quiet, and thoughtful encounter with Scripture It aims to help us discern what God is calling us to be and to do, as we listen for God’s voice through the stories of Scripture
Based on the image of Jacob’s ladder, a twelfth-century Carthusian monk named Guigo II described four steps of lectio divina: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation) Through these four steps, God’s word sinks deeper into our hearts and imagination
But lectio divina is different from Bible study We let the Scripture passage stand alone, without additional explanation or commentary, because lectio divina is an encounter between God’s word and our lives
Slowly reading and reflecting on the biblical passage three times provides time and space for God’s word to move from our lips, into our minds, and finally into our hearts
Over time, lectio divina can become a prayer that opens your heart to hear how God is speaking in your everyday life. As you become comfortable with this form of prayer, you might try taking the word or phrase that spoke to you from the week’s Scripture and holding it in mind as you go about your day, praying with the word or phrase at the start and end of each day
from Called On The Way: The Daily Practice of Discipleship by Kathleen A. Cahalan and Laura Kelly Fanucci
The first readings from each Sunday in Advent offer us vivid images of God’s coming among us, from the prophets of the Old Testament You can practice lectio divina with these readings to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s coming and its call upon our lives Use the steps on the following page to pray with each passage during the weeks of Advent. Feel free to journal or note down your insights.
Find a quiet place for your reflection. Begin in prayer:
Lord, open my heart to your Word. Amen.
Read the Scripture passage out loud for the first time. Spend a few moments in silence reflecting on the passage
What word or phrase strikes you?
Hold that word or phrase in your mind as you spend a few moments in quiet reflection.
Read the Scripture passage out loud for the second time, holding in mind the word or phrase that struck you when you first read it
What might God be saying to you through this word or phrase?
Spend a few moments in quiet reflection
Read the Scripture passage out loud for the third and final time
How might God be calling you to act through the word or phrase that first struck you? How might you respond to God’s call?
Sit with the Scripture passage for another minute in quiet reflection and thanksgiving
Then close with a final prayer:
Lord, open my heart to your Word. Amen.
The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot ; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The LORD our justice.”
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name
For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones
For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God’s command; for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company Baruch 5:1-9
3
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.
4 T H S U N D A Y
Thus says the LORD: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times
Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; and they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Micah 5:1-4a