September 5, 2023 Lectio Divina Practice

Pope Benedict XVI recommended the Lectio Divina this way:

"The ancient practice of Lectio Divina or 'spiritual reading' of Sacred Scripture consists in pouring over a biblical text for some time, reading it and rereading it, and squeezing from it, so to speak, all its 'juice', so that it may nourish meditation and contemplation and, like water, succeed in irrigating life itself."

According to Pope Benedict’s description, meditating on scripture can be a form of spiritual irrigation and nourishment, akin to the way God irrigates the desert to nourish his people in Psalm 107.

When you work over a piece of scripture through the Lectio Divina, you are doing something similar to the work of agriculture. Through the four stages of this reading practice you prepare the soil, you water the seeds, you look for what might sprout, and you reap a harvest.

Practice the Lectio Divina

1) Read (Lectio). Read the passage slowly. Notice any words or phrases that jump out at you.

"He turns a desert into a pool, dry land into springs.  He causes the hungry to settle there, and they establish a city where they can live."  (Psalm 107:35-36)

2) Reflect (Meditatio). Read the passage again. What emotions does it stir up? Is there anything God is saying to you personally through the passage?

"He turns a desert into a pool, dry land into springs.  He causes the hungry to settle there, and they establish a city where they can live." (Psalm 107:35-36)

3) Respond (Oratio). Read the passage again. Begin to dialog with God and open yourself to his will.  Is there a response or action step God is inviting you to take?

"He turns a desert into a pool, dry land into springs.  He causes the hungry to settle there, and they establish a city where they can live."  (Psalm 107:35-36)

4) Rest (Contemplatio). Read the passage one last time. Listen closely with your heart and put into practice what he has told you as you go about your day.

"He turns a desert into a pool, dry land into springs.  He causes the hungry to settle there, and they establish a city where they can live."  (Psalm 107:35-36)

Prayer: God, thank you for nourishing me spiritually through your word.