Lectio Divina
Be Still and Know that I AM GOD.
Wednesday of the Second Week in Lent 3/8/23
Yes, I missed posting yesterday. Some days there is just soooo much to attend to, and yesterday was one of them! I ended up being at work until 11pm and left my book there. While I could have possibly mustered up some sort of reflection, I was simply toast! I really had nothing left to offer. I chose to rest in the arms of God and be restored. Sometimes, that is the better thing. It’s hard for this Martha to be a Mary, but sometimes, I can!
Yesterday’s theme was “The Ultimate Humility of Christ”. I feel that by offering you the following scripture passage to contemplate, will be offering you the gift of Lent. There really is not much more that needs to be said. So, here is Philippians 2:5-11:
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality
with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death –
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him
the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
If you have never tried Lectio Divina, this would be an excellent, though lengthy, passage to begin that practice with. (I suggest selecting only a portion of this text.)
There are four steps to “Divine Reading”: Lectio (Reading), Meditatio (Reflecting), Oratio (Responding), and, Contemplatio (Resting). It’s important to start by preparing yourself to spend 20-30 minutes for this practice. You may go longer, but it is not something to be hurried. Preparation might include choosing a time and space where you will not be interrupted, silencing your phone, lighting a candle, having your Bible with you and perhaps a selected scripture passage. You may want to jot down some of your thoughts, so you might want to include a journal and pen.
Some start with the Our Father, or some prayer to invite God into your time and space.
Lectio: As you read the selected scripture, read it very slowly; see if any word(s) or phrase(s) jump out at you. What might God be drawing your attention to contemplate. Ask God what He wants to say to you.
Meditatio: Read the passage again, slowly. Ask God, again, what He wants you to know, learn, understand. Take the time to really listen to the words that seem important to you at this time.
Oratio: Read the passage a third time, if possible, aloud. Hearing the words sometimes can bring a bit more clarity. This is a time for your response. It can be prayed and/or journaled. What has been made clear to you, or what would you like clarified for you. It may come to you later in the day, or week – having a record of your experience helps to refer back to.
Contemplatio: A final reading and then simply resting with the Lord. Letting it all settle in your heart. If you have distracting thoughts, just let them come and go – but do not dwell upon them. Some find that using a cloud or boat or kite – something in which to put their thought – then, gently let it ‘fly away’. This is not a time to judge thoughts, it is a time to just sit and be with God.
You can finish with a prayer of gratitude, and, Amen.
This might seem arduous at first, but with practice it will become easier. I use it as a time to deepen my relationship with God and to just spend quality time with Him. As you progress in the process, you might find it more helpful in your preparation to try St. Ignatius of Loyola’s practice of using your imagination in prayer:
Try to insert yourself into the reading – when and where was this writing taking place?
Who was writing this?
To whom were they writing?
Why do you think the word(s) or phrase(s) struck you as worth noting?
What is God trying to say to you?
This is not a Bible Study, per se, but simply ways to go deeper and deeper with God. He will help you get there – you just need to show up!
May you continue to be blessed upon your journey.