What is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina means "reading of God" and indicates the monastic practice of "prayerful reading" of the Bible.

 

The systematization of Lectio Divina in four steps comes from the XII century. By the year 1150, Guido (Guigues), a Carthusian monk, wrote a book called "The ladder of monks", in which he explained the theory of the four steps:

 

STEPS FOR LECTIO

 

1. LECTIO:

What does the text say?

"Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ" (Saint Jerome).

 

- - It is simply to read, read and read again the Bible order to become acquainted with it. The Bible is not an outdated and insignificant book to our lives, but CURRENT AND SIGNIFICANT book. It has much to tell us about ourselves, about the world and about the historical moment we live. But to discover the link between us and the Word, written centuries ago, it should be read consistently and continuously, persevering daily.

 

2.MEDITATIO:

What about the text?

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart"

(Luke 2:19)

 

After answering the question what the text says ?, now we boarded another question: what does the text say to me, to us? It is updating the message and enter into dialogue with the God who speaks in him, here and now.

 

3. ORATIO:

What would you say to God?

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought" (Rom 8:26).

The question of this third step is: What will you respond to God from the text?
At this time specially dedicated to prayer, the reader responds to God, moved by the Spirit. You can do so by using the psalms (as did Jesus himself), existing prayers, songs or words sprouted spontaneously from your lips in line with the experience.

 

4.CONTEMPLATIO:

How does it change your mind and heart?
"And God looked upon the children of Israel and knew ..." I have seen the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard, have come down to deliver them. '"(Ex 2,25; 3,7-8)

Contemplation is the last step of Lectio Divina. However, it becomes the beginning for a new beginning. Thus, through a constantly renewed process of reading, meditation, prayer, contemplation, we are making progress in understanding the meaning and power of the Word of God. We can never say: "I have made in my life, the whole aim of the Word of God. I've picked up all meaning. "