Lectio Divina

A very important element of Pauline Spirituality is the reading and meditation of sacred scripture. This can be done fruitfully in various ways, individually or in groups. One method of deepening our understanding of the Word is Lectio divina (Divine reading).

Lectio divina is a powerful means of Bible reading for spiritual growth. The lectio can be practiced in a small group or individually. Some may find they have already been practicing a devotional approach to scripture very much like this, but with a different name. Others may find they already practice lectio, but in a slightly different format than that presented here. The method presented here is both faithful to the tradition and responsive to contemporary needs.

This article presents a specific group lectio method by outlining and discussing the basic procedure. Each step of the process is described; a summary chart is presented at the end for reference. This is the group lectio procedure, stated briefly:

After a period of preparation, the leader reads a short passage from scripture. In silence, the group members listen attentively for a particular word or phrase that seems to be given to each. Then each person simply speaks aloud the word he or she has received.

A member other than the leader reads the same passage a second time, and in silence the group members ponder how the passage seems to touch their lives. Then one by one they briefly speak aloud their sense of being touched.

The same passage is read a third time, and in silence the group members reflect on what the passage seems to be inviting them to do or be over the next few days. Then the members each speak of their invitation.

Finally, each member prays that the person sitting to the right of him/her will be empowered to do or be what her or she feels called by the Lord to do or be.

Let's look at this process now in more detail.

Preparation

The group gathers, sitting in a close circle. Only the leader has a Bible, with a passage of no more than ten verses selected. The leader begins by aiding the group members to become quiet and fully present, in expectancy of hearing and receiving God in their midst.

Stage One: Hear the Word

The leader reads the selected passage twice. The first time helps the group members orient themselves to the particular passage; they can listen for overall comprehension. The second reading, immediately following, is a bit slower. This time members are invited to listen attentively for a particular word or phrase that seems especially to attract them at the moment. It must be a word or phrase from the passage itself, yet it need not be at all central to the passage. For example, if the passage begins, "Jesus went across the lake in the boat with his disciples to pray," it may be that the word that particularly seems to call to you at the moment is boat. You do not need to understand why, nor explain or defend the choice of word either to yourself, to the group, or to God. You would simply consent to receive the word boat. Then you would repeat it softly over and over to yourself in the minute of silence following the reading. The group members wait to speak until the leader invites all of them to say the word or phrase they have specially heard. It is important that no one explains or elaborates on what has been heard; each person says on the word or phrase received from the passage, without additional comment. Also, at any stage anyone may choose not to share but to pass, for any reason or no reason. So at this time, each member either speaks his or her word or phrase or indicates a desire to pass.

Stage Two: How is My Life Touched?

The leader asks another person in the group to read the passage for the second stage of the process. It is well to choose a variety of voices to read during a lectio session because different voices often lead us to hear different things. This time the passage is read only once, slowly.

Before this reading begins, the leader reminds the group that they are to listen to the passage with the particular question in mind, "How is my life touched by this passage today?" They should continue this contemplation in the two to three minutes of silence that follow. Normally, this question is pondered specifically in relation to the word or phrase found during the first stage, but this is not rigid. Another word or phrase may substitute itself in this second listening. The members may consider the question, "How is my life touched...?" in one of two ways. The first way is our normal, abstract way of understanding, for example, "Considering that my life is a constellation of specific matters at the moment, and the scripture passage is also a constellation of factors, in what ways do the two seem to inform and interact with each other?" The second way is more sensory and less abstract. That is, you can interpret the word touched more literally, and allow yourself to be receptive to a special image, sound, taste, touch, or smell that seems to be given in relation to the passage. You may not immediately understand what the connection is between, for instance, the image that emerges and the passage itself, but again, you consent imply to accept what is given and to dwell with it and reflect on it during the silence following the reading.

As before, the leader brings the silence to a close by inviting members to share briefly (on or two sentences) how they sense their lives to be touched by the passage. Members might begins with a phrase such as "I hear," "I see," or "I sense," and continue for one or two sentences. It is again quite important that the words shared by succinct, without explanation or justification of what has been sensed. And again, anyone may choose to pass.

Stage Three: Is There an Invitation Here?

The leader asks another person in the group to read the passage for the third stage of the process. Before the reading begins, the leader reminds the group that while they listen to the passage, and during the two to three minutes of silence that follows, they should think about the question, "Do I sense that this passage is inviting me to do or be something in the next few days? Is there encouragement or an invitation to me here, not so much for some long-term project, but for something I might do or be in the next day or two? Concretely, what do I sense this passage is calling me to do or be right now?"

The designated person then reads the passage once, slowly, and the members of the group ponder this invitation in two to three minutes of silence. Once more the leader brings the silence to a close by inviting members to share whatever they sense from the passage. This time the sharing may be at somewhat more length, as each participant desires. During this sharing, members pay particularly close attention to what the person to their right says, since they will each pray for that person when the sharing is complete. Once again, anyone who wishes may pass. The group's responsibility is to receive whatever is heard respectfully and prayerfully, without comment. Probably there will be a keens sense of God's presence, and by respectful listening, the group indicates its confidence that each speaker is being cherished by God in this very moment, however joyful or painful, sorrowful or confused, loved or lost the speaker feels.

Stage Four: Prayer

When all have shared or passed, the leader begins the time of prayer. He or she reminds the group that although only one person at a time is formally praying, that person is praying on behalf of the whole group, which jointly holds up the person in prayer before God. It is helpful for each person to say Amen when his or her prayer is finished, and for the group to echo that Amen to reinforce the awareness that it is the whole group's prayer at every moment.

The purpose of the prayer is very simple: that this person may be empowered by God to do or be what was sensed as invitation. The one praying may also include a few words of personal thanksgiving for the brother or sister to the right, but at this time, the prayer's focus is simply on acknowledging that the individual's desire is supported by the prayers of all the others present and by God's own call.

The leader begins, by praying for the person on her or his right, after which the person the leader's left prays for the leader, and so on sequentially around the circle. Members may choose to pray silently, rather than aloud, when their turn comes, but it is helpful to the group process if they announce that intention and then say Amen when they are finished so that the next person knows when to begin. When the prayers are finished, there is a moment of silence before the group adjourns.

Summary

That is all there is to the group lectio process (for your reference, it is summarized in the chart that follows). Lectio has both the simplicity of the gospel and the implicit challenge the gospel holds to make it a vital reality in every person's life. You may be tempted to elaborate on this basic framework, but it is best to keep it simple since lectio's great power is found in its ability to balance elements of activity and receptivity and to use silence as a gentle and unhurried way to open each human heart to God's Word, already active therein. May you be blessed by its practice!

The Process of Group Lectio

The process of group lectio can be summarized as follows:

PREPARE. Take a moment to come fully into the present. Sit comfortably alert, eyes closed.

HEAR THE WORD (THAT IS ADDRESSED TO YOU). First reading (twice). Listen for the word or phrase that attracts from the passge. Repeat it over to yourself softly during a one-minute silence. When the leader gives the signal, say aloud only that word or phrase (no elaboration).

ASK, "HOW IS MY LIFE TOUCHED?" (BY THIS WORD). Second reading. Listen to discover how your life is touched today by this passage. Consider possibilities or receive a sensory impression during the two minutes of silence. When the leader gives the signal, speak a sentence or two beginning with "I hear," "I see," "I sense" (or you may pass).

ASK, "IS THERE AN INVITATION HERE?" (FOR YOU). Third reading. Listen to discover a possible invitation relevant to the next few days. Ponder it during several minutes of silence. When the leader gives the signal, speak of your sense of invitation (or you may pass).

PRAY (FOR ONE ANOTHER TO BE ENABLED TO RESPOND). Pray, aloud or silently, for God to help the person on your right respond to the invitation received. After this process, the group may share how it went, if desired.