What is lectio divina?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 2708, “Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.” The five steps of lectio divina include:

• Reading. Read a passage slowly and carefully within the bible.
• Meditation. Thinking deeply or dwelling upon a spiritual reality within a text.
• Prayer. Having a loving conversation with God.
• Contemplation. Resting in God’s presence.
• Action. Go and do likewise.

The Resurrection of the Lord -The Mass of Easter Day, Gospel John 20:1-9
“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.”

During our Lectio Divina it is important to review the verses slowly, trying to take inwardly the message God has for us. We first read about the situation, and the facts about Mary Magdalene when she went to the tomb and perplexed that someone had taken her Lord. Let us pause a moment and think about the times we have been perplexed, surprised, etc. How about the running of the disciples to the tomb and verifying what Mary had announced. Do I believe that Jesus must rise from the dead as part of our faith, as part of the Paschal Mystery? Now go over the five steps as noted above and may you be more aware of God’s love for you. God bless you, SK