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 Gods presence.
• Action. Go and do likewise.

Before I begin Lectio Divina, which includes about one hour, I usually have a cup of tea, coffee, or water.

Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, 2024: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6.; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6

As you read the Gospel for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, over and over, here are some questions you might think about:
What phrase or word(s) struck you?
What about John the Baptist?
What do the following words mean to you: Desert, way, paths, valley, rough roads?
What is the Lord telling you as you read this particular Scripture?

The Gospel of Lk 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, 
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, 
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region
of Ituraea and Trachonitis, 
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, 
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, 
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
    A voice of one crying out in the desert:
    “Prepare the way of the Lord,
        make straight his paths.
    Every valley shall be filled
        and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
    The winding roads shall be made straight,
        and the rough ways made smooth,
    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

 

 

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