HOLY EUCHARIST
LAY CARMELITE COMMUNITY
of Rhode Island
LECTIO DIVINA
What is Lectio Divina?
LECTIO DIVINA is a traditional way of praying the Scriptures so that the Word of God may penetrate our hearts and that we may grow in an intimate relationship with the Lord.
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Lectio Divina is a very natural way of prayer and was developed and practiced by the early monks and thus came to the first Carmelite hermits.
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Through the practice of Lectio Divina, as individuals and as community, we leave space for God's Word to transform us so that we may begin to look upon our world as it were with the eyes of God and to love what we see with the heart of God.
- from Carmel's Call
Practicing Lectio Divina
Find a quiet place. Select a Scripture passage on which to meditate. Begin by praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance.
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LECTIO (Read)
Read the passage slowly. Read it a second time. Reflect on the truth of the Word. What word or phrase is your heart drawn to? Reflect on the truth of the part of this scripture that you are drawn to.
MEDATIO (Reflect)
Read the passage again. Reflect on self. What is Christ revealing to me? What does he want me to do about this? How does he want me to grow? Ask for his guidance to be able to respond in a concrete and practical way. How might you change from this day forward?
ORATIO (Respond)
Repeat the passage for the final time. Respond with prayer. Ask Christ for his spiritual strength and graces in what he has revealed he wants you to do. Thank him and praise him for his help and love.
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CONTEMPLATIO (Rest)
Recollect your senses to the loving awareness of his presence within. Close your eyes, rest in him.
“Be still and know that I am God” - Ps. 46:10