Lectio Divina: Listening with the Heart

Lectio Divina is a Latin phrase meaning, ‘Godly reading’. It is a simple yet profound method of prayer found in many traditions of Christian spirituality.

Sometimes it is called ‘meditative reading’ or ‘spiritual reading’, but could perhaps better be described as praying with a listening heart.

The ‘lectio’ of Lectio Divina is a listening with the heart, as you tend to do quite naturally when you are struck by the beauty of a sunset, as you are mulling over a treasured memory, or as you pay attention to someone you love.

In praying this way you read a scripture passage or other sacred text and you let God guide your heart.

You read slowly, with pauses, and relish or drink in the words you are reading. A natural process takes place: heartfelt listening moves naturally into a deep reflection upon the words and the silences between them; and that deep reflection leads you to some kind of heartfelt response. You find yourself speaking from the heart to the God who has spoken to you.

Let the ease and rhythm of this approach to prayer carry you deeper into God.

Jesus Christ is revealed to us through His Holy Word whenever we read the Scriptures or hear them proclaimed at Mass. Through Him we come to know the Father.

Lectio Divina Instructions

Have your scripture passage ready in front of you and become comfortable with it.

Read it over a few times to get past any questions that arise about meaning. Invite God to speak to you through the text. Ask for openness. Let yourself settle into an expectant stillness.

This kind of prayer has three ‘phases’ that you move between as you feel drawn: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation) and oratio (prayer).

Lectio

Read slowly and gently, listening with your heart to the words. There is no need to rush. No need to get to the end of the passage. When a particular word or phrase strikes you and seems to have some savour, linger with it …

Meditatio

… let it into you. Pause with it. Let the word or phrase resonate. Repeat it to yourself, relish it, let it echo and soak into you until the ‘flavour’ begins to go, then …

Oratio

… let yourself respond in prayer, in words from the heart, or a space full of silence, or spontaneous, unspoken feeling. Whenever the moment feels ripe, begin to read again …

Ending

When you are ready, mark the end of your time of prayer with some closing gesture or words of prayer. Afterwards you might want to make a note of anything that seemed significant.