Lectio divina is "letting our Divine Friend speak to us through his inspired and inspiring Word," according to M. Basil Pennington, the late priest, retreat master, and prominent lecturer in the Centering Prayer movement. This ancient Christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and fidelity. Father Pennington sets the process of praying the Scriptures in the context of meditation, contemplation, compassion, and action. He calls it "a way of friendship" wherein we pay attention to "the love letters from the Lord." Lectio, as a satisfying mental and emotional experience, can be enhanced by reading different translations of the Bible, using commentaries, participating in Bible study groups, and using the resources of Scripture-oriented websites.
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In this day of widespread interest in spiritual reading, the practice of lectio divina (literally, "divine reading") has sparked renewed interest among Catholics who have reclaimed their ancient contemplative heritage and among those generally interested in prayer and meditation. In the first millennium, when a majority of people were unable to read for themselves, lectio divina involved hearing passages from the Bible during church services or sometimes being given a word or phrase by a spiritual mentor. Pennington, a Trappist monk and author of books on centering prayer, monastic life, and Thomas Merton, emphasizes the experiential aspects of the practice, noting that the intent is not to study Bible passages for knowledge but to deepen awareness of God's presence. Suitable for theological collections and large public libraries.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lectio Divina: devotionally transforming your spiritual life,
By Annie (Modesto, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures (Paperback)
This is a wonderful book to introductory Lectio, as is the aforementioned (prior post) book by Thelma Hall, "Too Deep for Words". I was able to get both at my public library, but will be purchasing a used copy of Pennington's, for my library. His work is an "informative and practical guidebook for today's Christian" written in a way that stirred my soul to begin practicing Lectio Divina (a "method" to reading Scripture or spiritual works). Lectio is a personal, spiritual time with the Lord thru His Word. The author speaks of taking the "word of life" that He (God) gives you through your daily "lectio" (devotional reading), and carrying this "word" (this can be literally a single word, or a phrase) throughout the day, to commune with our loving Father, one on one. "Receiving a word of life is the essence of Lectio Divina" he writes. "True lectio is taking what the Bible says, to heart."
Using lectio, one first reads (lectio), then reflects (meditates), then responds (prayer), then rests (contemplation) on the word or verse(s). All reading should end in an action taken for others' sakes. And in doing so, your life changes. I have done Bible study (INformational) for years...Lectio is TRANSformational, or spiritually formational...it's amazing...and this book is a great start, as well as researching Lectio Divina online. Receive, reflect, respond...but first, read this book!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Finding God in Scripture,
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This review is from: Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures (Paperback)
I think a lot of people, like me, would order and read this book simply because of the author. But, of all the books on lectio that I've read this was probably my least favorite. There are many other authors who give a much better explanation of lectio that is much more concise and relevant than this book. At times the book seemed to wander and I found references that did nothing to help me better appreciate this ancient prayer form. Basil Pennington has written far better books than this one.
6 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing,
This review is from: Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures (Paperback)
I find Thelma Hall's Too Deep for Words a much better short introduction to lectio divina.
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