Customer Reviews

Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina

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I read this book during the first two weeks of Lent, and it has born fruit in helping me read Scripture more reverently.

Fr. Casey starts by contrasting modern literacy with the monastic experience: we are surrounded by words (e.g., wander around the immensity of Amazon's website!) and much of the content is in soundbites. We get quick news summaries, advertisements, and so forth, which can be often read in a few minutes or less. Medieval monasteries would often only have a relative handful of books, which were often hand-copied over a period of years. If the monastery were to get a new book, it had to be for the ages, of great importance.

Fr. Casey is quite balanced in that he does not suggest that the Medieval times were necessarily balanced--he is just as happy for modern ages as anyone--but says that we can learn from this older, slower way of reading. Following this perspective, he takes us through the discipline of lectio divina, "sacred reading", and the pattern of slow, reflective reading.

The book challenges, as Casey is supportive of St. Benedict's maxim that once you select a book for lectio divina, that you follow through till the end, and not switch books in the middle. This is to respect that Biblical texts are often structured in unfamiliar ways, and the full meaning does not come out till you finish the book. It is also to stay humble: we are not going to cut off God's word when it is convenient, but let it take us where it wants while we journey with a particular book of Scripture.

That said, there is an entire chapter on various distractions and barriers that people may encounter while prayerfully reading Scripture--Fr. Casey is clear that this book is not Gospel itself, and that different people will need to adapt his ideas to their own lives. Like a good athletic training, he wants us to push ourselves and grow, but does take into account individual circumstances and limitations.

Casey gives a number of references for good study Bible editions and other English-language books and commentaries, giving one some concrete starting positions as well as good general advice.

On the whole, I found him a very balanced, friendly guide, and recommend this to people who want to read the Bible more deeply and prayerfully.

I have underlined half of the words in this book! It was very readable, pertinent and usable as a guide to strengthening my connection with God and his Holy Word. Casey offers a very interesting history of lectio divina; however, practicality is what sparkles in this book. No longer intimidating, lectio divina will henceforth be practiced in my home.

An outstanding book--the single best book on lectio that I have ever read or used. I recommend it highly.

Update: this review was originally written in 1999. Five years later, I still haven't changed my mind, and use it as a textbook for my classes on the Benedictine Way.

Having read a few books on Lectio Divina I looked at my book case where "Sacred Reading" by Michael Casey waited to be read and almost decided against taking it up at the time. I knew that the author was a noteworthy man, and I considered maybe there was something offered here that I needed to know. Afterall, despite my thought that I knew it all, I really had a greater suspicion that I did not.

Fortunately, I did read with diligence the paperback whose full title is "Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina," published by Liguori/Triumph. One thing the book explained was the value of using Lectio as a means of reading texts other than the Bible. It said the Fathers were a good source for this. I had not thought such all right to do, but had in my mind that only the Bible could be read. The title of the book, and its content, in meaning, broadens the approach to sacred reading, including other texts. I found this helpful, and personally broadening. In fact, I had some relief since I did want to do this kind of reading with other texts--but thought it inappropriate to the Godly.

Another thing about this book, it is on my reading list for Oblates, which was changed just after I spent ten years reading the old list. Now I am almost at the end, and this book comes at the end of reading the books on the list. I am pleased to see that it did refresh me.

I liked how it is helpful with The Rule of St. Benedict. In the Preface, it says, "You will find in this book many references to Saint Benedict's Rule for monasteries and to other classical works of the monastic tradition." This is a reliable book for those inclined to The Rule, and to "The Spirit of Monastic Lectio."

Beyond such ambitions, the book is useful to anyone wanting to develop an advanced spiritual reading practice, which can be just 30 minutes a day. The benefits for a lifetime of such reading is worth the daily effort, that provides much prayer like reward and relationship with God. The author offers such as part of his teachings. For this is a book of teachings.

The book reads well, and I liked the instruction to stay with a "...single book..." which the writer says "...is not only an exercise in personal discipline; it is a condition for approaching lectio divina with an appropriate attitude." This is a useful thing to learn, and I thought this is a good way to read Jeremiah. I have wanted to delve further into that book of The Old Testament.

Because I am over 55 years old, this statement from the book was useful to me, even though the kind of maturity it refers to is not necessarily that of age. For me, it introduced the idea of growing in maturity at this time in my life: The author Michael Casey writes, "I consider that lectio divina is an important component of the mature and active years of the spiritual life; its absence diminishes the vitality of these years and may eventually lead to shipwreck."

I believe these promises, for in a way of reading the book my consideration of the contexts and attitudes of the author were ones providing a promise. I believed that what he said was of value, and that if one followed or even began the process of lectio as I knew it from previous books, and as I say certainly from this one, that there is the reward. Here is another quote, a quote from the author's of another writer named Abbot Chapman of Downside, that continues this element of promise:

"The only way to pray is to pray; and the way to pray well is to pray much. If one has no time for this, then one must at least pray regularly. But the less one prays the worse it goes." Again, the ring of truth.

Author and monk Michael Casey says that there is a theology to lectio divina. Here is a valuable statement about the relationship such reading means for ones relationship with the Church. (Though I am not Catholic as in Roman Catholic, I found this a telling matter that touched on my desire to have a more full relationship in my own Church.) "This is why an important part of our review of the theology that grounds the practice of lectio must ... recall the intrinsic relationship that exists between the Bible and the Church." Put with pith: "Mutuality exists between the Church and sacred Scripture."

Michael Casey covers the bases, as you see.

If you as a reader of this review have an interest in the Holy, for your life and in a means of understanding, this book leads to living that understanding and way of living a Holy life. For me, this means being in relationship with God, having a prayer practice, being in touch with and better finding the richness of Church, and certainly knowing that we find a Christian life in community. The writer's response on motivation for lectio: "I hope to find God in my reading."

In a literal way, and I want to again quote from the book to give the reader of this review a sense of the book's language...in a literal way, "Lectio divina leads to a conscious endeavor to live in accordances with the Gospels." Could it be any better for those with this desire.

A reader interested in knowing what to bring to this kind of reading is led with the thoughts that we bring our personal salvation history, recent experience, overt faith and obedience. These are good practices, and from previous reading I know that they are good things to work with in ones life when bringing one into better understanding of and relationship with God. For me, this was a major thought in the book and I think an important goal for the purposes of the book.

Suffice it to say, I have not covered all that is important in this useful, illuminating, and enjoyable "Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina." I notice that the publisher is in Missouri, and from the back cover that the author is an Australian monk (Cistercian) and an Abbot. Though I haven't read the book that is recommended by the publisher of this title, I have read the work by Thelma Hall and it is recommended by the bookseller Amazon.com as a companion. I can say the Thelma Hall book is excellent and inspirational. It was the first book I read on Lectio Divina. You as a reader who seeks God and wishes to know prayer through relationship with sacred texts will find this book useful and enjoyable. You won't be sorry to read it, there is much that the book tells.
By the way, the publisher of the book recommends as its companion, "Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer." A book by Michael Casey.

Peter Menkin--Pentecost

Father Casey's book is a thorough and scholarly walk through the history and contemporary significance of the practice of Lection Divina; almost too much so for the beginner who wishes to learn how to incorporate the practice into his/her prayer or meditation. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good treatise on the subject, albeit perhaps a little too regimented and "monastic" for me... for instance, his insistance that the practitioner of Lectio work their way slowly through one biblical book rather than attempt to target meaningful texts, strikes me as a little over-controlling; applicable to a serious monastic maybe, but for us regular folks who are just interested in deepening our practice, a gentler technique may be just as useful. A great book for beginning inquiry into Lectio is S. Thelma Hall's "Too Deep For Words"; then tackle this book as you investigate more deeply.

Michael Casey is a great resource for any of us who are feeling the need to regroup spiritually. He takes the common dicipline of spiritual reading and breathes new understanding in it through the reintroduction of the Western Fathers and their thoughts. As a protestant evangelical with a mystical bent, I was very pleased with ecumenism that is prevalent throughout, and yet never at the cost of a true spirituality that is centered on the person of Jesus Christ and the scriptures that reveal Him. As a neo-pentecostal, I was also pleased with the openess Casey's approach has towards a contemporary moving of the Spirit in an individuals life or relationship with God.

The author (an Australian Cistercian monk) defines lectio divina as "a technique of prayer and a guide to living", a "means of descending to the level of the heart and of finding God" (p. vi). The book is divided into five chapters, accompanied by a survey of the existing literature, a personal reading list, and a helpful appendix with a statistical breakdown of the frequency of major patristic authors in the Roman Breviary and the Catechism. (No wonder Augustine is by far the most often cited Father in both.) In the first chapter, the virtue of staying with a single book of the Bible (the monastic practice of lectio continua) is extolled by comparison with other approaches (such as "cutting the Bible" or grazing). The author then examines external and internal difficulties a beginner has to overcome in engaging fruitfully in lectio divina. The illustration, in chapter 3, of the four senses of Scripture allows then the author to summarize, in a useful chart (p. 57), the four moments of lectio divina: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. Chapter 4 mirrors chapter 2 in that, while this latter chapter had discussed the theological basis of lectio divina, chapter 4 provides concrete tips for its practice. Avoiding inner noise (p. 94) and striving towards singleness of heart (p. 97) are especially valuable for the contemporary reader. Finally, in chapter 5, the author discusses the application of lectio divina beyond Scripture, most notably to the Church's Fathers, with a thought-provoking summary discussion of Plato's influence on many aspects of the Father's spiritual reflection. The endnotes display the author's solid theological background, which accounts for the persuasive force of many of his remarks. The missing star is due to a couple of concessions to political correctness, such as endnote 1 on p. 148, where the author notes "with regret" that almost all patristic writers are "Fathers" and not "Mothers". This is a historical fact: what is there to regret about it?!

This is simply the most helpful and the most theologically deep book I have read on the topic of Lectio or Contemplative Bible Reading. An incredibly high view of scripture and very helpful discussion of the process and techniques for those who are serious about going deeper.

michael casey is among the best to talk about the subject of lectio divina or sacred reading. he brings out the best of the ancients but also imparts new understanding from his own wisdom.

This should be the number one "go to" guide for learning the ancient practice of lectio divina. Why? Casey gets to the point about what true lectio divina practice involves, the difficulties in sustaining a true practice, and how to maintain a regular practice that will promote spiritual transformation. As Casey says, authentic lectio divina is a direct encounter with God's Word, not a whimsical search for good advice or inspiring anecdotes. There's any number of "feel good" books on the market if that's what you're after. Rather, authentic lectio is literally stepping into world of Spirit where self-honesty and surrender are everything.