Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina (Paperback)

~ (Author) "When Saint Benedict compiled his Rule for monasteries in the first part of the sixth century, he made provision for each monk to spend several..." (more)
Key Phrases: Saint Benedict, New Testament, Fathers of the Church (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Michael Casey, prior of the Cistercian abbey of Tarrawarra in Victoria, Australia, places the practice of lectio divina near the heart of the Benedictine tradition. Although this is not a "cookbook," it is a practical guide as well as a theological and historical introduction. For Casey, lectio divina is a spiritual discipline with particular relevance to an age marked by individualism and resistance to discipline. Readers will find his application of traditional imagery of a spiral journey into the depths of Scripture particularly illuminating as a guide to reading sacred texts. That a spiral journey is marked by repetition leads Casey to remark that "there is a kind of monotony that is not boredom but paves the way to a more profound experience." This is reminiscent of advice from Zen tradition: if you find something boring after a minute, do it for two; if you find it boring after two minutes, do it for four. "Enlightenment," Casey writes, "comes not by increasing the level of excitement, but by moving more deeply into calm." Readers will find this book a most helpful companion in making that move. Steve Schroeder

Product Description

This work offers a bold and engaging examination of the Western tradition of lectio divin, the contemplative approach to sacred writings, notably the Bible and the Spiritual classics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Liguori Publications (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892438916
• ISBN-13: 978-0892438914
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,904 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Companion to the Scriptures and Church Fathers, March 15, 2004

By	Gerald J. Nora - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent choice, October 26, 2000

By	"janmcalex" (Humboldt, TN United States) - See all my reviews

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.

35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, December 30, 1999

By	LauraMH "LauraMH" (PA, United States) - See all my reviews

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.