Lectio Divina: Encountering God through Scripture
By FATHER TOMY PHILIP, SAC
Special to Catholic Times

The Word of God is a treasure — a source of joy, spiritual sustenance, and guidance that draws us closer to God. Reflecting on the Scriptures nourishes us spiritually, deepens our relationship with God, and directs us to live according to His will.

The Scriptures are not merely a collection of ancient writings; they point us to Jesus, the living Word. To understand the Bible fully is to recognize that its fulfilment is found in Christ. When we engage with Scripture, we do more than learn about history or doctrine, we encounter Jesus Himself, the key to unlocking the meaning of every passage.

A prayerful approach to Scripture

To allow the Word of God to transform us, we must approach it prayerfully. One of the most effective ways to engage with Scripture is through Lectio Divina, a centuries old practice of prayerfully reading and meditating on Scripture to deepen one’s relationship with God. It is a slow, contemplative way of engaging with the Word of God. Lectio Divina is not about analyzing Scripture academically but about opening oneself to hear God’s voice through His Word.

Henri Nouwen describes Lectio Divina as “the ancient monastic practice of reading Scripture meditatively — not to master the word, not to criticize the word, but to be mastered by and challenged by the word. It means to read the Bible ‘on your knees,’ that is, reverently, attentively, and with deep conviction that God has a unique word for you in your own situation” (Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Living Walk of Faith, p. 91).

Pope Benedict XVI referred to Lectio Divina as a spiritual springtime for the modern world, recommending it as a timeless tool for spiritual growth. Through prayerful reading, we open our hearts to hear God’s voice (Cf. Address to Participants in the International Congress on Dei Verbum, 16 September 2005). Pope Francis also emphasized its importance, calling it an indispensable means of spiritual development: “The prayerful reading of the sacred text will help support and strengthen the spiritual life” (Misericordia et Misera, 20 November 2016, No. 7).

How to do Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina traditionally consists of four steps: lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio. Each step builds upon the previous one, creating a cohesive journey of prayerful engagement with Scripture.

1. Lectio (reading): Read a passage of Scripture slowly and attentively, paying attention to words or phrases that stand out or resonate with you. “Lectio” means reading, specifically a prayerful reading, that seeks to uncover the literal sense of the passage. Pope Benedict XVI emphasizes the importance of understanding the text’s true content: “What does the biblical text say in itself?” Without this, there is always a risk that the text will become a pretext for never moving beyond our own ideas” (Verbum Domini, No. 87). Instead of hurrying up to go to the second step, the reader needs to take time to understand the actual meaning that the passage conveys. Pope Francis adds, “The spiritual reading of a text must start with its literal sense. Otherwise, we can easily make the text say what we think is convenient” (Evangelii Gaudium, No. 152). Taking time to grasp the text’s meaning ensures a solid foundation for deeper reflection.
2. Meditatio (meditation): Reflect on the meaning of the passage and how it applies to your life. Let the Word of God speak personally to your heart. Meditation involves reflecting on the passage to discern its message. Pope Benedict XVI describes this step as asking, “What does the biblical text say to us? Here, each person, individually but also as a member of the community, must let himself or herself be moved and challenged” (Verbum Domini, No. 87). Nouwen explains, “Meditation means to let the word descend from our minds into our hearts and thus become enfleshed” (Spiritual Direction, p. XVIII). In this step, we internalize the text and allow it to resonate with our lives.
3. Oratio (prayer): Oratio is our response to God’s Word through prayer. It is the primary way by which the Word transforms us. Share your thoughts, feelings, and desires with God based on what you have meditated on. Pope Benedict XVI notes, “prayer, as petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise, is the primary way by which the word transforms us” (Verbum Domini, No. 87). Michael Casey underscores the role of prayer in Lectio Divina: “Prayer is not suddenly born at the third stage. Rather, prayer accompanies us as we open the book … .Prayer is the meaning of Lectio Divina” (Sacred Reading, p. 61). Whether the passage calls for repentance, thanksgiving, or praise, our prayer should align with its message.
4. Contemplatio (contemplation): Contemplation seeks to discern what God is specifically saying to us and invites us to see reality as God sees it. Rest quietly in God’s presence, allowing Him to work within you without words or effort. It is a time of silent communion with God. Pope Benedict XVI explained the core of this step: “Finally, Lectio Divina concludes with contemplation (contemplatio), during which we take up, as a gift from God, His own way of seeing and judging reality, and ask ourselves what conversion of mind, heart and life is the Lord asking of us? In the Letter to the Romans, Saint Paul tells us: ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect’” (12:2). Contemplation aims at creating within us a truly wise and discerning vision of reality, as God sees it, and at forming within us “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16). The word of God appears here as a criterion for discernment: It is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12) (Verbum Domini, No. 87).

Through contemplation, we allow the Word to transform our minds and hearts, fostering a discerning vision of life grounded in God’s perspective.

The interconnection of these steps is essential. Reading without meditation is dry, meditation without reading is subject to error, prayer without meditation is lukewarm, and meditation without prayer is fruitless. Just as fervent prayers bring to contemplation, the gift of contemplation without prayer happens rarely and miraculously. Thus, all these four classical steps of Lectio Divina proceed from each other and forms one single unit. It bears fruit only if it helps us to shed our spiritual resistance allowing God to change our lives. 

Dispositions for Lectio Divina

For Lectio Divina to bear fruit, certain spiritual dispositions are necessary:

1. Silent listening: A peaceful atmosphere enhances concentration and interior calm.
2. Faith: Belief in the authenticity of God’s Word is crucial. The Scriptures are not mere texts; they are the Word Incarnate (Cf. 2 Tim 3:16; Heb 1:2).
3. Communion with the Church: Recognize that the Word of God is transmitted through the Church and forms the foundation of liturgical acts (Cf. Lk 7:16).
4. Open-mindedness: A pure and humble heart is essential for receiving God’s message (Cf. Ps 51:10).
5. Active listening: Be willing to be guided by the Word and conform to it (Cf. Col 3:16).
6. Prayer to the Holy Spirit: Seek the Spirit’s guidance to live according to God’s Word. St. Benedict’s Rule reminds us to begin every good work with prayer (The Rule of St. Benedict, p. 159).

Conclusion

Lectio Divina requires training and guidance. Simply handing someone a Bible is insufficient; they must be taught how to listen to God through Scripture. Nouwen observes that through this practice, “we develop an inner ear that allows us to recognize the Living Word in the written word” (Spiritual Direction, p. 91). This recognition inspires us to bear witness and act.

Ultimately, Lectio Divina should lead to action (actio). Pope Benedict XVI affirmed, “The process of Lectio Divina is not concluded until it arrives at action … which moves the believer to make his or her life a gift for others in charity” (Verbum Domini, No. 87). As we encounter God through Scripture, may we rise to the needs of others, living out the     and embodying the love of Christ in the world.

Father Tomy Philip SAC, is parochial administrator at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Newton and St. Mary of the Assumption in Sainte Marie.