Friday, July 9, 2010

How to do Lectio Divina in a Shared Community

I retrived this following information from a great website that I recommend that everyone visit and make use of. This is really great information for doing Lectio Divina alone or in a group.

http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html

Lectio Divina Shared in Community

(A) Listening for the Gentle Touch of Christ the Word (The Literal Sense)
1. One person reads aloud (twice) the passage of scripture, as others are attentive to some segment that is especially meaningful to them.
2. Silence for 1-2 minutes. Each hears and silently repeats a word or phrase that attracts.
3. Sharing aloud: [A word or phrase that has attracted each person]. A simple statement of one or a few words. No elaboration.
(B) How Christ the Word speaks to ME (The Allegorical Sense)
4. Second reading of same passage by another person.
5. Silence for 2-3 minutes. Reflect on "Where does the content of this reading touch my life today?"
6. Sharing aloud: Briefly: "I hear, I see..."
(C) What Christ the Word Invites me to DO (The Moral Sense)
7. Third reading by still another person.
8. Silence for 2-3 minutes. Reflect on "I believe that God wants me to . . . . . . today/this week."
9. Sharing aloud: at somewhat greater length the results of each one's reflection. [Be especially aware of what is shared by the person to your right.]
10. After full sharing, pray for the person to your right.
Note: Anyone may "pass" at any time. If instead of sharing with the group you prefer to pray silently , simply state this aloud and conclude your silent prayer with Amen.

Welcome to my blog

Part of my voyage into biblical study has been Lectio Divina. This has opened up a way for me to explore deeper than just reading passages. Having it read a few times through and contemplating on one word then one phrase and then what the reading is suggesting to ME what Christ is inviting me to do.

I have had a few sessions through the last couple years and each time I get a deepened sense of what God and Christ is expecting of me and what I can do better to make myself a better person and Christian in my daily life.

I will be posting my experiences and the readings themselves here so that you can follow along with me. Maybe we can all learn something and grow spiritually together!

In Christ,
Lee