Various plans for reading, studying, and praying with the scriptures. Lectio begins as a method of approaching scripture in order to listen to the word of god, seeking to encounter christ. Lectio divina is less a practice of just reading scripture and more one of listening to the inner. Father pennington explains the history of lectio, and brilliantly makes a number of suggestions of how those of us who are not monastics can use, and benefit from, lectio in our everyday lives. Renewing the ancient practice of reading the scriptures. A v ery a ncient art, practiced at one time by all christians, is the technique known as lectio divina a slow, contemplative praying of the scriptures which enables the bible, the word of god, to become a means of union with god. New practices have also been inspired by the ancient practice of lectio divina, such as praying the scriptures in common, which uses the scholastic form of lectio divina for a. Contemplation and action, introduced a modification of basil penningtons lectio divina. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures pennington, m. Lectio divina is a tool to slow us down, to help us focus our attention on the scriptural text, and to respond to the text prayerfully. During lectio divina, the practitioner listens to the text of the bible with the ear of the heart, as if he or she is in conversation with god, and god is suggesting the topics for discussion. It has been around almost as long as the church herself.
This resource provides an outline of lectio divina and some other guidance for praying with scripture using the imagination. Haskell, associate professor of biology and environmental science at the university of the south, in his course on food and hunger. Renewing the ancient practice of praying scriptures. Father pennington sets the process of praying the scriptures in the lectio divina is letting our divine friend speak to us through his inspired and inspiring word, according to m. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures see more. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures as want to read.
How to practice lectio divina the spiritual practice of lectio divina involves focusing in on what stands out to you and gathering new insight. Lectio divina is an ancient practice of listening deeply to the voice of god shimmering in sacred texts. With your feet flatly on the ground and the palms of your hands on. Lectio divina is not just a way of reading, but a form of prayer. Lectio divina, sometimes called spiritual reading, is a principal practice of camaldolese spirituality, if not a spirituality in itself. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders.
Prayer as a personal relationship, 1987, paulist press, nj isbn 0809129353. The classical practice of lectio divina can be divided into two forms. Lectio cultivates in us the ability to be fully present to the holy call which emerges from words. Today, lectio divina is practiced in monasteries and by laypeople around the world. Bible journaling as lectio divina the littlest way. A regular practice of lectio divina can help to deepen your relationship with the living god by.
Basil pennington b this practical guide book for todays christian describes the timetested method of praying with the scriptures for wisdom and guidance and joy. This method and discipline is universal in application and has been practiced by monastics and other christians for over a thousand years. M basil pennington this informative and practical guidebook for todays christian describes the timetested method of praying with the scriptures for wisdom and guidance and joy. Praying with scripture and lectio divina pathways to god.
The practice of lectio divina is currently very popular among catholics and gnostics, and is gaining acceptance as an integral part of the devotional practices. Lectio divina divine reading praying the scriptures with the mind of christ. Jan 02, 2020 the principles of lectio divina were expressed around the year 220 and later practiced by catholic monks, especially the monastic rules of sts. Benedict as he instructs his monks that there should be time for prayerful reading each day rsb 48. The word is very near you, a guide to praying with scripture. Lectio divina, or sacred reading, is reading the scriptures in a reflective and prayerful manner. Leonhardt explains these two forms of prayer for those new to the practices. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures by m. Lectio divina, meaning divine reading or sacred reading is an ancient practice of praying the holy scripture. It is a popular method of reading scripture and engaging in contemplative and meditative prayer. Lectio divina is an ancient practice from the christian contemplative heritage.
Thomas keatings open mind, open heart and learned about the prayer practice of lectio divina. Renewing ancient practice of praying in the scripture m ba pennington on. For the past two weeks weve been talking about reinterpreting and reimagining our daily lives, our stories, and our journeys through a particular lens. Basil pennington, the late priest, retreat master, and prominent lecturer in the centering prayer movement. We are often taught in churches to think through our.
The principles of lectio divina were expressed around the year 220 and later practiced by catholic monks, especially the monastic rules of sts. It is one of the best books i have ever read on this subject, ideal for scholar and and layman alike. As bible journaling has become more popular, id like to share how it fits so well with the ancient spiritual discipline of lectio divina. Aug 18, 2012 lectio divina is less a practice of just reading scripture and more one of listening to the inner. Basil pennington, the late priest, retreat master, and prominent lecturer in the. Lectio divina or holy reading or divine reading is a technique for reading scripture in this intentional and prayerful way. This ancient christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and. The first to use the expression lectio divina was origen circa 185254, who affirmed that to read the bible profitably it is necessary to do so with attention, constancy and prayer. This ancient practice has been kept alive in the christian monastic tradition, and is one of the precious. The discipline of lectio divina ross morgan introduction one of the pressing issues we face in pastoral ministry today is spiritual sustainability. Augustine of hippos phrase ever ancient, ever new describes the renewed interest in pray ing with scripture that has reemerged in todays. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures, 1998, crossroad publishing company, ny isbn 0824517369 barry, william a. Since then, its unique method of prayerfully engaging scripture, allowing it to come alive in practitioners lives today, has grown in popularity amongst religious institutions and lay people across traditions, becoming an ancient practice for our postmodern times.
This ancient practice has been kept alive in the christian monastic tradition, and is one of the precious treasures of benedictine monastics and oblates. Praying the scriptures so god can speak through you, langham global library, isbn 9781783688999. Its roots have been traced in judaism to the hebrew method. Lectio divina is letting our divine friend speak to us through his inspired and inspiring word, according to m. Lectio divina divine, or sacred, reading is the name given to a spiritual tradition among christians over. All reading should end in an action taken for others sakes. Or if you prefer a protestant orientation spiritual reading of scripture lectio divina is worth a read. One of the oldest monastic forms of prayer, this prayer can be traced back to the 4th and 5th century desert mothers and fathers and st. This ancient practice has been kept alive in the christian monastic tradition, and is one of the. Instead, its an approach that moves you out of your head and into your heart, into your soul, so that by the presence of the holy spirit, god will encounter you in a holy way. Lectio also involves our response to the word received, it is a twoway communication.
Departing somewhat more from the traditional form, david g. History of and books about lectio divina history of lectio divina. Renewing the ancient practice of praying with the scriptures by m basil pennington, father, ocso online at alibris. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures is likely your best choice i could recommend 6 or 8 more. As pennington is associated with centering prayer his lectio divina. In lectio divina we, too, heed that command and turn to the scriptures, knowing that we. The constant demands that pastoral ministry generates such as the need to bring a fresh word from god each. My seventh day adventist paternal grandmother was very faithful to reading the bible every day until cataracts dimmed her eyes so she could no. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures. M basil pennington this informative and practical guidebook for. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures isbn 0824517369. Since then, its unique method of prayerfully engaging scripture, allowing it to come alive in practitioners lives today, has grown in popularity amongst religious institutions and lay people across traditions, becoming an ancient practice for our. This ancient christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and fidelity.
Lectio divina is derived from a latin word that means holy reading. Using lectio, one first reads lectio, then reflects meditates, then responds prayer, then rests contemplation on the word or verses. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures lectio divina, a spiritual discipline practiced for more than a thousand years, has undergone a recent resurgence in popularity. Lectio divina and gospel contemplation are two ways to pray with scripture. Benedicts prayer with the scriptures lectio divina is devotional reading of scripture, followed by meditative consideration of the personal impact of that scripture, verbal response to the reading and meditation, and contemplative response through active or passive reception. Renewing ancient practice of praying in the scripture pennington, m ba on. Father pennington introduces the method of contemplative listening that opens us to an experience of gods presence through the sacred scriptures. Reading the biblical passages selected for the next sunday mass andor daily mass. Try the pray as you go imaginative contemplation exercises or listen to todays reflection you may also find our reflections on sunday readings useful. Renewing ancient practice of praying in the scripture. Lectio divina, meaning divine reading or sacred reading is an ancient practice. Mar 18, 2020 that all changed when i read trappist monk fr.
Lectio divina can be used with any scripture passage to make it come alive for the reader a way to delve deeper into. So, today lets consider bible journaling as lectio divina in my post, bible journaling in the new year i found this definition of lectio divina to share, lectio divina is simply the classical monastic practice of the prayerful reading of the bible. Benedict whose rule of life was largely influenced by the desert ascetics. It is an ancient method of slowly reading the scriptures in a repetitive fashion in order to encounter the presence of god. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures new york. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures at. Lectio divina is a practice of being present to each moment in a heartcentered way. The discipline of lectio divina ross morgan 2 au crucible 5. A good starting point is praying with scripture which is in one of the reading lists. The process of lectio divina a very ancient art, practiced at one time by all christians, is the technique known as lectio divina divine reading a slow, contemplative praying of the scriptures which enables the bible, the word of god, to become a means of union with god. True lectio is taking what the bible says, to heart.
Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures,by m. Lectio divina the center for contemplative mind in society. Receiving a word of life is the essence of lectio divina he writes. Lectio divina is an ancient practice used to meditate on passages in the bible.
Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures the book was received very quickly and in excellent condition. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures di pennington, m. It was made a regular practice in monasteries by the time of st benedict in the 6th century. Aug 01, 1998 this ancient christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and fidelity. Leading sheep to a new level of consciousness by wolf tracks blog. Lectio divina literally divine reading is a way of becoming immersed in the scriptures very personally. Lectio divina provides a good entree into contemplation. Lectio divina reading list contemplative outreach ltd. Lectio divina, literally meaning divine reading, is an ancient practice of praying the scriptures. The ancient practice of lectio is mentioned many times in the rule of st. Renewing the ancient practice of praying the scriptures 9780824517366 by m.
1549 799 688 1380 123 238 731 433 743 1611 1297 1518 82 324 408 772 521 1637 294 898 395 1022 61 1607 105 631 1590 1227 832 859 676 93 181 235 840 7 183 986 734 538 586 47