“Not even the power of death, fear, or darkness will win against what I am building — in the Church and in you.”
Lectio divina, meaning "sacred reading" or "divine reading" in Latin, is a prayerful method of reading and reflecting on scripture, often used in monastic traditions, to deepen one's relationship with God. It involves four distinct steps: reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation
1. Lectio (Reading): This first step involves slowly and deliberately reading a passage of scripture, paying attention to the words and allowing them to resonate. The goal is to engage with the text in a way that goes beyond simply understanding the meaning, and instead allows the words to speak to the heart and mind.
2. Meditatio (Meditation): After reading, the focus shifts to reflecting on the passage, pondering its meaning and implications for one's life. This step encourages a deeper understanding of the text and how it relates to one's personal experiences and challenges.
​3. Oratio (Prayer): In this step, one engages in a conversation with God, expressing gratitude, asking for guidance, or responding to the insights gained from the previous steps. Prayer can take many forms, including spoken prayer, silent prayer, or a combination of both.
4. Contemplatio (Contemplation): The final step is one of quiet resting in God's presence, allowing the Word to dwell within and transform the heart. This can be a time of silence and stillness, where one simply allows God to work in one's soul.
