Lectio Divina

The practice of lectio can lead seamlessly into the practice of quiet prayer.

LECTIO (Reading)

Read a very short passage of Scripture aloud,
slowly and attentively

• Sit quietly for a moment.
•  Retell the passage accurately, each person repeating a word or phrase from the passage until it has been retold.
• Listen in silence for a minute or two.

MEDITATIO (Meditation)
Chew the food; friendliness

• Read the selected passage aloud again.
• In silence, let Jesus speak to each person about the
  meaning of the passage for him or her, or its
  meaning in today’s world for three or four minutes.
• Share aloud the insights received.
• Reflect on the insights in silence for another three
  or four minutes.
• ORATIO (Prayer)
  Swallow the food; friendship
   Read the passage of Sacred Scripture aloud a third
  time, slowly and attentively.
   In silence, ask, “What response does this passage
  of Scripture call forth from me to God?”
   Make the response from your heart.
   Spontaneous prayers may be spoken.
   Pray in silence for about five minutes.
  CONTEMPLATIO (Contemplation)
  Taste the fullness of the Word; union of life
   Read the short passage a final time.
   Rest in the presence of the Word, allowing the
  Holy Spirit to speak to your deepest self in and
  through the silence, for another five minutes.