We all have family traditions. But one pre-eminent, and often forgotten, Christian family tradition is that of praying together as a family. We have heard of the famous saying, “A family that prays together stays together.” In this short article, I would also like to add another aspect to that saying, namely “A Family that reads and prays the Word of God together stays together.”
 
The psalmist writes: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119. 105) St Jerome, the great biblical scholar of the early Church wrote: “Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” (Saint Jerome)
 
In this short article, I am delighted to present to you a classic, but very simple, method of reading the Scriptures, our Bible, the Word of God. It is called “Lectio Divina.” I myself have used this clear and simple method and it has spiritually nourished me in incredibly deep and fruitful ways. I assure you that you will not regret if you make this method the daily habit of reading the Bible! It might take a while to become a habit but once it has become so, your life will take on a texture, hue and depth that will dazzle your soul and nourish your life in every way!
 
“Lectio Divina” is a Benedictine Spiritual Tradition: “Lectio Divina” in Latin means “divine reading”, spiritual reading, or holy reading, and represents a very traditional, but hugely relevant, Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote your communion with God and to increase your knowledge of God’s Word. The document Dei Verbum (The Word of God) of the Vatican II Ecumenical Council states: “The diligent reading of sacred scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart.” If effectively promoted, I’m absolutely convinced, this practice could bring to the Church as the People of God a new spiritual springtime.

The four simple step by step stages of “Lectio Divina” (Divine/Holy Reading) of the Bible are the following: (Why not love to have a steaming cup of coffee or tea at your side, in your special space, as you spend this special time with God and His Word?)

1. Step 1: “LECTIO” (READ): In this first step you read the particular text of the Bible that you have selected or are given. You might, for example, select a text from one of the four gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. “Lectio” means slow, careful, reverent (even repeated) “reading” of the suggested biblical text, dwelling on the meaning of every word. It is like you taste the words, dwell on them and try to understand the words of the text, allowing the words, sort of, to speak to you.
2. Step 2: “MEDITATIO” (REFLECT): This step means “entering/reflecting” into the truth of the words in the text that you are reading by mentally and spiritually, sort of, chewing the word. It is reflecting calmly and deeply on the words you have read. What does the text say ? What does it mean to me in my life today?
3. Step 3: “ORATIO” (PRAY): This third step means “praying” to God – using the words which comes from your heart after the meditation and reflection. Your prayer could be one of adoration, thanksgiving, repentance or petition. Talk to Jesus, the Living Word. What do you want to tell God in your prayer? What does the text want you to say in prayer?
4. Step 4: “CONTEMPLATIO” (CONTEMPLATE): This fourth step means “listening” in your heart as you contemplate what Jesus might be saying to your heart, about his word and about your life. It is listening silently to Gods in the quiet sanctuary of your heart. Stay still and relaxed, allowing God’s Spirit to speak to your heart and gently listening to what he is telling you.
5. Step 5: “ACTIO” (ACT): The Latin word of this fifth step means “acting” on the word or living the word. St James writes in his epistle that “faith without works is dead” (James 2.17). It is, therefore, making fruitful in our lives what the Word has taught us. It is resolving on how you will live out God’s message that you have heard in your heart with a concrete plan of action – simple, doable, practical, meaningful etc. It is responding to the Word in action in your life. What does the text want me to do in my life today?

The following words of Jesus can inspire you to use the “Lectio Divina” method of reading the Bible and growing in your faith in the Lord.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” (John 15. 7)

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14. 13)

These are incredibly great promises. What more do we need? The Word of God leads us to fullness of life in Jesus Christ. Reading the Scriptures enables us to encounter Jesus Christ personally in the quietness of our heart or our private space, whatever that be. As John writes in his gospel: “The Word made flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1. 14)

Jesus spoke in the synagogue in Nazareth as the evangelist Luke writes: “Today the Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4. 21). Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of the Scriptures and allow me to assure you, from my own personal experience, you can encounter Jesus in your heart and life as you read and feed on his word. Do you love him enough so as to be nourished daily in his Word which are words of life?

Why not use this very simple, but classic, Bible reading method “Lectio Divina” from today? I myself, or any of the Ministry Team of the Benefice (see contact details in the “Village Voices”), would be delighted to assist you if we can. It is definitely never too late to start a spiritual, biblical renewal in your life as a follower of Jesus. It might mean faltering steps initially but once you have made “Lectio Divina” (“Divine/Holy/Spiritual Reading”) into a habit, your life will change dramatically in every way – and for the better! I fully trust this methodology of Bible Reading and very warmly recommend the practice to you!

Summer isn’t over – enjoy the rest of this lovely time of the year!

Fr Sebastian on behalf of the Ministry Team

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash