Soul Training
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SOUL TRAINING
Lectio Divina
The spiritual exercise for this week is called lectio divina, which is a Latin term literally meaning “divine reading.” It is a method of reading the Bible that involves listening with the heart. It’s an ancient practice that goes all the way back to the Hebraic tradition of the Shema, which involved reading select passages of the Hebrew Bible9 with specific pauses and concentration on certain words. Lectio divina was practiced in a communal way by Christians in the early church and was later taught by the desert fathers and mothers with an emphasis on the individual.
In lectio divina we turn to a passage of the Bible—usually no more than a few verses—and read it over and over, very slowly, reflecting on each word and phrase, all the while paying attention to the impact the words have on our hearts. In this way we are “praying the Scriptures.” It is very different from studying Scripture, in which we come to the text to try to understand its meaning. In lectio divina, the Bible passage “studies us.”
HOW TO PRACTICE LECTIO DIVINA
1. First, select a passage of the Bible. In this specific exercise, I have chosen 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV)
2. Spend a minute or two just relaxing and breathing deeply.
3. First reading. Read the passage through, one time, slowly. Pause between each clause (for example, “Love is patient,” [pause] “Love is kind,” [pause] . . .). After you finish this first reading, be silent for a minute or two.
4. Second reading. Read the text slowly once again, pausing between phrases. But this time pause even longer and be aware if any of the words or phrases catch your attention, or seem to stand out in some way. Make a mental note of those. After you finish the second reading, write down those special words or phrases.
5. Third reading. Reread the passage up to the word or phrase that touched you in some way. When you reach that word or phrase, stop and repeat it a few times.
6. Pondering. Reflect for a while on the phrase that moved you. Repeat it a few more times. Let the words interact with your thoughts, your memories or any other Bible passages that come to mind. Let it touch your heart, desires and fears. Begin to wonder, What might God want to say to me specifically?
7. Prayer. Turn that last question into a prayer, asking God, “What is the word you have for me in this passage, God? Is there anything you want to say to me today?” Listen. Write down anything you sense God might be saying to you.
8. Rest. Be still and silent for a while. Enjoy being in the presence of God. In this step you move from doing to being. Simply be for a while.
9. Response. Ask yourself and God, What am I being called to do as a result of the word I have been given? Perhaps you are feeling challenged to love God more, or to accept some aspect of who you are, or to serve someone you know, or to begin changing some aspect of your character. Whatever it is, write it out. “Today God is calling me to be a more patient person. Be with me God, and teach me how.” Thank God for the word and the calling you have been given.
*Read the following section only after you have completed the exercise.
CONNECTING WITH JESUS’ NARRATIVE
Lectio divina is a very personal activity, so I cannot predict exactly what you will experience, nor should I. I imagine God had a specific word just for you. However, the passage I have chosen for you deals specifically with love. First Corinthians 13:4-8 is well known because it is read at many weddings. The context of the passage is not about the love between a husband and a wife (though that fits!), but rather Paul is writing about how to live together in Christian community. The central point is that love is at the core of our life together. Elsewhere we read that we ought to love one another as God has loved us (1 John 4:11).
We also read that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). As with the Herbert poem, it is possible to insert God for the word love in the passage from 1 Corinthians.
God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud. God is not rude, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. God never fails.
You might enjoy reading over this passage a few times this week. I have said in this chapter that God is love, but often we don’t know what that means. This passage explains what true love is.
ADDITIONAL EXERCISE: REFLECTING ON THE POEM
If the subject of God’s unconditional love is something you have wrestled with, you may also want to go back to the Herbert poem and reflect some more on it. Read it over slowly and reflect on some of the images Herbert offers (for example, “quick-ey’d love”) and try to picture them with your mind’s eye.
FOR REFLECTION
Whether you are going through this material alone or with others, the following questions might be helpful as you reflect on your experience. Either way, it might be a good idea to answer these questions in your journal. If you are meeting with a group, bring your journal with you to help you remember your insights as you share your experiences.
1. Were you able to do the lectio divina exercise? If so, describe how it went and how you felt about it.
2. What, if anything, did you learn about God or yourself through the exercise?
3. What was your favorite line in the poem “Love (III)”? Explain why.