Lectio Divina for Young People

Lectio Divina

The practice used for 1500 years in the monastic movements of Christianity is called Lectio Divina, or Sacred Reading. Devised by St Benedict, it involves reading, but more importantly, listening with the “ear of your heart” to a passage of scripture until a word or phrase strikes you. That word or phrase then becomes the object of meditation: to be used as a mantra or as a means of an interior dialogue as to what it is saying to you in your time and place. One’s meditation on the word or phrase ends with a prayer. Read, Read again and Reflect; Read again and Respond; Read again and Rest.

Steps for Lectio Divina

1. Assume the posture for meditation. (Sitting upright; feet on the floor; body relaxed and comfortable)
2. Begin to regulate your breathing to slow your metabolism and empty your mind of distracting thoughts.
3. Recite your mantra prayer: Maranatha (“Come Lord Jesus”); or “Speak to me, Word of God”; “Speak Lord, I am listening”; or one of your own.
4. When you are ready, either listen to, or read a chosen text from the Sacred Scriptures. This should not be long - a short paragraph is best. Read it (or have it read to you) slowly, pausing slightly at the end of each sentence. Listen for a word or phrase that stands out for you today.
5. After a short pause, listen to or read the passage again, this time locating the word or phrase you chose in the first reading of the text within the story or teaching. At the end of the second reading, think about your word or phrase and why it may have stood out for you at this moment in your life. Is it saying something to you? Is there something you need to do or change or consider? Listen to what the passage is saying to your heart: do you need to respond in love, or compassion, or empathy?
6. Listen to the passage again, and at the end of the reading respond to what it may be saying to you. Will you act or not on what you have thought about? Is there anything you can do? Ask for God’s help and the courage of the Holy Spirit to do what is best.
7. For the last time, read or listen to the passage and at the end, rest in silence. Return to your breathing and your mantra for a few minutes, clearing your mind of all thoughts. You may wish to turn the word or phrase you have been reflecting on into a mantra.
8. At the end of the meditation, you might like to spend a few minutes journaling whatever comes to mind, or walk a labyrinth, reflecting on the experience, or noting any reflections or responses you had to the text. You may wish to write a prayer to use on other occasions, or even construct a mantra from the word or phrase you heard today with the ear of your heart.