What is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina (Latin for “Divine Reading”) is a practice that has been observed by monastic communities over many centuries.  It connotes the reading of scripture not so much for the purpose of study but rather as a form of meditation or reflection.  It is particularly effective when shared by a community of persons.

In Metanoia Peace community we have settled on our particular version of the practice which proceeds as follows:

1.    First the scripture passage is read aloud by the leader while the others in the group read from their own individual Bible.  Then after a period of silence, participants are encouraged to simply repeat aloud a verse, phrase or perhaps just a single word from the passage that aroused their interest.

2.    Then the passage is read aloud a second time followed by silence after which individuals are invited to say what they hear God’s Spirit speaking to them personally, and/or to all who are gathered, at this particular moment in time.  It is important to understand that this practice is not the same as Bible study as we usually think of it.  That is to say, we are not primarily or particularly interested in the authorship, or the context, or what others have written about the passage we have just read. And we are not interested is debating about the “correct” meaning of the text.  We just let the words and the comments from other participants wash over us, as we experience a collective, spirit-led reading of the text.

3.    Finally the entire passage is read a third time.  Then, after more silence, participants who wish to do so are invite to share how the scripture passage that they have just heard through though this collective process will change or reinforce or otherwise guide the direction of their discipleship in the days ahead.

It is not unusual for a participant to report that approaching a particular scripture passage in this way allowed the Spirit to point them in a direction that they had never contemplated before even though it was a passage that they had read and/or heard read many times before.  For example one wondered if, in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14ff), Jesus was inviting us to emulate the third servant who did not steal anything from his wealthy master, but who, unlike the first two servants, also chose not participate in the wealthy master’s greedy attempts to increase his wealth without working for it (called usury, and forbidden in Hebrew law.)

Peace House offers time-tested resource to other congregations

For the past 35 years, residents of The Peace House and other members of Metanoia Peace  Community UMC have gathered in the Peace House living room early every morning—six days a week—for morning prayer and “lectio divina” (scripture meditation).  For us this daily practice, unusual in this day when most Christians are accustomed to gathering only weekly, is reminiscent of the life of the earliest followers of the Risen Christ, in the “church before Christianity” as described in the New Testament book of The Acts of the Apostles.

Those who have adopted this daily practice heartily recommend it to others. The Metanoia congregation is prepared to provide free resources to persons who feel called to create a small group and give this daily experience a try in a small group with others in their congregation or even a different group of close friends.

For more information about this Peace House offer click on the following link: www.thepeacehouse.org/daybyday