Soaking in Scripture

Blog by Gem Fadling

Many of you have likely heard of a way of engaging scripture called Lectio Divina. It is a kind of “Divine Reading.” What I love about Lectio Divina is that it is a slow and formational way of engaging the Bible. It can help us move from our heads to our hearts. Lectio Divina is reflective, meditative, receptive, and responsive.

The four movements of Lectio Divina are: 

• Read (Lectio)
• Reflect (Meditatio)
• Respond (Oratio)
• Rest (Contemplatio)

With Lectio Divina, rather than gathering information, we seek to allow God to meet us in our hearts and minds in a spirit of transformation. We allow ourselves to sink into the passage…to linger…to think, yes, but also to feel and to experience.

Let’s begin with a little “Lectio 101,” and then I will walk you through the practice using Psalm 73:23-26.

First, choose a brief passage of scripture. A portion of a psalm is a great place to begin. Then make your way through the four movements of Lectio Divina.

Read (Lectio)

Read the scripture aloud once through without stopping. Take time to listen. Notice a phrase or two. Underline it or write it down if you like.

Reflect (Meditatio)

Read the scripture aloud a second time. Notice anything new that captures your attention. Or maybe your underlined phrase remains your focus. Allow it to soak in a bit. Chew on it for a few moments in the same way you would savor your favorite meal.  

Respond (Oratio)

Read the scripture aloud a third time. Notice what happens in your heart as you read. What do you feel? What desires, questions, or requests emerge? Allow a prayer to bubble up from inside. Respond naturally to the passage in the context of relationship with God.

Rest (Contemplatio)

Take a few moments to be with God. Rest in God’s loving presence. No agenda. Just relationship. Let God enjoy your presence as you enjoy God’s.

Remember to take your time with this. Give yourself space to breathe between each movement.

The essence of Lectio Divina is to allow ourselves to be seen by God through the scriptures and then to respond by offering ourselves back to God, who is love.

Practice

So, with that brief Lectio Divina primer, let’s try it on together with Psalm 73:23-26 as our focus. Read the passage three times and make your way through the process between each reading.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:23-26)

• On your first reading, take time to listen deeply. Notice a phrase or two. Underline it or write it down if you like.

• Read the passage a second time and take time to reflect. Notice anything new that captures your attention. Or maybe your underlined phrase remains your focus. Allow it to soak in a bit. Chew on it for a few moments in the same way you would savor your favorite meal.

• Read the passage a third time and take time to respond. Notice what happens in your heart as you read. What do you feel? What desires, questions, or requests emerge? Allow a prayer to bubble up from inside. Respond naturally to the passage in the context of relationship.

• And now we turn to the important movement of rest. Take a few moments to be with God. Rest in God’s loving presence. No agenda. Just relationship. Let God enjoy your presence as you enjoy God’s.

I hope you’ll return to this practice and allow yourself to sink into the process of Divine Reading. It’s a relatively simple pattern that allows you to take a few verses and really soak in them, allowing the Spirit to form you further into the image of Christ.

Reflection

Assuming you simply read this email and didn’t have time to practice it yet…my invitation to you now is that you try on this practice sometime this week. Give yourself the gift of soaking in scripture and notice what happens in your heart, mind, and body.