Book review: Lectio Divina

May 13, 2004

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is part of a series of book reviews featured monthly in The Globe. The review is sponsored by the Religious Education Media Center as a service to those interested in developing their own spirituality. Books featured in this column can be borrowed from the diocesan media center. You may request this or other books by writing Deacon Larry Sitzman, Religious Education Media Center, 1821 Jackson St., Sioux City, IA 51102, e-mail him at larrys@scdiocese.org or phone (712) 255-7933. Monthly book reviews have been featured on a monthly basis in The Globe since September. Look for more reviews starting in the fall. To request this book, ask for p.r. 1397.87.

Msgr. Richard Zenk offers this month book review on "Lectio Divina", by: Father M. Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O., a Crossroad book the Crossword Publishing Co, New York Copyright: 1998.

As the subtitle states: "Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures," we have a brief indication of the purpose of the book, as presented by a priest who is well qualified to inform the reader of the benefit to be gained by a prayerful praying of the Scriptures.

He asserts in the beginning of his book that "Lectio is an experiential hearing of the Word of God..." that "Lectio is listening to a Person present. God lives in his Word." He continues that "... our inner attitude ... will make all the difference in our ability to hear what God is saying to us." "... At the deeper level, this actual experience of the Word bring us to that point where we can say with Paul: 'I know in whom I believe."'

The author stressed that the pray-er must come with humility, realizing his ignorance about the ways of God; with openness to the presence of God in his prayer; and with faithfulness in continuing his efforts.

He gives some advice: "... I have found that if I try to grasp all that is served up at the Liturgy of the Word, it all seems to run through my fingers. So what I now do in practice is to choose one small tasty morsel. Sometimes one particular nugget is given to me - one word, sentence, or phrase strikes me very forcefully; at other times, I select one. In any case, I take away from the liturgy of the Word a "word of life," which I talk over with the Lord after Communion and carry with me through the day. I allow the word to re-echo in my mind and in my heart, giving color to all that I experience through the day."

For a fuller explanation of the word "Lectio," he implies that it is: first lectio, which is a listening for God in his Word, then meditatio, which is more of a receptive process of mulling over the Word received; next, oratio, "which is any and every kind of communication with God who loves us;" and finally contemplatio: "to abide with God within his temple."

He suggests the following procedure: "The whole process, if we have space for it, can be present in each or every period of lectio. As we listen to the Word (lectio), a word, a phrase, a sentence may well strike us, and we let it reverberate within, opening and expanding, forming and shaping (meditatio), calling forth varied responses (oratio), until finally we simply rest in the Reality to which is all leads (contemplatio)."

The book can be indeed a great help to any person who wishes to develop a greater life of prayer, to have a greater appreciation for the Inspired Word of God and to grow as a child of God in the likeness of the Lord.

(Msgr. Zenk is pastor at St. Patrick Church in Akron, director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the executive secretary, treasurer of Calvary Cemetery.)