Lectio Divina: Listening to God Through Sacred Reading

Introduction: A Sacred Conversation with God

Lectio Divina—Latin for “Divine Reading”—is a centuries-old method of prayerful Scripture reading that invites the believer into a personal and transformative encounter with the Living God. More than a study technique or devotional exercise, Lectio Divina is a sacred rhythm that awakens the heart, mind, and soul to the voice of God speaking through the Word.

It is not about mastering Scripture, but being mastered by it. Through gentle, repeated movements of reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation, we open ourselves to the mystery of divine intimacy.

As the ancient monastics taught, the Word of God is not merely read to be understood, but to be received, savored, and interiorly embraced.

“Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation.”
— Guigo II, The Ladder of Monks¹

Historical Origins: A Legacy of Listening

The roots of Lectio Divina can be traced back to the early Church, especially the 3rd-century theologian Origen of Alexandria, who taught that Scripture must be read not only with the intellect but with the heart². Origen believed that the text contains layers of meaning—literal, moral, and spiritual—and that true understanding arises only when one reads prayerfully, seeking union with God.

However, it was St. Benedict of Nursia (480–547 AD), the father of Western monasticism, who wove Lectio Divina into the daily rhythm of monastic life. In his Rule of St. Benedict, he instructed monks to spend dedicated time in the reading and prayerful pondering of Scripture, especially the Psalms³.

Later, in the 12th century, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, formalized the four steps of Lectio Divina in his short treatise The Ladder of Monks, describing it as a spiritual ascent toward God using the “rungs” of reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation⁴.

This ancient practice, revived in modern times by monastic communities, contemplatives, and spiritual directors, remains one of the most accessible and transformative ways to enter deeply into the Word of God.

What Lectio Divina Is—and Is Not

Lectio Divina is not about analyzing the text or seeking historical-critical insight, though those may be part of other forms of study. Nor is it about finishing a reading plan or achieving a spiritual goal.

Instead, Lectio is a way of being with God in the Scriptures. It is prayerful listening. The point is not to “get through” a passage, but to let the passage “get through” to you.

It is a slow, reverent approach—more like sipping a rich drink than gulping water on the run.

The Four Movements of Lectio Divina

Each movement of Lectio Divina builds upon the one before it, drawing the soul into a deeper openness to God’s presence and voice. These movements are not mechanical steps but flowing invitations. Some days, one movement may hold you longer than others. Let grace lead.

1. Lectio – Read the Word

This is the first movement: lectio, meaning “reading.” Choose a short passage from Scripture—one or two verses, a short psalm, or a brief Gospel scene. Read slowly, aloud if possible. Repeat the passage two or three times. Let the words echo.

Ask:
• What word or phrase catches my attention?
• What image stands out?
• What stirs in my heart as I read?

Example: You read 1 Corinthians 13:4 – “Love is patient and kind.”

Let those words settle. Don’t rush.

2. Meditatio – Reflect and Receive

This is the movement of meditatio—to meditate or reflect. Here, you allow the Word to sink deeper. Turn the phrase over in your mind. Repeat it gently. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s invitation.

Christian meditation is not an emptying but a filling—a focusing of the heart on God’s truth. It resembles mindfulness but is grounded in the personal presence of the Lord⁵.

Ask:
• What might God be saying to me through this word or phrase?
• How does it speak to my current season of life?
• What memories, feelings, or insights arise?

Example: You meditate on “Love is patient and kind.”
You may begin reflecting on your relationships, perhaps sensing a nudge to extend patience toward someone specific.

3. Oratio – Speak and Respond

Oratio means prayer. Now, having received God’s Word, we respond. Let your prayer rise naturally. You might praise, confess, ask for help, or simply sit with God in the silence of your heart.

This movement is about dialogue. Just as Mary responded, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), we offer our hearts to God in response to what we’ve heard.

Ask:
• What do I want to say to God?
• How do I want to respond to His invitation?
• Is there a prayer rising from my heart?

Example: You might pray, “Lord, help me to love more patiently. Give me the grace to be kind today when I am tempted to be harsh.”

4. Contemplatio – Rest in God

Contemplatio, or contemplation, is the final movement. Here, words fall away. You rest quietly in God’s presence. You are not doing anything, not analyzing, not even praying in words—you are simply being with God.

This is a gift, not a technique. It may come as peace, silence, lightness, or tears. It is God drawing your soul into deeper communion. In this moment, we are no longer speaking—we are simply abiding⁶.

Ask (gently):
• Can I rest now in God’s love?
• Can I let go of striving and simply be with the One who loves me?

You may choose to sit silently or practice Centering Prayer as a means of deepening this stage.

An Example with 1 Corinthians 13:4

Let’s walk briefly through the four stages again using the verse: “Love is patient and kind.”

1. Lectio – Read the verse aloud several times. Notice “patient,” “kind.”
2. Meditatio – Reflect on where in your life you’re being called to patience.
3. Oratio – Pray: “Lord, grow patience and kindness in my heart.”
4. Contemplatio – Rest silently in the presence of God’s love.

Lectio Divina in Daily Life

Lectio Divina can be practiced in just 15–20 minutes a day—or longer when possible. It can be done individually or in small groups. You may keep a journal to record insights or prayers that arise. Some find it helpful to return to the same passage over several days, letting it deepen layer by layer.

While Lectio Divina is traditionally practiced with Scripture, it can also be used with the writings of saints, mystics, or even sacred poetry that opens the heart to God’s presence.

Conclusion: A Lifelong Listening

The Church Fathers often spoke of Scripture as the voice of the Beloved. In Lectio Divina, we sit at His feet and listen. Through this sacred reading, God speaks—not just information, but invitation.

“The Word of God is living and active…” (Hebrews 4:12)

Lectio Divina is not an ancient relic—it is a living doorway. In a world filled with noise and hurry, this slow, sacred reading trains the heart to hear again the One who speaks in love.

Footnotes
1. Guigo II, The Ladder of Monks, trans. Edmund Colledge and James Walsh (Cistercian Publications, 1979), 68.
2. Origen of Alexandria, Homilies on Genesis and Exodus, trans. Ronald Heine (Catholic University of America Press, 1981).
3. Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 48: “On the Daily Manual Labor.”
4. Guigo II, The Ladder of Monks, 66–70.
5. Thomas Merton, Contemplative Prayer (Doubleday, 1969), 33–34.
6. John of the Cross, The Living Flame of Love, trans. Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez (ICS Publications, 2002), 47.