Lectio Divina - an interpretation of the process

Epiphany 2017 - this process and the text following may be used in a group or on one's own. It is a deeply contemplative and creative practice which informs all of life - a process of transformation by which we come to be known ... 

Lectio (Reading):  

This is a practice of reflective reading and listening to a text as the Word of God; of listening with an open heart and mind, rather than an analytical reading where the text is examined, sifted and assessed. Give yourself an hour, allowing a good amount of time for each step. Begin in attentive silence, open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Then read the text aloud, listening to the reading as the Word of God for you for this moment today. Reading aloud helps me to listen with all of myself. Allow the spoken words to flow over and through you. Try not to grasp or select; allow yourself to listen gently for a word or phrase that stands out for you in this moment. It is helpful to read the text 3 times – reading more slowly with each repetition. When something stands out for you, allow everything else to fall away and stay with that one word or short phrase – this is God’s gift for you today.

Meditatio (Meditation):

You are invited to name aloud the word or phrase that has stayed with you, followed by a time of silence where this one word or phrase becomes your meditation, quietly repeated in the silence of your heart.

Oratio (Response):

A time in which to respond to God – does your response want to be written, drawn, be a movement, posture, or spoken, silent, a song, a sound?

What challenge or invitation arises from this Lectio for you today?

Contemplatio (Contemplation):

A time to rest silently within the Presence ...  

A suggested text - a slow repeated reading aloud of Matthew 2: 1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
   are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
   who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’

 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Peace be with you