Being the Beloved - A Monthly Blog from CFDM Northwest
By Rev Mona Chicks, CFDM Alumna
This past month I taught a workshop on lectio divina as a personal study to deepen your relationship with Jesus. It was a great reminder of how such a simple tool can guide us to deeper understanding of ourselves, of our relationship with Jesus, and of the vision that God has for us.
When I use lectio divina for personal study, it is remarkable how taking the time to listen to what scripture is saying allows me to engage with the text in ways that are completely unexpected. One of the people in the workshop said, “it makes you slow down and really pay attention.” I come to know myself more deeply through words and phrases, emotions, and the invitation I sense in the text. I do love studying scripture for theology, for facts, and for information, but to feel truly transformed I need the text to know me and that’s what lectio divina offers.
If you would like to attempt to use this tool in your personal study, here are some tips. First, keep the text short that you are reading. Stories work best, such as a story about Jesus, Joshua or David, but the New Testament letters can also be used. Even psalms work well but remember to keep things short - don't try to tackle the whole chapter at once.
Also, it is very useful to hear your own voice read the words out loud. Ideally, read it out loud to yourself three times, but if you are not in a place where you can do that feel free to read silently. However, you're more likely to have a hard time connecting with the word or phrase because you are making your eyes do all the work, rather than allowing your voice and ears to take on some of it.
Another tip is to pause and take notes throughout your reading. After you read through the first time, take a few notes about what it is you're hearing or noticing. Do this again after the second and third readings in order to help you to set those thoughts aside, then you won’t get distracted by them as you continue through the lectio.
My final tip is to tell somebody. It’s always hopeful to hear yourself speak out loud the revelations that you’ve had, as well as to hear how another person reflects back to you. But this is not essential, just helpful. You can certainly do the same thing with Jesus in a time of prayer that you would do in group spiritual direction or with a close friend.
Here are the steps…
Step 1: Read the scripture passage slowly and out loud, paying attention to a word or phrase that stands out, that makes you ask a question, that you notice, that sparkles, or in some other way calls out for your attention.
Step 2: As you read the scripture a second time, pay attention to the feelings that arise as you hear that word or phrase.
Step 3: The third time, listen for the invitation that God has for you.
May God be with you as you seek a deeper connection with yourself and with Jesus.
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