Meditatio

Continuing excerpts from Norvene Vest's Preferring Christ:

2. Meditatio (meditation): allow oneself to be drawn by a particular word or phrase, pondering in the mind what it means, what was its intent.

(p. 2)

Lectio

Continuing excerpts from Norvene Vest's Preferring Christ:

1. Lectio (reading): take a passage of scripture or other devotional/theological work and read aloud for a few verses. The reading aloud engages the body in the reading, and already begins to draw one more deeply into the text.

(p. 2)

The Pace of Lectio Divina

More from Norvene Vest's book, Preferring Christ:

Benedict has written the Rule in the mode of lectio divina, and in order best to be appreciated, it is best read in that mode...slow and simple, daily reflection, meditation and prayer....in such a way that we are reading in the spirit of lectio divina a work written in that spirit.

Traditionally, lectio divina is understood to contain four basic steps or elements.

1. Lectio (reading)...
2. Meditatio (meditation)...
3. Oratio (prayer)...
4. Contemplatio (contemplation)...

(pp. 1-2)

More on each of these aspects of lectio divina in subsequent posts.

Lectio Divina

When it comes to Benedictine practice, lectio divina is a term that frequently pops up. Here is a helpful passage from Norvene Vest's devotional commentary and workbook on the Rule, Preferring Christ.

...the modern reader often finds the Rule hard to understand, even though it emphasizes daily life. That is because it is written within the context of the ancient monastic art of lectio divina, and it needs to be read in that way, if it is to be truly appreciated. Lectio divina literally means "divine reading", and carries the same double meaning in Latin as in English: what is being read is divine/holy, usually the Scriptures; and how it is being read is with the help of God's Spirit. In order for this "how" to happen, one slows down radically so as to open up freely.

It is the monastic insight that reading, if it be authentic, cannot be undertaken simply with the eyes and the mind. Rather, it must involve the whole person: mind, heart, body and spirit. It is reading not so much for information as for formation, that is, for encounter with the living God in this moment in such a way that one's heart catches fire and one's life is transformed.

(p. 1)

Now that's a pretty good challenge for our fast-paced life today! In posts over the next several days I'll add further, more specific observations by Norvene Vest on this subject. Meanwhile, feel free to add your comments as we roll along!

A Daily Rule

At the core of the Benedictine way of spiritual growth is the daily rule, a blend of reading, prayer and work. For our June 22nd meeting be thinking about what daily practices you follow to help you stay on track as a Christian. Be prepared to share what you do so we can learn from each other.

We will then work at developing our own personal daily rule. For some the word 'rule' is rather loaded with negative connotations; think in terms of daily practice or daily discipline if those terms work better for you.

See you next Sunday, at 5:00 PM in the Parish Hall!

Progress Report 1

So how is everyone doing? About the time this post is published I'll be up on the Mogollon Rim outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, and high above the beautiful red-rock country of Sedona, enjoying a bit of camping with my two brothers and an uncle. I hope you enjoyed the Sunday service today, and that you are making some progress in your reading of the Chittister article on prayer. Don't be shy to make your comments, questions, observations, thoughts, and so on.

In preparation for our first meeting, June 22

Between now and June 22 read Joan Chittister's article, Benedictine Prayer: A Larger Vision of Life, at http://www.eriebenedictines.org/praywithus/aboutprayer.html.

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