What is lectio divina?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 2708, “Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.” The five steps of lectio divina include:

• Reading. Read a passage slowly and carefully within the bible.
• Meditation. Thinking deeply or dwelling upon a spiritual reality within a text.
• Prayer. Having a loving encounter with God by seeking to understand God’s character and word.
• Contemplation. Resting in God’s presence.
• Action. Go and do likewise.

September 7, 2025: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wisdom 9:13-18b; Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33

In the Gospel for today we summarize that if any man comes to me without hating, he cannot be a  disciple of Jesus. It doesn’t mean that we hate our family but that we love them less than we love Jesus!

Approaching Lectio Divina with the words of today’s Gospel in Luke is rather demanding, but one takes each step and follow through in accomplishing to read Luke 14:25-22. What is there to think about with this particular Gospel? It is good to read again at least two or three times and reflect on a particular text or word that deeply touches our heart. At this point one might want to go over the Bible text again and pour out our souls by seeking to understand what word or phrase really helps me today or at this moment, just sitting still and resting in God’s presence. Finally, after going over the phase one has chosen, one thinks about how can I or what can I do in my life right now to “go and do likewise.”  Blessings upon your week. SK