Lectio Divina Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures

by M Basil Pennington Ocso

Overview

Lectio divina is "letting our Divine Friend speak to us through his inspired and inspiring Word," according to M. Basil Pennington, the late priest, retreat master, and prominent lecturer in the Centering Prayer movement. This ancient Christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and fidelity. Father Pennington sets the process of praying the Scriptures in the context of meditation, contemplation, compassion, and action. He calls it "a way of friendship" wherein we pay attention to "the love letters from the Lord." Lectio, as a satisfying mental and emotional experience, can be enhanced by reading different translations of the Bible, using commentaries, participating in Bible study groups, and using the resources of Scripture-oriented websites.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780824517366
Publisher:	The Crossroad Publishing Company
Publication date:	09/01/1998
Pages:	184
Sales rank:	304,261
Product dimensions:	5.14(w) x 7.52(h) x 0.53(d)

Editorial Reviews

"Anyone who desired to learn how to pray with, from, and through the sacred scriptures will be enriched by this book."  —Praying Magazine

From the Publisher

In this day of widespread interest in spiritual reading, the practice of lectio divina (literally, "divine reading") has sparked renewed interest among Catholics who have reclaimed their ancient contemplative heritage and among those generally interested in prayer and meditation. In the first millennium, when a majority of people were unable to read for themselves, lectio divina involved hearing passages from the Bible during church services or sometimes being given a word or phrase by a spiritual mentor. Pennington, a Trappist monk and author of books on centering prayer, monastic life, and Thomas Merton, emphasizes the experiential aspects of the practice, noting that the intent is not to study Bible passages for knowledge but to deepen awareness of God's presence. Suitable for theological collections and large public libraries.

Library Journal