Praying with Scripture

This liturgical year we are presented with Luke’s gospel. He begins his "good news" with a short prologue addressing Theophilus whose name means “friend of God.” This mystery man could have been Luke’s patron or even the “man in the pew” of Luke’s church audience. Whoever he was, he can help enrich a modern day person in the pew.

Theophilus must have meditated on and prayed with the stories the early church community members shared about Jesus with each other. Two-thousand-years since then, the Church continues that practice.   We do not know what method he used, however.

Two ways of praying have developed that many holy men and women have practiced as part of their spiritual journey. The first one is called lectio divina (divine reading) and the other is St. Ignatius of Loyola’s method of contemplating the Scriptures.

Although lectio divina originated with the Benedictine order some 1,600-hundred-years ago, it has now become so popular that many non-Catholics use it as well. Begin by slowly reading a passage. Note the words or phrases that stand out for you. Take some time to reflect on them. Share your thoughts with God then remain open to God’s reply. Return to your insights during your day.

St. Ignatius’ method of praying with Scripture has also become popular with non-Catholics. It is a more active way to engage the text as the reader uses his or her imagination to unlock the treasures of the passage. 

You can also use this method with either Sunday’s Gospel reading or the text of one’s choice. Read the passage slowly then select a character that appears in the scene. What is the character feeling, thinking or doing as the scene unfolds? As a result you can experience the scene through the eyes of that character. Sit with your insight. You can also choose to be a bystander and then watch all the characters as they interact.  Another example, you could be Theophilus reading Luke’s manuscript for the first time.  How do the words affect you?  Refer to your insights during your day. 

Some suggestions:  if you decide to try one or the other prayer style, consider using a journal to record your insights. Also consider joining a prayer group in your parish that uses either of these two methods.  This could enrich your spiritual life as St. Teresa of Avila pointed out the importance of having spiritual friends. Lastly, give yourself enough time to see if the method has been helpful. Habits take time and this is especially true for prayer.

Some books on lectio divina that may be helpful include Basil Pennington's "Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures;" "The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina" by Michael Casey; and "Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina" by Sister Thelma Hall, RC.

The Year of Mercy continues. Praying with Scripture can enrich your experience of it.