Lexio Divina: Holy Reading.   (Week 3)
Entering into Scripture with a prayerful heart, open ears, repetition, quietness, intent, and mindfulness.  It is entering into a rhythm of both action and contemplation.
Lectio: reading/listening
Meditatio: ruminate, chew on it!
Oratio: prayer (a two way conversation)
Contimplatio: accept God’s transforming embrace.


THE ART of lectio divina begins with cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear "with the ear of our hearts" as St. Benedict writes.  The prophet Elijah was able to listen for the still, small voice of God (1Kings 19:12); the "faint murmuring sound" which is God's word for us, God's voice touching our hearts. This listening is an "atunement" to the presence of God voice can speak directly into our lives and experiences.  When Sarah heard the miraculous news of God’s word to her, she laughed, both because that word was so unlikely and preposterous, and because a long held desire was finally being met.

We will read the passage below 4 times.
The first time, listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you.  Think on it.  What do you feel?
The 2nd time, listen again for a word or phrases.  It made be a new one or it may be the same one.  How does it relate to your life now?
The 3rd time, listen for a word or phrase, then spend some time in contemplation asking God what that word or phrase might mean to you or for you?  Write it down, or pray quietly.
The 4th time, ask God to speak the word or phrases that have stood out to you into some specific area of your life.  What specific invitation may God be speaking to you?  Write it down, or rest quietly in prayer and thanksgiving for the Word of the Lord.

Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25
And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God,"and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet."
 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
     "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,"he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
     Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.