Lectio and Visio Divina for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

Anna Kreslins
4 hours ago
3 min read

Lectio divina is an ancient form of prayer, a practice of entering into a scripture passage through active meditation and reflection. It was through lectio divina that I first learned how to pray with scripture in a fruitful way, and through which I clearly heard the Lord speaking to my heart through scripture. It has remained (sometimes in varying forms) the primary way I pray, and the primary way the Lord speaks into my own heart. His Word is a living Word, discerning our hearts and cutting through to them like a double-edged sword.

Lectio divina is one of the simplest ways to pray with scripture, a perfect method if you are feeling lost as to how to pray with Scripture. AND, the beauty of being Catholic is that you can use the scripture readings chosen by the Church each day (aka the daily readings) and never have to feel lost as to what to read or where to start.

This Fourth Sunday of Lent I will not only write out the steps to lectio divina but will offer you a few excerpts from each of the four scripture passages we read as a Church to reflect on and enter more deeply into (with visuals!).

HOW TO DO LECTIO DIVINA:

There are slightly varying methods of praying lectio divina, but all in all they have similar steps with a similar outcome. By the end of our meditations, the hope is that we can rest in the presence and peace of God's living Word, having received Him and responded in love to His promptings and initiatives of love.

Silencio // prepare in silence

Take a moment to still your heart and mind. Recollect yourself in the presence and love of God and invite the Holy Spirit to be part of this time. Open your heart peacefull to the Lord and whatever He may want to speak to you in this time.

Lectio // read the scripture

Take your chosen passage from scripture and read it through simply but attentively. This isn't the time to analyze or try to glean deep meaning from it, but rather familiarize yourself with it in simplicity. Be aware of what initially stands out to you, like a line, or character, a gesture... sit with it in a spirit of openess and simplicity.

Meditatio // meditate

Read through the passage again, this time meditating more intently on what it standing out to you. Reflect on the meaning, and ask God what He might be speaking to your heart, into your own life and circumstances. It can be helpful for some to journal in this step.

Oratio // pray

Read through passage another time. As you read it this time, how do you want to respond to God and what He is speaking to you? Ask God what He is asking of you or inviting you to do. Maybe it is simply in this moment to praise Him, to ask for forgiveness, to open a tender place of your heart to Him in response to His action and presence.

Contemplatio // contemplate

Rest in the presence of God with you. Be aware of any further stirrings, but try to quiet yourself to simply be with the Lord here, at peace and stilled in His love for you.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT READINGS:

I will share the actual scripture verses for you to read on the USCCB page or to look up in your own Bible (I highly recommend praying lectio divina with a hard copy of a Bible in your hands... it lends towards much more focused prayer than using your phone), and then a visual with an excerpt, if you would rather pray with just a short verse from each.

First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a