LEXIO DIVINA
SACRED READING
INTRODUCTION
The sacred tradition of faith had been
passed on from generation to
generation orally and later on through
reading and listening to the Word of
God
Literal Meaning
LEXIO= Reading
Divina in ecclesiastical Latin does not mean
divine but sacred
LEXIO DIVINA = Sacred reading
from the Sacred Scripture, simultaneously
listening to the text in the context and to God
who is speaking through the text. This reading
with an attitude of openness to the Holy Spirit
would lead to meditation, prayer and
contemplation.
In the fifth century
a Carthusian monk, Guigo called Lexio Divina a
ladder that has four steps by which one could
ascend from earth to heaven
St. Benedict, in the early sixth
century
wrote
in
his
rulebook
that each monk should spend several hours a
day reading or listening to books being
read.
Listening to the Word was seen as a source of
spiritual energy, which was able to put the
monk in contact with God thus causing
transformation in their lives.
STEP 1- LEXIO
It is an attentive and understanding reading.
With reverence and eagerness pay attention
to what God wants to tell you. “Speak Lord
your servant is listening.” (1 Sam 3,9)
To hear the entire speaker one needs to be
attentive to the feelings of the speaker.
several times- read it aloud so
that you read and hear. It is
also good to write down the
text on a sheet of paper.
Analyze the text- Active and
passive characters- look for
places and times mentionedpurpose of the text, its literal
form (teaching, poem,
quotation) - Key words and
synonyms
particular reference and end with the
same. E.g. Mk 10, 46 – 52 “on the
way” -Identify the context by paying
attention to hook words (in those
days, after that) -Check cross
references and footnotes.
STEP 2. MEDITATIO (Meditation)
In meditation mind reflects on some
Christian truth, or passage or an
experience with aim of reaching fuller
understanding. Using the faculty of
fantasy enter in to the story depicted in
the passage
STEP 3. ORATIO (Prayer)
This prayer is a spontaneous cry of
our inner self in response to our
experience in the meditation of
the text. Certain phrases may be
repeated.
STEP 4. CONTEMPLATIO
(Contemplation)
It is a form of prayer in which the mind does not
function discursively but is arrested in a
simple attention and one-pointedness. In
order to enter into contemplation, take a
comfortable posture.
With pure desire for God, for God’s
own sake remain in a serene repose
in God’s Holy presence as much
time as possible. Towards the end
conclude contemplation with a short
thanks giving.
CONCLUSION
Lexio Divina effects in transformation of our
outlook, our awareness and attitudes. Our
thoughts gradually become attuned to the
thoughts of God (Is 55, 8). Gradually our eyes are
opened to see life and situations as God sees.
Lexio Divina leads people to action and empowers
people to be doers of the word of God.