Three months before Christmas

learning the art of Lectio Divina

Prepare in Quietness

Choose a quiet place where you can focus. Sit quietly, relaxed yet alert, and calm your thoughts, choosing to release your distractions. Pray, asking the Holy Spirit to guide your time of reading and reflection, and to show you his truth. Be ready to hear what God brings to your mind.

Read Your Passage

The first step of lectio divina is lectio: reading a portion of Scripture. The passage does not need to be long. The point is prayerful reflection on the word of God. You will read the passage several times. You may find special significance in a word or phrase during the reading: you can then reflect on that word or phrase during the meditation step next.

Reading Luke 1:39-56

Luke 1:39–56 ESV

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

If any words or phrases stood out during your reading, you may wish to record them here.

What a divine moment for the virgin Mary. Bursting through the door of her cousin's home she wouldn't have in a million year expect the greeting she recieved from Elizabeth. God's conformation came through her pregnant speaking words of affirmation that her Lord lives within her. These mothers shared a precious moment together. Both with child and each given a son who would transform our world. Mary response is natural since Elizabeth praises her and exclaims how God has fulfilled his promise to give her a son. Filled with amazing joy, I can envision Mary shouting her praise to God inside Elizabeth's home. She cannot contain her happiness, joy, and gladness. It must be expressed, she has been chosen to carry the most important child in the universe. After giving praise, she remains with her cousin, I imagine until Elizabeth gives birth.

Meditate on the Passage

Reflect in quietness on the passage you have just read for several minutes. Be alert to any parts of the passage that especially spoke to you. Turn those phrases over in your mind, and listen for what the Holy Spirit might be saying to you about those words and your own life. Savor the richness of the passage that it might accompany you throughout your day or week.

Engage the passage with your imagination. For some passages, you might imagine the scene: what would you have seen, or heard, or felt?

I heard a door open as Mary enters Elizabeth's house. I can hear both women shouting praise what was happening to them in the moment. Elizabeth's child is leaps and she feels the overwhelming power of the Spirit to say the truth to her cousin. Mary takes it all in and then shouts praises to heaven. It was a grand experience to say the least. What a moment of complete utter joy.

Ponder what the passage might invite you to do, or how you respond to it (and why).

When I feel the Holy Spirit presence, I should praise God who lives in heaven and tell him of how great he is towards me a sinner. I can uses Mary's Song of Praise and use it for myself. I will give it a try today.

Respond in Prayer

The third step of lectio divina is oratio or prayer. This is the part where you respond to what you read and meditated upon. Your time of reading and meditation provides the basis for this meaningful prayer and communion with God.

Tell God what words, phrases, or ideas captured your attention, and what they meant to you. Ask God to use this reflection to change your heart and life.

The sudden and unexpected praise of God captures my attention. They had a reason to celebrate in that moment. Lord, as Mary and Elizabeth praise you in Mary's womb and in heaven let me also lift your name up by exclaiming your greatness.

You may choose to pray back the words from your passage, using first-person pronouns (“I”, “me”, “my”) as appropriate to personalize the content.

God is great to me.

Contemplate in God’s Presence

The last step of lectio divina is contemplatio or contemplation. Establish an attitude of quietness and listening before the Lord. Rest in silence and quietness before the Lord. Be still before God and invite him to be present with you, loving you and refreshing your soul. Celebrate the opportunity you’ve had to feed on God’s word.