Jul 02 2008
The Bible and Spiritual Reading
Let’s make a distinction between spiritual reading and educational reading, between using the Bible as a source of prayer and using the Bible as a source of study. In practice, these two ways should not be separated. A prayerful reading of Scripture deepens one’s study of Scripture, and the study of Scripture helps one’s prayerful reading bear fruit. Here, we’re going to discuss using the Bible as a source of prayer, what is traditionally called lectio divina or spiritual reading.
Lectio divina has three steps: reading, reflection, and prayer. Reading leads to reflection, and reflection ends in prayer. For example, you read Psalm 1 and are led to reflect on how following God’s law is the source of happiness. You might ask, “Could my unhappiness be because I covet the Jones’ new car?” Or, conversely, you might ask, “Is this new sense of peace I have the result of keeping my resolution to pray daily?” Questions like these are only examples, of course. The point is this: The biblical text becomes the source of reflection.
Since the goal of life is communion with God, these reflections must end in prayer if they are to be profitable. We turn to God in thanksgiving, or in contrition, or with a request, or with a spirit of adoration and praise. It does not matter, really, so long as our prayer is the logical growth from our reflection. For example, if you covet, you might ask God for a love of self-denial. Or, if you are keeping your resolve to pray daily, you should thank God for that grace. In this way, lectio divina becomes a kind of conversation with God. God speaks to us first in Scripture. We listen to his words and think upon them. Then we speak to God. When we have finished speaking, we turn back to the Scriptures to listen once again.
Now, some points for consideration. First, lectio divina takes time. Spiritual tradition suggests that fifteen minutes is the bare minimum. That doesn’t necessarily mean fifteen minutes of reading. One passage might inspire thirty minutes of reflection and prayer. Don’t stop conversing with God because you feel you must finish the chapter. The goal is communion with God, not reading a set number of verses. On the other hand, there might be days when nothing seems to inspire you, and you’ll spend the entire time reading. You have to take it as it comes.
Second, lectio divina takes practice. You must to learn how to read slowly and with the awareness of God’s presence in the soul. You must learn how to reflect and examine your life: your thoughts, words, actions, and, particularly, your motivations. You must learn how to speak freely and simply to God, from your own heart and with your own words, as you would to an intimate friend. So start small and don’t allow yourself to become frustrated.
Third, every part of the Bible is inspired by God, but not every part of the Bible is good for lectio divina. A beginner should confine himself to the Gospels as well as the less complicated letter of Paul, such as Philippians, Ephesians, 1-2 Timothy, 1-2 Peter, and 1 John. In the Old Testament, the Psalms are good for lectio divina, as well as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Book of Wisdom, and Ecclesiasticus (or Sirach).
Fourth, unless you have imposed upon yourself a discipline of spiritual reading (say, for Lent), if what you’re reading is not inspiring, then stop. There will come a point in your interior life when you must learn how to endure spiritual dryness, but if you are just setting out, there’s little point in struggling. You might consider another book of the Bible, or even some other spiritual book, such as The Imitation of Christ.
Most importantly, of course, is to remember that the goal of spiritual reading is not learning something new, but, rather, communion with God.
