Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures

by M. Basil Pennington

Lectio divina is "letting our Divine Friend speak to us through his inspired and inspiring Word," according to M. Basil Pennington, the late priest, retreat master, and prominent lecturer in the Centering Prayer movement. This ancient Christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and fidelity. Father Pennington sets the process of praying the Scriptures in the context of meditation, contemplation, compassion, and action. He calls it "a way of friendship" wherein we pay attention to "the love letters from the Lord." Lectio, as a satisfying mental and emotional experience, can be enhanced by reading different translations of the Bible, using commentaries, participating in Bible study groups, and using the resources of Scripture-oriented websites.

Genres: Christian, Prayer, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christianity, Religion

184 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Dom M. Basil Pennington O.C.S.O. (1931–2005) was a Trappist monk and priest. He was a leading Roman Catholic spiritual writer, speaker, teacher, and director.

Pennington was an alumnus of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas Angelicum where he obtained a licentiate in Theology in 1959.[1] He also earned a licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Pennington became known internationally as one of the major proponents of the Centering Prayer movement begun at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, during the 1970s.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this old friend of a book from a coffee table at the Benedictine Abbey where I was on retreat. It was refreshing to look back at this most accessible of introductions to an ancient method of praying with Scripture. Pennington starts with a basic format — read Scripture and listen for a word. He tells some stories. And then he builds the practice a bit more: listen for a word; carry it with you through the day; let God begin to work that word in you. Then he tells some more stories. It’s not until chapter 12 that he shares the practice as I’ve come to teach it and lead it in groups— listening for a word, phrase, or image — and then sharing those words together.

Easy read. Life-giving practice. It was an extra bonus to thenconnect this familiar form of the practice, with the Lectio we prayed throughout the day with the monks at the Abbey.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book; one of the better books on lectio that I have encountered. I would have moved chapter 8 and 12 up in the book. Getting started is important. Lectio is much like swimming; reading about it is only valuable after a long practice session.

Unlike the good trappist monk, I loose meaning by reading a verse 3 or 4 times and moving on. I have to spend 2 or 3 sessions on a verse in order to do it justice.

I would recommend his book to those starting out or to those who have done lectio and lost touch.

[An Te · Rating 5 out of 5]

A conversational and spiritually stoking read from this Roman Catholic Trapist monk. It enters predominantly around levin divine and its for-part component: lection, meditation, oration, contemplation. Each is necessary for knowing and union with God and this clearly demonstrated in the book.

'The first degrees are of little or no use without the last, while the last can never, or hardly ever, be won without the first... Lectio without meditation is sterile, meditation without lectio is liable to error, oratio without meditation is lukewarm, mediltio without oratio is unfruitful, ratio when it is fervent wins comtemplatio, but to obtain it without oratio (prayer) would be rare, even miraculous.' p.58

Furthermore, compassio (compassion) and operatio (action) are additions to supplement the meditative practise.

Written in an easy to read and appealing style, it's a good introductory book for any Christian seeking guidance on meditation and contemplation of God's glorious Word.

[Norah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basil Pennington was such a clear, gentle, and intelligent thinker. I gave a copy of this book to a woman who wanted to know how she could possibly hear from God - it was a great help to her in her desire to learn.

[Jimmy Chavedo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am no expert on Lectio Divina, I’m not even Catholic. This book could have easily received 4 stars if it weren’t for a few major concerns. 1. The idea that God made us because “he wanted to have someone with whom he could share his happiness.” (12) This idea is just a shade short of the false teaching “God made us because he was lonely.” The trinitarian God is perfect within himself, lacking nothing at all. He needs us not. He does share his happiness with us, this is true, however, to claim that as a reason for him creating us seems ludicrous when compared to the overarching meta narrative of Scripture. This is one of the least disturbing ideas I have to comment on.

2. In appendix 4, Pennington gives several maxims of belief. In the first one, he refers to the Holy Spirit as she. (I’m not going to present a full argument against this here. Either you agree with Scripture, or Pennington on this one)

3. Though Pennington does emphasize that Scripture is the main place to seek God, he also allows for the writings of the church fathers to be used. Granted, God does speak through people and even through their writings, but generally, in my limited understanding this is more to corroborate what he has already said in his Word. This one is not a huge issue for me, I would need to have a sit down with Pennington so I could finesse out and further understand his meaning, but that is not possible.

4. The reliance on the allegorical interpretation of Scripture as being a deeper one. Pennington notes that the “literal translation” (that is, what the author intended the text to mean is what it means, not literally as in the opposite of metaphor when the author clearly uses metaphor, poetry, etc.) is the most important and that the “allegorical” must not deviate from what was intended. However, he also claims that the allegorical is deeper and draws one closer to Christ. In fact, he even hints that the book of Genesis is nothing more than story.

And then of course there is Mary. Look, Mary was a godly woman, chosen to bare the Son of God. But, she is overshadowed by Jesus, because be is God. Pennington devoted an entire chapter to Mary, discussing how she was basically the best at Lectio. That’s fine to use her as an example, but he built her up and put her on a pedestal.

There are a number of good things about this book, however, I feel that each of those can be found elsewhere and without the major concerns Pennington brings with him.

[Henry Haney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago, at a small group Bible study, I was led through Lectio Divina by a visiting minister. It was intriguing. That experience stuck with me and though I have not practiced Lectio in the time since I have wanted to dig into this method of contemplation and spending time with God. Basil Pennington’a book was wonderful at helping me to grasp the concept and steps of Lectio enough for me to begin to experiment with it.

[Damien Rappuhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An alright introduction to the topic. Unfortunately Fr. Basil often goes off topic and loses track of what the current chapter is supposed to address. He goes off-topic quite frequently, so the book asks a lot of patience to be read, but it can be done. He has a few good thoughts that are worth considering, though.

[Vinnie Santini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended for those wanting a tried and true way of growing closer to God through Scripture. Starting with and Drawing on the desert fathers and mothers, you get a sense of the origin of this practice and it’s importance for today’s spiritual disciplines.

[Clinton Sites · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent volume for anyone who wants an introduction to Lectio Divina and what it means - or just wants to review how to pray using Lectio Divina methodology!
This is a volume that rates rereading multiple times!

[Rob Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very heartfelt little book about good 'listening' to what we read in the bible. His understanding of the traditions around lectio and meditation into action is deep and very practical. I found this a very useful book for my own practice.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this little book very helpful in presenting one way to use scripture to encounter God, not just read about God. I'll be giving his method a thorough try over the next few months.

[Steven Tryon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and brief introduction to an ancient practice of reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. Recommended.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful - explains praying this way and makes clear what Lectio truly is

[Grant Hartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction to lectio divina, and one I will recommend.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a resource than a book for reading- not surprisingly I don't feel like I have understood all that is within its pages upon the first read.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one way of doing Lectio Divina which a a way to take scripture and incorporate it into your own thought and mind.

[Thomas Argersinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief book by well-loved Catholic writer M. Basil Pennington was really a delight to read. It provides a simple pathway to engage the Scriptures using the Lectio Divina, or sacred reading, method. Some Protestants will balk at the uniquely Catholic perspectives referenced in some parts of the book, but overall this is a very user-friendly introduction to this ancient spiritual practice for any person of faith. Recommended, especially for those looking for a step-by-step “how to” guide for this important practice.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pennington's passionate love of Scripture and of Christ come through in this volume. Kind of explodes stereotypes about Roman Catholics not caring much about Scripture.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent coaching on reading prayerfully, and applying your reading to your life. Best read in small amounts, perhaps as a devotional.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very useful technique of meditating on scripture. Practicing lectio divina opens up deeper levels of understanding.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well written and highly provocative...it really challenged me to rethink the way I approach prayer and communion with God. Read it.

[AJ Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on lectio divina. I found it a clearer description than Michael Casey's book, whose prose style I like more, but content wise found his approach a bit more obtuse.

[Jt]

was glad to get it done

[Dolores Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!! A must read for those whom wish to get the most out of Scriptural Reading!!