Lectio Divina: Practical Hints 1

"The lectio divina arose as a form of personal prayer in that solitude which, having all the characteristics of that prayer "in secret" (Mt. 6:6), allows one to have a transforming experience with the Lord, ..."
Luciano Pachomio, Lectio Divina, p. 50

The previous articles have described in a general way the theory behind "lectio divina". In this and in the following articles, I wish to discuss "how" it is done. This being the first article on the practical aspects of the lectio divina, I will share with you some guidelines drawn from the practise of the monks and the Fathers of the Church relevant to the practice of the lectio.

Let us begin with three important rules:

1. Have a good translation of the Bible; 2. Have a fixed time and place for the reading of the Bible; 3. Choose a book of Scriptures, and read it through.

Rule 1: Have a Good Translation of the Bible. There are many translations of the Bible, thanks to the work of scholars. In deciding which translation is "good", three things must be taken into consideration:

(a) the translation must reflect the findings of current biblical scholarship; (b) the translation must be in a language that is understandable to the reader; (c) the translation must have all the books of Scriptures.

The translation must reflect the efforts of current biblical scholarship. Bible translations serve to bridge the gap between the contemporary reader and the "mind" of the sacred author who wrote at a time, place and culture far removed from that of the former. Considering the advances made in the biblical sciences during the past thirty or forty years -- advances that makes us understand more deeply the culture of the sacred author and his work, in a way that was not possible before -- the lectio divina practitioner would do well to choose a translation that reflects the findings of modern scholarship. Most often, these findings are incorporated in notes (whether marginal or foot notes), that offers the reader some insights into the way a particular word is rendered in different stages in the transmission of the sacred text, some fact about a particular biblical place, custom, or practice, the history of interpretation of a particular text, etc.... All these extra notes are geared towards the helping the reader get a much broader understanding of a particular word, phrase or a paragraph that was not possible before. The use of modern bible translations is to be considered an essential requirement of the understanding of the sacred text, since the human aspect of the inspired Word must also be revered in the same way as we revere the humanity of the Risen and Glorious Lord.

The copyright of the article Lectio Divina: Practical Hints 1 in Scriptural Studies is owned by alberto esmeralda. Permission to republish Lectio Divina: Practical Hints 1 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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