The Jesuit Guide To (Almost) Everything - James Martin [71]
Like Ignatian contemplation, while this form of prayer was not invented by Ignatius, it is very popular among Jesuits. Ignatius calls it the “Second Method” of prayer in the Exercises. (In case you think we’ve overlooked the “First Method” in the Exercises, we haven’t. The First Method is less a method of prayer than a preparation: you review the Ten Commandments, and so on, to see where you have sinned, and you then make amends to your life.)
Rather than telling you how lectio divina differs from contemplation, let me introduce the technique, and you’ll be able to see some of the differences yourself.
The easiest way I’ve found to approach lectio was suggested by my New Testament professor, Daniel Harrington. He suggested breaking the process down into four steps.
Before you begin, of course, you select a specific passage from the Bible as the basis for your prayer. Let’s use the story of Jesus preaching in the synagogue in Nazareth, as told in the Gospel of Luke (4:16–30).
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus comes to his hometown and enters the Jewish synagogue to preach. He unrolls the Torah scroll and begins reading a passage from the Book of Isaiah. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” he says, quoting Isaiah. “He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind.” Then he boldly says to the assembly, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Initially the crowd praises Jesus, astonished that the hometown boy is so learned.
But then he begins to criticize the group for its lack of faith, and says, “No prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown.” The crowd then turns on him. “They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill,” where they intended to throw him off the cliff. Unperturbed, Jesus “passed through the midst of them and went on his way.”
As with any prayer, you first ask for God’s help. Now let’s consider the passage using lectio divina.
1. Reading: What Does the Text Say?
First, read the passage. What is going on? With most stories from the Old and New Testaments, this is clear. But not always. Here you might glance at the bottom of the page of your Bible, where the editors might have included explanatory notes. Bible commentaries, which offer explanations of unfamiliar words, practices, and traditions, will help you appreciate the context of the reading before you go on.
For example, here’s what the HarperCollins Bible Commentary says about what Jesus is doing in the synagogue that day. “[Jesus] lives and works within his tradition. He regularly attends the synagogue and participates as all male members were permitted to do, by reading scripture and commenting. He follows the regular practice: stand to read, sit to comment.” Now you know that Jesus was following the standard practice, which might inform your prayer.
When Jesus reads from the scroll, he reveals his identity and mission to his friends and neighbors. It must have been shocking for the people of the little town of Nazareth to hear one of their own say, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” In other words, I am the fulfillment of this scripture.
After initially finding his discourse pleasant, the crowd turns on Jesus, attempting to kill him. No wonder this passage is sometimes called “The Rejection at Nazareth.”
2. Meditation: What Is God Saying to Me Through the Text?
Now ask if there is something that God wants to reveal to you through this text. This is where your imagination may come to the fore, as you begin to meditate more deeply on the text.
Sometimes the passage might immediately connect with something in your life. For example, where do you feel called to be prophetic, even in the face of rejection? In the Gospel story, Jesus wanted to proclaim his message even though he probably suspected it would be controversial. Is there something in your life that calls for a similarly courageous stance?
This is where linkages with your life are important. Let’s say you’re praying about this story and recall