Lectio Divina in Lent

​During Lent, a small group gathered at St. John’s each Wednesday to practice lectio divina, or divine reading, a method of praying with scripture. We listened to three different versions of the same scripture reading, we shared the words or phrases that stood out to us, reflected on how the Word spoke into our lives or the times in which we live, and considered whether a call to action or a prayer emerged from these reflections. This unhurried resting with the scripture opened our hearts to hear the familiar anew.

The small group provided a unique space for relaxed and informal discussions, with more than one “a ha” moment and times of laughter. The chosen scriptures were the Gospel readings for the following Sunday, which heightened our interest and engagement with the sermon! Would it be familiar or would we hear something new?
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Those who attended the lectio divina sessions were unanimous in their enthusiasm for the practice, and are looking forward to future offerings. It is our hope that others will join us and give it a try.

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“I found attending Lectio Divina during Lent to be a calming and enriching experience. It was interesting to read three different translations of the same scripture verses, and notice the differences between them. It was a lovely chance to spend some more time with folks from the St. John’s community. When other people shared their thoughts on the scripture, it made me notice things about the verses that I hadn’t noticed before.” 
-Margaret (a participant)