An Invitation to Incorporate Lectio Divina During Holy Week

As we journey through Holy Week, incorporating Lectio Divina into our spiritual practices can provide a transformative lens through which to experience the richness of the Gospel narratives and enter more fully into the mystery of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection.

Lectio Divina, or "divine reading," is a method of prayerful reading and meditation on Sacred Scripture that allows us to enter into a deeper encounter with God's word. Rooted in the monastic tradition of the early Church, Lectio Divina offers a structured framework for engaging with Scripture that is both accessible to beginners and enriching for seasoned practitioners.

4 Steps to Lectio Divina

1. The first step in practicing Lectio Divina is Lectio, or reading. During Holy Week, we are presented with a wealth of Scripture passages that recount the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection—the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the agony in the garden, the betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and finally, the glorious resurrection. Taking time each day to prayerfully read and reflect on these passages allows us to immerse ourselves in the sacred story and open our hearts to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

2. Next comes Meditatio, or meditation. In this step, we move beyond simply reading the words on the page to allowing them to penetrate our hearts and minds deeply. As we meditate on the events of Holy Week, we are invited to enter into the scenes portrayed in Scripture, imagining ourselves as witnesses to the unfolding drama of salvation. We may find ourselves drawn to particular characters or moments in the narrative, allowing them to speak to us in new and unexpected ways.

3. The third step is Oratio, or prayer. As we meditate on the Scripture passages, we respond to God's word with prayer, pouring out our hearts in gratitude, lament, confession, or supplication. In Holy Week, our prayers may take on a particular intensity as we accompany Jesus in his suffering and death, offering our own burdens and struggles to him on the cross.

4. Finally, Lectio Divina culminates in Contemplatio, or contemplation. In this step, we simply rest in God's presence, allowing his word to dwell richly within us and transform us from the inside out. As we contemplate the mysteries of Holy Week, we are invited to surrender ourselves more fully to God's love and mercy, trusting in the promise of new life and resurrection.

Incorporating Lectio Divina into our Holy Week observances offers us a profound opportunity to journey with Jesus to the cross and beyond, allowing his Word to illuminate our path and draw us closer to him.

As we embark on this sacred journey during Holy Week, may we open our hearts to the transforming power of God's Word, allowing it to lead us ever deeper into the heart of Easter.