4 Great Questions to Ask During Lectio Divina

Lectio divina, or  “divine reading”, is a form of Christian meditation that makes full use of the intellect in an effort to understand God’s Word, hear God’s voice, and encounter God’s transformative love.

In order to help facilitate this encounter with God through His Word, here are 4 great questions you can ask yourself. Think of these questions as anchors to keep you focused (ask yourself these questions if you get distracted).

#1: NOW

Q. How does this Word apply to my life right now?

• “The Word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God calls us to respond.
• Ask yourself: How does this Word apply to my life right now? in regards to how I feel emotionally? spiritually? physically? 

#2: FUTURE

Q. How does this Word apply to my future? 

• “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). The Word of God calls us to a specific vocation in life. 
• Ask yourself: How does this Word apply to the upcoming events of this day? How can I live out this Word today? How does this Word apply to my calling in life? my vocation? to my discernment? to my role as a father/mother/husband/wife, worker, etc? 

#3: MARY

Q. How does this Word apply to Mary? 

• “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy Word” (Luke 1:38). “We see that her life was really penetrated by the Word, she had entered the Word, had assimilated it and it had become life in her, transforming itself again in a Word of praise and proclamation of the greatness of God” (Pope Benedict XVI). Mary is the model disciple. She received the Word perfectly and continually pondered the Word in her heart.
• Ask yourself: How does this Word apply to Mary? to my relationship with her? how does she exemplify this Word? to incarnate this Word?

#4: EUCHARIST

Q. How does this Word apply to the Eucharist? 

• “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Since all devotions find their source and summit in the Eucharist (where the Word of God sacramentally takes flesh), it is fitting to end with this Eucharistic lens to praying with Scripture.
• Ask yourself: How does this Word apply to the Eucharist? How can it prepare me to better receive my next Communion?