The Lectio Divina, divine reading, is centrally important to camaldolese spirituality.
True to its biblical origins, the monastic life seeks above all a listening heart wherein God’s Word—God’s self-communication—is made manifest in Christ, in the Scriptures, in the human heart and in the heart of the cosmos. Lectio Divina is a method of approaching scripture in order to listen to the depths, seeking to encounter Christ, the Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit, hidden in the words of the text. Ultimately it can be said that the goal of lectio is an ever expanding capacity to listen with the heart to the Word of God in all of life’s situations, leading to a more constant awareness of God’s presence. It is a listening as communication not so much for a particular message but for the nearness of the Living God. It is therefore a listening that leads to a new way of seeing. In this sense the faithful practice of lectio undergirds our entire life of prayer, work, and communion with others.
The repeated reading of the text until certain words and phrases call for attention. Sometimes footnotes in a good study bible (for example, the Jerusalem Bible) as well as cross references help here. This stage has often been compared to taking in food, as the first “eating” of the word of scripture.
The further “chewing” or ruminating on key words and phrases. One stays as long as one is so attracted to a word or phrase. At this stage the heart of the text for the reader should begin to emerge.
These key words and phrases of the text eventually lead the person to prayer inspired by the text and a growing awareness of God’s presence in Christ by the Spirit. This is the deep tasting of the text.
Eventually the particular words lead the reader beyond words to a silent awareness of God’s presence—simply an abiding or communing with God. This is the savoring of the sweetness of the Lord. Lectio is also enhanced when an oblate does scripture study and learns to consult good commentaries to support his or her reading. In this way the subtle nuances of a text will be more available to the reader. The oblate should try to do lectio as often as possible but at least once a week in preparation for Sunday Liturgy, using the readings for that Sunday.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).