A Conversation with God: Discovering Lectio Divina

 

Have you ever wished you could have a real conversation with God? Not just talking at Him during prayers you've memorized, but actually listening and encountering Him personally?

That's exactly what Lectio Divina offers.

What Is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina (pronounced LEX-ee-oh dih-VEE-nah) is Latin for "divine reading" or "sacred reading." It's an ancient Christian practice of praying with Scripture that goes back to the early centuries of the Church. Think of it as a slow, contemplative way of reading the Bible where you're not trying to study it or analyze it—you're opening yourself to meet the God who speaks through it.

Saint Benedict made this prayer practice central to monastic life in the 6th century, but here's the beautiful truth: Lectio Divina isn't just for monks. It's for every Christian who wants to deepen their relationship with God through His living Word.

Why Does This Matter?

We live in a world of information overload. We're used to skimming articles, scrolling through social media, and consuming content at lightning speed. But God doesn't shout over the noise. He whispers. He waits. He invites.

Lectio Divina teaches us to slow down, to read with our hearts and not just our minds, and to give God space to speak into our lives. As the prophet Elijah discovered, God often comes not in the earthquake or the fire, but in the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).

When we practice Lectio Divina, we're essentially accepting God's invitation: "Come and see" (John 1:39).

The Four Movements of Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina isn't complicated. It follows a natural rhythm with four movements:

1. Lectio (Reading)
Read the Scripture passage slowly, perhaps even aloud. Don't rush. Let the words wash over you. You're not reading for information—you're listening for God's voice. What word, phrase, or image stands out to you?

2. Meditatio (Meditation)
Sit with the word or phrase that caught your attention. Turn it over in your mind like a precious stone, examining it from different angles. What is God saying to you through these words? How does this connect to your life right now?

3. Oratio (Prayer)
Respond to God. Talk to Him about what you've heard. This is the heart of the conversation. Share your joy, your struggles, your questions, your gratitude. Be honest. Be real. God can handle it all.

4. Contemplatio (Contemplation)
Rest in God's presence. This is where words fade and you simply abide with Him. You're not trying to think or do anything—just be. Let God love you. Receive whatever He wants to give you in this moment of silence.

An Ancient Practice for Modern Life

The early Church Fathers saw Scripture as more than words on a page. Saint Jerome wrote, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." When we practice Lectio Divina, we're not just learning about Jesus—we're encountering Him.

This ancient prayer practice has guided Christians for nearly 2,000 years, and it's perhaps more needed today than ever. In our fragmented, distracted age, Lectio Divina offers us a way to be present, to listen, and to meet the God who is always speaking, always inviting us deeper.

Your Invitation

God is speaking to you through His Word. He has something to say to you today—yes, you specifically. Something that addresses your joys, your struggles, your questions, your deepest longings.

The invitation is simple: Come and see.

Are you ready to begin the conversation?

Want to Pray But Don't Know Where to Start?

Have you ever wanted to pray but didn't know where to start?

Maybe you've tried praying before but felt like you were doing it "wrong." Or you're genuinely curious about faith but don't know how to take that first step. Or perhaps you grew up praying but somehow stopped along the way, and now it feels awkward—even a little embarrassing—to start again.

I get it. Prayer can feel intimidating.

For years, I knew about prayer. I'd heard of various prayer practices, including something called Lectio Divina, which kept coming up in Catholic circles. But honestly? I had no real idea what it actually was or how to do it. It sounded mysterious, maybe even a little complicated—like something for monks or "serious" Catholics, not regular people like me.

Then came January 2021. My wife and I spent a couple of months in Florida during the winter—kind of testing out what would become our new home. I came across an online Lenten retreat offered by the Diocese of St. Petersburg: "Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina."

That retreat changed everything for me. This ancient prayer practice—one that seemed so mysterious before—suddenly made complete sense. It wasn't complicated at all. It was just a beautiful, simple way to let Scripture speak directly to your heart.

Over the next couple of weeks, I want to share this practice with you. Whether you're a complete beginner to prayer or someone who's been at it for years but feels stuck, I think you'll find something life-giving here.

Let me show you how to start. 

Follow and stay tuned more to come.

#Prayer #Spirituality #Faith #CatholicFaith #Seeking

The Gift of Love Made Flesh

 

Last night at the Christmas Vigil at St. Vincent de Paul in Wildwood, our priest reminded us of something beautiful and challenging: we need to empty our hearts and invite Jesus in. We need to let go of the things that are burdening us to make room for Him.

On this holy Christmas morning, we celebrate the most profound truth of our faith: God loved us so much that He became one of us.

In that humble stable in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, infinite Love took on human flesh. The Creator of the universe made Himself vulnerable, small, dependent—all for love of you and me.

Jesus didn't arrive in royal splendor or overwhelming power. He came as a baby, inviting us to draw near without fear. This is the heart of Christmas: God's love isn't distant or abstract. It's intimate, tender, and personal.

But here's the beautiful paradox: just as Mary and Joseph found no room in the inn, we sometimes fill our hearts so full of worries, regrets, and burdens that there's no room for the Christ Child. Jesus knocks gently at the door of our hearts, but He won't force His way in. He waits for us to clear the clutter, to release what weighs us down, to make space for His love.

Today, as we gaze upon the Christ Child, we see Love gazing back at us. Every cry from that manger whispers, "I came for you." Every breath He takes proclaims, "You are worth dying for." The Son of God left heaven's glory because He wanted to be with us—to share our joys, our struggles, our very humanity.

This Christmas, let's receive the gift He offers: Himself. Jesus doesn't just love humanity in general—He loves you specifically, completely, eternally. He knows your name, your heart, your deepest longings.

What burdens are you carrying today? What worries, fears, or regrets need to be released? The infant Jesus stretches out His tiny hands to receive them all. Empty your heart and invite Him in.

As the angels sang "Glory to God in the highest," they announced peace to those whom God loves. That's us. That's you.

This Christmas Day, may you feel the warmth of God's love surrounding you like those swaddling clothes embraced the infant Jesus. May you know, deep in your soul, that you are God's beloved.

Merry Christmas! Emmanuel—God is with us!

Gratitude This Thanksgiving

 

        As we gather around tables laden with abundance this Thursday, Thanksgiving offers us a beautiful opportunity to pause and reflect on the deep wells of gratitude that flow through our Catholic faith. This uniquely American holiday resonates profoundly with the very heart of our spiritual tradition—the Eucharist itself, whose name means "thanksgiving."

The Eucharist: Our Ultimate Thanksgiving

Every time we participate in the Holy Mass, we engage in the ultimate act of thanksgiving. The Eucharist is not merely a ritual but our response to God's infinite love—a love made manifest in the Incarnation, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we approach the altar to receive our Lord in Holy Communion, we echo the sentiment that should fill our hearts this Thanksgiving: profound gratitude for gifts we could never deserve or earn on our own.

Saint Paul reminds us, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This isn't a call to be thankful only when life is easy, but to cultivate a spirit of gratitude that endures through both abundance and trial.

Counting Our Blessings

As Catholics, we're called to see our blessings through the lens of faith:

Family and Community: The domestic church of our families mirrors the unity of the Holy Trinity. Even imperfect and sometimes challenging, our families are schools of love where we learn to give of ourselves as Christ gave Himself for us.

Daily Bread: When we pray the Our Father, we ask for our "daily bread"—not luxury, not excess, but what we need for today. Thanksgiving reminds us that every meal, every provision, comes from the generous hand of our Father in heaven.

Trials and Growth: Our faith teaches us that even our crosses can be sources of thanksgiving when we unite them with Christ's suffering. The difficulties that have shaped us into who we are today—these too are gifts that have drawn us closer to God.

The Communion of Saints: We're never alone. We give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses who intercede for us, for the example of the saints who have gone before us, and for the universal Church that connects us across time and space.

Living the Eucharist Every Day

In a homily Pope Francis delivered in 2013, he reminded us that "a Eucharistic life is one of thanksgiving, not of complaining." How might we carry the spirit of Thanksgiving beyond this one day?

• Begin each morning with a prayer of gratitude, offering the day to God
• Practice the examen each evening, recognizing God's presence in the day's moments
• Say grace before meals with intention, not merely habit
• Keep a gratitude journal, noting three blessings each day
• Share your abundance generously with those in need

A Prayer for Thanksgiving

Gracious and loving Father, we come before You with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving. Thank You for the gift of faith, for the Church that guides us, for the sacraments that nourish us, and especially for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave everything for our salvation.

Bless the food we share, the families we gather with, and the memories we create. Please help us be mindful of those who suffer, are lonely, or lack the necessities of life. Make us instruments of Your generosity.

May the gratitude we feel on this day overflow into every day of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Invitation to Grateful Living

This Thanksgiving, as we give thanks for turkey and traditions, let's remember to give our deepest thanks for the greatest gift: God's love poured out for us in Christ Jesus. May our celebration be a foretaste of that heavenly banquet where we will give thanks and praise forever.

What are you most grateful for this Thanksgiving? How has your Catholic faith shaped your understanding of gratitude? I invite you to share your reflections in the comments below.

Happy Thanksgiving! May God bless you and yours abundantly.