In June we looked at the Spiritual Practice of Examen and how it can help us in listening to God’s activity in our own lives and the lives of those in our congregations. In July, the practice of Centering Prayer helped us create space and time to simply listen to what God might have to say to us. For August, I’d like to offer up the practice of Lectio Divina as a way to help us listen to our neighbors.
Lectio Divina means “divine reading” and is an ancient practice of praying the scriptures. During Lectio Divina, we listen to the text of the Bible with the “ear of the heart.” In his book “Reaching Out,” Henri Nouwen writes about Lectio Divina this way;
“Instead of taking the words apart we should bring them together in our innermost being; instead of wondering if we agree or disagree, we should wonder which words are directly spoken to us and connect directly with our most personal story.”
Choosing a passage for Lectio can be as simple as using a passage printed in the bulletin from Sunday’s worship or a bible reading from your favorite daily devotion. Lectio follows these steps:
- Lectio — “Read.” Listen to the passage being read. There is something very different that happens when we LISTEN to scripture versus READING scripture. I know I drive people crazy when I am asked to preach because before I read the Gospel text I invite the congregation to set their bulletin down and HEAR the word of the Lord. During this part of the practice the key is to just listen for one word or phrase and then spend one minute in silence.
- Meditatio — “Reflection.” Listen to the passage being read again. Did the same word or phrase grab your attention? Follow up this reading with another minute of silence and ponder how this word or phrase makes you feel.
- Oratio — “Respond.” Listen to the passage being read again. Follow up this reading with another minute of silence and wonder about what God might be wanting you to do with this word or phrase. What is going on in your life right now that God is speaking directly to you through this one word?
- Contemplatio — “Rest.” This time of rest is a wonderful opportunity to take the word or phrase you heard from God and sit with it for an extended period of time.
I’d like to offer up this spiritual practice as a way of listening to our neighborhoods. Luke Edwards of The Listening Church has modified this practice into what he calls “Lectio Vicinitas,” or “Listening to our Neighborhoods.”
You can use his document for practicing this divine listening as you walk around your neighborhood.
If you are in a rural context Luke Edwards also created this Lectio Vicinitas for listening while driving around your community.
What might it look like if we all practiced reading our neighborhoods the way God reads us? Who knows what redemptive work the Holy Spirit might bring about as we encounter our neighbors with the “ears of our heart?” May these practices and resources bless your listening as we all get more curious about what God is up to in the lives of our neighbors and may they experience our listening as the love of Jesus.
Yours in Christ,
Deacon Jason