Lectio Divina as a Sacred Pause

There are moments in our day when we sense that something within us is stirring. It could be an emotion, a memory, a sensation, or a desire. Sometimes it’s clear, while other times it’s just a flicker. In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, we learn to gently notice these inner movements without judgment.

In Catholic spirituality, noticing has long been a practice in one particular form of prayer and contemplation: Lectio Divina.

Lectio Divina is a way of praying with Scripture that invites us to slow down, listen deeply, and allow the Word of God to speak personally into our lives. It's a practice, when done with intention, which invites us to pay attention. Noticing what stands out in the text. Noticing what stirs within us in response. Noticing where God may be gently whispering.

This is not an intellectual exercise. It’s a way of saying to God, “I’m here. I’m listening. Show me what you want me to see.” Lectio can be a daily place not just to read the Word, but to practice noting the Word’s effect in our body, mind, and soul. To let our thoughts, emotions, and spiritual movements rise and to observe them, name them, and hold them in God’s presence.

Practice Noticing with God

I invite you to practice this using this week's Sunday Gospel. Providentially, I was writing this over the weekend where we meet Martha and Mary at their home, hosting Jesus. Jesus will encourage Martha to slow down. To be present, if you will.

Below are the four traditional steps of Lectio, with the passage of the Gospel between each. As you read, pay attention to what you notice - it could be a sensation in your body, a shift in your feelings, or something in your mind. There is no right or wrong thing to sense. The most important thing is to not force the experience, but to see what stands out without making an effort to think or feel a certain thing.

Take a moment to get comfortable and turn off any distractions. When you are ready, take a moment to connect with God. Maybe praying the phrase: "Come Holy Spirit."

Lectio

Read the passage slowly and meditatively, either aloud or silently. Try to put yourself in the scene and visualize the people, time, and place.

Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village

where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.

She had a sister named Mary

who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,

"Lord, do you not care

that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?

Tell her to help me."

The Lord said to her in reply,

"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

There is need of only one thing.

Mary has chosen the better part

and it will not be taken from her."

Meditatio

Read the passage again and focus on a word or phrase that speaks to you. You can try repeating the word or phrase in your head or out loud.

Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village

where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.

She had a sister named Mary

who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,

"Lord, do you not care

that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?

Tell her to help me."

The Lord said to her in reply,

"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

There is need of only one thing.

Mary has chosen the better part

and it will not be taken from her."

Oratio

Read the passage a third time and consider what God is saying to you. You can also think about what you want to say to God and what feelings the passage evokes.

Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village

where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.

She had a sister named Mary

who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,

"Lord, do you not care

that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?

Tell her to help me."

The Lord said to her in reply,

"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

There is need of only one thing.

Mary has chosen the better part

and it will not be taken from her."

Contemplatio

Read the passage a final time and rest in God's presence. Consider what gift God has given you and what action he might be inviting you to take.

Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village

where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.

She had a sister named Mary

who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,

"Lord, do you not care

that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?

Tell her to help me."

The Lord said to her in reply,

"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

There is need of only one thing.

Mary has chosen the better part

and it will not be taken from her."

I always like to close my time in Lectio with a Glory Be, but any way you feel called to thank God for being with you is a great choice. And don't worry if that was hard, you got distracted, or you rushed through. Lectio is an advanced form of prayer, which requires practice focusing attention and staying in a quiet place for awhile. We are not good at this anymore as humans. So before you go, thank God for the gift of your humanity and for the process of learning!