Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures - Softcover

M. Basil Pennington

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0824517369 ISBN 13: 9780824517366

Publisher: Independent Publishers Group, 1998

Synopsis

Lectio divina is letting our Divine Friend speak to us through his inspired and inspiring Word, according to M. Basil Pennington, the late priest, retreat master, and prominent lecturer in the Centering Prayer movement. This ancient Christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and fidelity. Father Pennington sets the process of praying the Scriptures in the context of meditation, contemplation, compassion, and action. He calls it a way of friendship wherein we pay attention to the love letters from the Lord. Lectio, as a satisfying mental and emotional experience, can be enhanced by reading different translations of the Bible, using commentaries, participating in Bible study groups, and using the resources of Scripture-oriented websites.

About this title

Product Description:

Prayer

Review:

In this day of widespread interest in spiritual reading, the practice of lectio divina (literally, 'divine reading') has sparked renewed interest among Catholics who have reclaimed their ancient contemplative heritage and among those generally interested in prayer and meditation. In the first millennium, when a majority of people were unable to read for themselves, lectio divina involved hearing passages from the Bible during church services or sometimes being given a word or phrase by a spiritual mentor. Pennington, a Trappist monk and author of books on centering prayer, monastic life, and Thomas Merton, emphasizes the experiential aspects of the practice, noting that the intent is not to study Bible passages for knowledge but to deepen awareness of God's presence. Suitable for theological collections and large public libraries. --Library Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Independent Publishers Group
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0824517369
• ISBN 13: 9780824517366
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 184