Lectio Divina Bible Study
Stephen Binz
In his recent exhortation Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI strongly encouraged the practice of lectio divina. No less than sixteen times did he encourage Catholics to embrace this form of meditation which involves prayer, study, and action:
“Devote yourself to the lectio of the divine Scriptures; apply yourself to this with perseverance. Do your reading with the intent of believing in and pleasing God….By applying yourself in this way to lectio divina, search diligently and with unshakable trust in God for the meaning of the divine Scriptures, which is hidden in great fullness within.” – Verbum Domini, 86
In a new series, Catholic Scripture scholar Stephen Binz helps Catholics master this powerful way of engaging the Bible. His new Lectio Divina Bible Study so far includes three volumes:
- The Mass in Scripture (OSV, paperback, 192 pages)
- The Sacraments in Scripture (OSV, paperback, 128 pages)
- Learning to Pray in Scripture (OSV, paperback, 183 pages)
A fourth volume on the Creed will also be published in September. Each book leads you through the same, five-fold lectio divina pattern: listening, understanding, reflecting, praying, and acting. The chapters begin with a biblical passage, then help you reflect on it through personal, historical, and theological insights.
With rave endorsements from people like Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, and Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, along with several other pastors and scholars, these books are a wonderful way to follow Pope Benedict’s advice and jumpstart your own Scripture meditation.