When we moved from work to retirement eight years ago, we moved to a farm and started tending a few cows. I had a lot to learn. The grass they eat is swallowed, goes into one of four stomachs, and is pushed back up for them to chew on again. When cows are sitting down on their haunches working their jaws up and down, they are chewing their cud. They seem to do this endlessly. Cow ruminate, they chew their cud.
So, when "Lectio Divina" speaks of reading and then reflecting, as in the sense of ruminating, I have a great visual. This spiritual discipline starts with reading a short portion of Scripture and then becoming focused on a much smaller part of it, like a phrase, or word. After the focus becomes clear, the next step is the reflection, as in the ruminating. It is like taking in a small amount of spiritual food and sitting with it, chewing on it again and again, and then swallowing it so that it can provide life giving nutrients for the soul. Reflection does not require a commentary or footnotes from the Bible. It is about taking the divine Word and then just chewing on it for a long, long time.
What is becoming apparent is that the spiritual discipline set forth by "Lectio Divina" is not for the hurried. It is to be entered into prayerfully and experienced slowly. The end result is to experience what it is to be in the presence of God where we not only speak to Him, but listen for His voice. But, the main focus of the discipline is to be in His presence for whatever purpose He may have in His mind and heart. "Lectio Divina" takes us away from seeking what our ego wants to seeking only what God wants for us.
So, when "Lectio Divina" speaks of reading and then reflecting, as in the sense of ruminating, I have a great visual. This spiritual discipline starts with reading a short portion of Scripture and then becoming focused on a much smaller part of it, like a phrase, or word. After the focus becomes clear, the next step is the reflection, as in the ruminating. It is like taking in a small amount of spiritual food and sitting with it, chewing on it again and again, and then swallowing it so that it can provide life giving nutrients for the soul. Reflection does not require a commentary or footnotes from the Bible. It is about taking the divine Word and then just chewing on it for a long, long time.
What is becoming apparent is that the spiritual discipline set forth by "Lectio Divina" is not for the hurried. It is to be entered into prayerfully and experienced slowly. The end result is to experience what it is to be in the presence of God where we not only speak to Him, but listen for His voice. But, the main focus of the discipline is to be in His presence for whatever purpose He may have in His mind and heart. "Lectio Divina" takes us away from seeking what our ego wants to seeking only what God wants for us.
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