Reading To Live
The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina
Reading To Live
The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina
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Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 9780879072315
Number of Pages: 280
Published: 01/12/2009
Width: 14 cm
Height: 21.6 cm
Lectio divina, the ancient practice of prayerful reading, is a font whose waters are waiting to quench the thirst of spiritual seekers, both beginners on the spiritual journey and experienced travelers. The art of holy reading transforms lives. Through the practice of lectio individuals and communities discover God's living word addressed to them in their particular now," to enlighten, challenge, encourage, and suggest.
Reading to Live traces the practice of lectio divina from its roots in the ascetic movement in the early church and monasticism to its rediscovery in recent times. The benefits lectio brings become clear as Origen, Augustine, Bernard, and many others throughout history testify to its power in their lives. Modern commentators from a variety of disciplines spell out lectio's potential for the world of the twenty-first century.
This book invites people of all faiths to embrace the Venerable practice of lectio divina. It provides abundant creative testimonies to its practice and to its life-changing effects.
Raymond Studzinski, OSB, a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, is an associate professor in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington DC, where he teaches courses on religious development and spirituality.
Contents
Preface ix
Abbreviations xiii
CHAPTER ONE
The Problem of Spiritual Illiteracy 1
Various Approaches to Reading 5
Digital Text 8
The Printed Book 10
Scholastic Text 12
The Monastic Book 14
A Method of Retrieval 17
CHAPTER TWO
The Art of Lectio Divina: Beginning of a Christian Spiritual Practice 20
Judaism and Religious Reading 22
Beginning of a Christian Approach to Reading 26
Origen, the Master Reader 28
CHAPTER THREE
The Spread of a Christian Practice 59
Women Scholar-Readers 61
Augustine, Reading, and the Self 74
CHAPTER FOUR
The Evolution and Regularization of a Practice 93
The Desert Tradition 94
Early Eastern Cenobitic Forms of Monasticism 108
Cassian and Western Monasticism 115
Rule of Saint Benedict, Rule of the Master, and Reading 122
CHAPTER FIVE
The Ups and Downs of a Practice 140
Eleventh- and Twelfth-Century Reform 141
Bernard of Clairvaux 146
Hugh of St. Victor and the Didascalicon 161
Guigo II and The Ladder of Monks 166
The Eclipse of Lectio 172
CHAPTER SIX
The Revival of a Practice 177
Toward a Revival of Bible Reading 179
The Revival of Lectio Divina 192
The Phenomenology of Reading and Lectio Divina 200
Social Science, Psychology, and Lectio Divina 203
Theological Perspectives, Narrative, and Lectio Divina 209
Learning Lectio Divina Today 213
Lectio as Actualizing the Word 215
Lectio as Group Activity 218
CONCLUSION
Lectio: The Once and Future Practice 220
Bibliography 223
Index 256
Preface ix
Abbreviations xiii
CHAPTER ONE
The Problem of Spiritual Illiteracy 1
Various Approaches to Reading 5
Digital Text 8
The Printed Book 10
Scholastic Text 12
The Monastic Book 14
A Method of Retrieval 17
CHAPTER TWO
The Art of Lectio Divina: Beginning of a Christian Spiritual Practice 20
Judaism and Religious Reading 22
Beginning of a Christian Approach to Reading 26
Origen, the Master Reader 28
CHAPTER THREE
The Spread of a Christian Practice 59
Women Scholar-Readers 61
Augustine, Reading, and the Self 74
CHAPTER FOUR
The Evolution and Regularization of a Practice 93
The Desert Tradition 94
Early Eastern Cenobitic Forms of Monasticism 108
Cassian and Western Monasticism 115
Rule of Saint Benedict, Rule of the Master, and Reading 122
CHAPTER FIVE
The Ups and Downs of a Practice 140
Eleventh- and Twelfth-Century Reform 141
Bernard of Clairvaux 146
Hugh of St. Victor and the Didascalicon 161
Guigo II and The Ladder of Monks 166
The Eclipse of Lectio 172
CHAPTER SIX
The Revival of a Practice 177
Toward a Revival of Bible Reading 179
The Revival of Lectio Divina 192
The Phenomenology of Reading and Lectio Divina 200
Social Science, Psychology, and Lectio Divina 203
Theological Perspectives, Narrative, and Lectio Divina 209
Learning Lectio Divina Today 213
Lectio as Actualizing the Word 215
Lectio as Group Activity 218
CONCLUSION
Lectio: The Once and Future Practice 220
Bibliography 223
Index 256
I found the inner portion of the book fascinating, exciting, and informative far beyond my expectation. Indeed, if I have any criticism of this work it is that the title makes it sound like much more of a dry academic tome than in fact it is. This brief and highly accessible book is a treasure trove of information, old and new, for anyone interested in the centrality of scripture in the life of the individual believer and the ongoing worship life of the Christian community.John N. Brittain, OSL, Professor of Religion and Dean of the Chapel Houghton College This book was worth waiting for. When you read this book you wil see that, for those formators who want to know what they are doing when they are doing it, this is an indispensable compendium for teaching lectio.Cistercian Studies Quarterly The author's text is clear and well researched, its tone quiet and unobtrusive, but somehow the whole is inspirational: 'If those people could learn to read, so can I!'American Benedictine Review Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina dives into the art of prayer reading, and the discussion of God's living word. Speaking of the art's spiritual benefits to its practitioner, Raymond Studzinski offers much insight into lectio divina and gives a very highly recommended look into its historical origins and modern practice. Reading to Live is a top pick for religious collections, very highly recommended.The Midwest Book Review
