Being a morning person, I routinely get up before the sun does. I praise God for this quietest of times. After preparing my first cup of coffee, I begin focusing on God.

The Lectio Divina, divine reading, is something I’ve been doing (or trying to do) daily since midsummer of 2008. On days where I have more time I begin my morning by opening the Scriptures and the Book of Common Prayer. Ideally, I light a candle and incense and begin to pray. I start, as usual with the Sign of the Cross. I pray a portion of Psalm 51, one of the Penitential Psalms, followed by the Psalm or Psalms of the day according to the Daily Office Lectionary. I pray the Gloria Patri after each.

Then I read the Old Testament and Epistle for the day each followed by an appropriate canticle for the day.

Next, I begin to read the Gospel portion of the day slowly and prayerfully, absorbing the Word. I try to focus purely on the situation or lesson being portrayed. I place myself in it. I see myself in that place and time. I seek to experience it. This is the step called lectio, the reading.

The second part is meditatio, meditation. This is where I personalize the Gospel. I focus on the details of the entire passage or just a few words as the Spirit leads me. I concentrate on the meaning or meanings. I think of what God may desire for me in this.

The third is oratio, prayer. Here I verbalize my thoughts to God. I ask what needs to be asked. I always keep in mind the majesty and glory of the Almighty and what a miracle it is to by grace be given the opportunity for intimate communion with the Heavenly Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The final step is contemplatio, contemplation. This is where “I” dissolves into “Him”. In other words, this is the daily Sabbatism: a miniaturized version of the Rest in God’s presence as described in the Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 4. Keeping silence and contemplating the infinite love of God.

After this, I pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, affirm the Apostles’ Creed, and pray the Collect or Collects of the Day.

Ending with the Sign of the Cross, I enter my day in this world with a refreshed and renewed attitude to face whatever challenges the world has to offer with the inner peace of God.

Of course, this is a long process that could take an hour or more. On days where time is short, it’s only necessary to begin with the Sign of the Cross. Then pray to the Holy Spirit, read the Gospel passage, and follow the process. It might be a good idea to set an alarm so as to not run late.

Not everyone is an early bird, just as I am not a night owl. So I can understand how it’s difficult for some to practice this in the morning. There are so many ways to find opportunity for this intimate connection with God and His Word. Ideally, it should be “alone time”.

I believe that individual commitment and worship is just as important as community responsibility and communal worship. The ancient practice of Lectio Divina has vastly improved my personal relationship with God and has served as a catalyst to reinforce the faith and Christ-like qualities within me.

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