de Wahl, Esther, A Life-Giving Way, A Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1995, Chapter 47-48). Laurel Simon Through Esther de Wahl’s personal interpretation and lived experience of the Rule of St. Benedict, she is able to render contemporary meaning to Benedict’s instruction in the Prologue of the Rule to listen with the ear of the heart. In her translation of Chapter 48 of the Rule, De Wahl clearly describes “prayerful reading,” the process of lectio divina.
Earle, Mary C., Broken body, Healing Spirit: Lectio Divina and Living with Illness (New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2003). Through the experience of illness, Earle found that the practice of lectio divina nourished the life and spirit of her body. As she read her life and her illness as the “text” for her lectio, Earle began to experience how God was present in the daily events of her life. This book is an excellent help in learning how to pray the scriptures with a particular focus on physical illness and it has been used effectively with young people.
Hall, Thelma, Too Deep for Words (New York: Paulist Press, 1988). An excellent text for beginners and a refreshing approach for those experienced in Lectio Divina. Hall draws from Merton, St John of the Cross and other spiritual masters but never loses sight of the fundamental essence of lectio as a developing love relationship with God. It is a short but satisfying book (56 pages), something to return to time and again. At the end of the book are 500 scriptural texts organized under themes.
Keating, Thomas, The Ancient Monastic Practice of Lectio Divina (Contemplative Outreach News, Winter, 1998). Short essay explaining the difference between Scholastic and Monastic methods; the theological basis for the practice; and touching on the relationship between Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. Click here to download the article from the Contemplative Outreach website.
Merton, Thomas, Opening the Bible (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1986). Merton helps us examine our approach to the word of God and warns us that the very nature of the Bible is to challenge, confront and even astonish us. It does something to anyone who really hears it: it transforms one’s entire existence.
Miller, Robert J., Fire in the Deep (Franklin, Wisconsin: Sheed and Ward, 2001). Using the Sunday readings from the lectionary, Cycle A, Fr. Miller helps us listen to God’s Word as to a faithful companion on our journey in becoming who we are. He warns us “Do not read this book unless you are willing to have the transforming fire of God’s spirit reshape every thought, desire, and motivation of your entire being!” The introductory chapter explains how to use Lectio Divina in your prayer life.
Pennington, Basil, Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures (New York: The Crosswords Press, 1998). An informative and practical guide in which Pennington defines Lectio as a means whereby we converse with God and cultivate the art of letting our Divine Friend speak to us through his inspired Word.
Rohr, Richard, Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality (Cincinnati, OH: St Anthony Messenger Press, 2008). An exploration of central themes of the bible, pointing to a new and vital meaning in these texts, relevant and essential for modern Christians. “Only when inner and outer authority come together, do we have true spiritual wisdom. We have for too long insisted on outer authority alone, without any teaching of prayer, inner journey and maturing consciousness. The results for the world and for religion have been disastrous. I offer these reflections to again unite what should never have been separated: sacred Scripture and Christian spirituality.
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