Saturday, December 12, 2009

A "New" Lectio Divina?

I read a blog by Carl McColman, a spiritual writer whom I admire quite a bit - he seems to frequently have some very insightful things to say. His most recent blog, however, gave me some pause. He was talking about a new Paulist Press Bible that was designed specifically to help people pray lectio divina, an ancient form of prayer with Scripture. In short, it consists of four steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (reflecting), oratio (prayer / responding), and contemplatio (resting / contemplation). So far Mr. McColman and I agree that this would be a good thing. He goes on to express concern, however, that the ad for the Bible seems to indicate that there is "action" involved as the fourth step. Here are his words:

I nicked the following graphic from the Paulist Press website, where they are promoting their new Catholic Prayer Bible: Lectio Divina Edition. It’s coming out in a couple of months; and when I first heard about it, I was excited at the concept: a Bible designed to support the practice of lectio divina. Wow. I was looking forward not only to acquiring my own copy, but to selling it through the store where I work.
But then I saw this graphic, and my anticipation turned to dismay. Look at it carefully: it boldly pronounces to the world that the four step process of lectio consists of reading, reflection, prayer, and action.
Action?!?!?!
I don’t know about you, but the last time I checked what Guigo II had to say, the classical model of lectio consisted of these four steps: lectio, meditatio, oratio and contemplatio. Okay, so lectio is reading, meditatio can be interpreted as reflection, and oratio certainly is a key form of prayer.
But since when is contemplatio a code word for action?!?!?!? Have we as a culture become so frightened of contemplation that we have to re-invent the very spiritual practices that were designed to foster contemplation, so that they function as self-help programs instead?
Okay, I realize I’m reacting to an ad. Maybe this was designed by some overzealous undergraduate intern who doesn’t know any better. Maybe the actual Bible will retain the original understanding of lectio. One can hope.
But — if this ad is accurate and the commentary in this Bible really does re-invent lectio divina as some sort of spiritualized goal-setting exercise rather than as an invitation to contemplation, then I cannot in good conscience recommend this book. We shall see.

I can also agree with Mr. McColman that rejecting "contemplation" in favor of "action" would be too indicative of what is wrong with our action-oriented, hypercharged culture. On the other hand, I have advocated for adding a FIFTH step (talk about chutzpah!!) called operatio, or "work", or, keeping with the other "r" words, "re-engaging". It seems to me that as its own exercise, lectio divina is a fine form of praying with Scripture and of meditation / contemplation. My only objection always is that such contemplation should lead us back into the world, not as an escape from it. Proper contemplation of Scripture, it seems to me, calls us to ACT - we are claimed by the One who speaks to us in Scripture, and that claim demands action on our part. Leaving lectio divina (which I practice myself frequently, by the way) with the final step as contemplatio seems to me to leave it my heart and between me and God. I've never been comfortable with that - I always feel driven to take what insights I have had and to apply them to my life - to ACT.

I can sympathize with Mr. McColman's dismay if the entire emphasis is on developing some sort of "action plan" from practiciing lectio divina as if it is some sort of go-getter tool for success. Rather, I think that if the idea is to use lectio not only for private contemplation but for an impetus to build the Kingdom, then I'm all for it.