9 THE GIFT OF BEING

THE GIFT OF BEING

The fourth movement of lectio is called contemplatio, which is Latin for “contemplation.” While the whole process of lectio divina is considered contemplative prayer, contemplatio is the culmination of the previous three movements and the time when we enter more deeply into a state of being with God. In contemplation the invitation is to slow ourselves down even further, release all the words, thoughts, images, memories, and invitations that have emerged in our prayer, and rest even more deeply into the presence of God, simply relishing the gift of being. In contemplation we surrender ourselves into the presence of the One who is the source of all. The stillness of heart to which we are called in contemplative prayer is not a void or an absence of sound, but a rich and vibrant presence…

Taken from Lectio Divina the Sacred Art by Christine Valters Painter