Let´s search by reading

Translated from the original by Ana Giménez.

LECTIO DIVINA

In the 11th Century a Carthusian monk called Guigo II summarized a way of praying from the Word of God practised by the monks during the 1^st millennium. From the very beginning of monastic life, they used to combine liturgical prayer with mental prayer (Lectio divina)

The steps to mental prayer are:

Reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation

Guigo´s explanation is very simple ”Reading look for the indescribable delight of blessed life, meditation finds it, prayer asks for it, contemplation savours it” Or this other quotation, while talking about Mt 7:7 “Let´s search by reading, you´ll find while meditating; call in your prayer, and you will find while contemplating” This simple method is used throughout the 2^nd millennium and is spread among lay persons. It reaches Teresa through the Carthusians, Landulfo de Sajonia´s work (14^th century) published -by the queen´s confessor Ambrosio Montesinos- in Romance language in four volumes.

Teresa´s reading of the Gospels will be decisive: 

“I have always been fond of the words of the Gospels and have found more recollection in them than in the most carefully planned books — especially books of which the authors were not fully approved, and which I never wanted to read” (The Way of Perfection 21.4)

Following the four steps suggested by Church and confirmed by the Second Vatican Council, it will be of great support for our spiritual life to read the Gospels directly- taking notes of those words, movements and teachings from Jesus Christ.