Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is a time and tradition tested way of interacting with the written and living word of God. It is a time of sacred reading but also a time of listening. Below is one way to do Lectio Divina (not the only way) and I hope that it will help you to do as Mary did - take the Word in, ponder it in your heart, and allow it to transform you.
LECTIO: Choose a passage, then read slowly one time.
Begin with slowly reading a passage of Scripture. I suggest not using more than 8 verses. One way to do this is read the readings of the day and then seeing which one stirs your heart. Choose that passage for Lectio that day and read it slowly again apart from the other readings simply allowing the Word of God to wash over you.
After reading it one time, Pause.
(Yes, the pause is necessary!)
MEDITATIO: What stands out?
Read the Scripture passage again, this time listening for a word, phrase, or picture of the scene that stands out to you. This is God starting a conversation with you if you will. Let His highlight something to you. Hold that word/phrase/picture in prayer as you now Pause in His Presence a second time.
ORATIO and CONTEMPLATIO: Listen and Contemplate/Ponder
Read the passage a 3rd time. This time as you read ask the Lord why He highlighted this word/phrase/picture to you. This is where you slow down even more. This is the step of conversation - two way conversation! Questions to ask during this longer pause are:
Why are You pointing this out Lord?
What are You inviting me to notice?
What feelings are being stirred up?
(comfort, resistance, fear, welcome, joy, peace, contentment, challenge)
Is there a recent event that this relates to?
How are You encouraging me to respond?
What are You teaching me?
How are you asking me to respond?
Hang out here for a while. This is the time for true heart ot heart conversation with God. Then Pause ...yes again.
YES AND AMEN
The final part of Lectio that is vitally important is to pray. Read the Scripture passage one more time. Then take in the conversation you just had with God in the 3rd steps and now pray into them. If you found resistance to God's Word in your heart simply pray and ask Him for help. If you found comfort, thank God for His consolation. If you found silence, thank God for the time together and let Him know you will be back again tomorrow because He is worthy! If you found confusion, ask for guidance. In this step you are solidifying what God did during Lectio, taking a step back, and looking at it in wonder. If you do take this time daily you are going to notice great big beautiful fruit!