{"id":28254,"date":"2025-11-05T01:33:34","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T01:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/?p=28254"},"modified":"2025-11-12T02:28:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T02:28:00","slug":"listen-with-the-ear-of-your-heart-approaching-scripture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/?p=28254","title":{"rendered":"Listen with the ear of your Heart &#8211; Approaching Scripture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Approaching Scripture\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nX4ZrgNsBEQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-1ee7cd4f\"><h2 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><strong>1. Two Ways of Reading Scripture<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39116191798122acfd7ddce74cbef71c\">The Second Vatican Council affirmed two complementary ways of approaching the Scriptures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The <\/strong><strong>historical-critical way<\/strong>, and<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The <\/strong><strong>theological or spiritual way.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131247d8c1168e58b4c7151074090a37\"><strong><em>The Historical &#8211; Critical Way<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ab6c09d1322e14221c1fc45b3ee1c9b1\">This approach belongs to those with the academic training required to arrive at a literal understanding of the text. It studies the Scriptures as ancient writings, employing the disciplines of history, philology, and archaeology.<br>Its <strong>purpose<\/strong> is to discover what the biblical author intended to say in the context of his own time.<br>Its <strong>focus<\/strong> is the <em>past<\/em>, and it tends to speak more to the <em>intellect<\/em> than to the <em>heart<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-84eb00ae94b39dcebccccfde64c25ed9\">The literal sense that this method establishes must always be respected. Other ways of reading Scripture are not meant to challenge this literal sense but to draw out its deeper implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c40cc325c62c28d25a276dca387bdc3a\"><strong><em>The Spiritual or Theological Way<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c4f3e5e903436b350a2ce9241cfc7749\">The <strong>spiritual sense<\/strong> arises when the literal sense itself signifies something further. As the Pontifical Biblical Commission explains, it is \u201cthe meaning expressed by the biblical texts when read under the influence of the Holy Spirit, in the context of the paschal mystery of Christ and of the new life which flows from it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cf4f1e5c2a698deccdb625fabf7b5944\">The spiritual approach is rooted in prayerful reflection and a personal relationship with Jesus.<br>Its <strong>methodology<\/strong> is faith, openness, and receptivity to the Word.<br>Its <strong>focus<\/strong> is the <em>present<\/em>, aiming to move the <em>heart<\/em> rather than to enlighten the intellect. When read in this way, Scripture does not yield a single objective message for all, but a personal word that moves each disciple toward deeper conversion. Unless Scripture leads to transformation of life, this approach has not achieved its purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9fbbbafafdff92199169898cb13f5ad1\"><strong>2. The Word of God in the Life of the Church<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7dbf9252d1c646486b04452e7841ceee\"><strong>a. The Inspired Word<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1af53df38c8086ca655726607e2efd94\">The Church teaches that the Scriptures are <strong>inspired writings<\/strong>, received and recognised by the early Christian community as God\u2019s gift to the Church. They are the living, inspired <strong>presence of God<\/strong> among us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-da5290b38b0c42b2932f6877d620368e\">\u201cThe emperor of heaven \u2026 ardently has written you letters concerning your life, but still you neglect to read them. Study them, I beg you, and meditate daily on the words of your Creator.\u201d<br>&#8211; <em>Gregory the Great<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48e3ed9b9043c9189063d922cc847660\">\u201cThe Bible is the means by which God speaks daily to believers.\u201d<br>&#8211; <em>Jerome<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c8109b621cc79070817c530e1b25cc2a\">In the Scriptures we encounter <strong>the Word made flesh &#8211; Jesus Christ.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8431fc05b0b042d917a0dd8665776206\"><strong>b. The Disposed Heart<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b91bf46168cd00ce128832f11235d8c4\">To read Scripture spiritually requires a heart prepared by prayer and humility.<br>The deeper our union with Jesus, the more deeply we will appreciate the Scriptures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ef2c23ea88f43d65f0cceaad19f41a15\"><strong>c. Safeguards for Interpretation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e2917e0da25311095242c2dd48f972a1\">Some fear that a spiritual reading might lead to misinterpretation. The Second Vatican Council therefore proposed three principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Read each passage <strong>in <\/strong><strong>the context of the entire Bible.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take into account the <strong>living Tradition of the whole Church.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure that all interpretation <strong>harmonises with the truths of faith.<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-370dcbe4c2489baef60a93c5df33d1db\">What we draw from Scripture must always be seen within this broader context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4d6d7c9ab869c194f67a3bbf001a68fd\"><strong>3. Growing in Familiarity with Scripture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-100c3394975f107292472f2e026fed34\">Familiarity arises from <strong>frequent reading and listening<\/strong>.<br>If Scripture is the Lord\u2019s chosen way of reaching out to us, then time devoted to it is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a2daba759ea6986906e59372e1a3c0d8\">\u201cIgnorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.\u201d<br>&#8211; <em>Jerome<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ad9fd38343c2bda7449926c1dc752934\">This familiarity can be nourished even in daily tasks &#8211; listening while driving or working &#8211; so that Scripture gradually colours the mind and heart.<br>Like a cow chewing the cud, we return to the Word repeatedly until it becomes prayer.<br>Such familiarity allows the Word to surface naturally throughout the day and draw us into communion with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3f514ca7c0ea12411534543808a2198a\"><strong>4. <\/strong><strong><em>Lectio Divina<\/em><\/strong><strong> &#8211; Personal Practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53eb3f934ae069306c467a4566ded425\"><em>Lectio Divina<\/em> is an ancient Christian way of prayerfully reading the Scriptures, revived in recent times. The Carthusian monk <strong>Guigo II<\/strong> (c.1110-1193) articulated its classic fourfold pattern:<br><strong>reading<\/strong>, <strong>meditation<\/strong>, <strong>prayer<\/strong>, and <strong>contemplation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-810438aad4dc865975c8d44a9b85fd4a\"><strong>Key Clarifications from Guigo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Guigo describes not merely a method of prayer but a <strong>way of life<\/strong> in which Scripture becomes a continual presence, pondered through the day \u201cas a cow chews the cud.\u201d<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contemplation<\/strong> is not an immediate step following the other three; it is the <strong>goal<\/strong> toward which they lead.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Though <\/strong>Guigo did not list <em>application<\/em> as a separate stage, he insists that prayer is useless if it does not lead to action:<br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cd0b4fcd635e3a1e6476e3c23372fbe5\">\u201cIt is useless to discover what must be done unless we actually do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bf5b5007e69eb9b2343aadb05129d2a9\">Thus, the process may best be summarised as:<br><strong>Reading &#8211; Meditation &#8211; Prayer &#8211; Application<\/strong>, leading ultimately to <strong>Contemplation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a01283032a9f0671f3410302c2812399\">The <em>Cloud of Unknowing<\/em> reflects this same teaching:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-04ec541b995a961e4854e922ef74b1c1\">\u201cFor beginners and those a little advanced in contemplation, reading or hearing the word of God must precede pondering it; and without time given to serious reflection there will be no genuine prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66cbc4b7000b2e9b20b2465206013981\">In essence, <em>Lectio Divina<\/em> is a personal or communal reading of Scripture aimed at <strong>understanding, appreciation, appropriation, and transformation<\/strong>.<br>Its goal is to deepen our relationship with God in Christ and to shape our lives by His Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d735b27924044c5d32c6d174032a5080\"><strong>5. The Four Movements of <\/strong><strong><em>Lectio Divina<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-072f07858af714393ebe71deae3e2463\"><strong>a. Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b932a3b62b354a4b067c1d114f198442\">Read the passage attentively &#8211; the whole text, not merely isolated words.<br>Repeat it, read it aloud, mark it if helpful.<br>Note its characters, actions, and context.<br>Recall what you already know of this text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c5fe29be9fdc7540d6c0c6ee5e66d37c\">This is the foundation of your prayer.<br>A hurried or superficial reading cannot yield the fruit the Spirit desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9859dadae8c2e71dcc115f7407da4146\"><strong>b. Meditation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a2c34e0b11ec109af04e3254f430a8cf\">\u201cA necessary foundation to prayer is meditating and thinking on the great truths which God has revealed&#8230; These truths should become so familiar to us that we form no judgments except in their light.\u201d<br>&#8211; <em>F\u00e9nelon<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e69b9e5bb30aec145f749b0d440142ff\">Meditation engages the <strong>mind and heart<\/strong>.<br>Here the Word meets personal experience; we learn not only about God but about ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62a1b5e822304b03bc2da2d3cf0466f2\"><strong>Ask:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What does this text tell me about <strong>the <\/strong><strong>God who speaks<\/strong>?<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How should I <strong>respond<\/strong> to this God?<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What does it reveal about <strong>my <\/strong><strong>faith life<\/strong>?<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What must I <strong>do <\/strong><strong>to transform<\/strong> my faith life?<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-331fdd3bb4bd5f9c32d3cd6ab3c1ac48\">Before leaving meditation, <strong>choose a practical resolution<\/strong> that will help you grow in intimacy with Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8ef5f44c42bc5a7fdb4d3cf5fd04452a\"><strong>c. Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1e6c585c9ba7f1e48486052b6c773463\">Prayer naturally follows reflection.<br>Here we speak to God about what we have discovered and humbly ask for the grace to live it out. We recognise our dependence: without God\u2019s help we cannot progress in the life of faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c3248c0470ab43956da85d4318afba4a\"><strong>d. Application<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7f3313a080705b0c26987dbbfe655310\"><em>Lectio Divina<\/em> reaches fulfilment when the Word is <strong>applied<\/strong> to daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e77b9465adab5b8365777c0fa9e7bb4d\">\u201cWhat use is it to anyone if he sees in his meditation what is to be done unless the help of prayer and the grace of God enable him to achieve it?\u201d<br>&#8211; <em>Guigo II<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b32a0d973ec31fcd5a253e270764634e\">Before leaving your <em>Lectio<\/em>, choose a <strong>word, phrase, or sentence<\/strong> to carry with you through the day.<br>Recall it often &#8211; especially in moments when it relates to what you have resolved &#8211; so that it may strengthen your heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a230aab8216d5281457b5d5da0a27768\"><strong>6. <\/strong><strong><em>Lectio Divina<\/em><\/strong><strong> in Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c986f1cf913c81633f741e21a7016294\"><em>Lectio Divina<\/em> is often enriched when done <strong>together<\/strong>. The same pattern applies, but sharing brings new light and mutual encouragement. Each group will find its own rhythm; the following outline may assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opening Prayer<br><\/strong>All may pray together. Guigo\u2019s prayer is particularly suitable:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ecf492f2e6af1ccb95ab0ec4b4701e5a\"><em>\u201cLord Jesus, you are the Son of the living God;<br>teach me to listen to what you tell me in the Holy Scriptures<br>and to discover your face there.\u201d<\/em><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reading <\/strong><strong>the Text<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong> Each member may share what they noticed in the passage.<br>Often another\u2019s insight reveals something we have missed.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Meditation <\/strong><strong>and Sharing<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Members may respond to the four guiding questions above.<br>Each sharing is personal, not a discussion.<br>The atmosphere should remain prayerful and unforced.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prayer<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Each may express personal prayer arising from the text.<br>This often deepens mutual trust and unity in the group.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Action<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Members may share the word or phrase they have chosen to carry into their day, with or without explanation.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Closing <\/strong><strong>Prayer<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>A brief prayer of thanksgiving may conclude the meeting.<br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dfaeea10773a04434af47164668db7c7\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fa2904a1ef31c494ec8db2e37c899326\">To approach the Scriptures is to seek <strong>encounter with the living Word<\/strong>, Christ himself.<br>Historical study gives us understanding; prayerful reading gives us life.<br>Both belong within the one Church of faith.<br><br>The disciple who listens with heart and mind learns to say with the Psalmist: <br>\u201cYour word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.\u201d (Ps 119:105)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>by Bishop David Walker<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. Two Ways of Reading Scripture The Second Vatican Council affirmed two complementary ways of approaching the Scriptures: The Historical &#8211; Critical Way This approach belongs to those with the academic training required to arrive at a literal understanding of the text. It studies the Scriptures as ancient writings, employing the disciplines of history, philology, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":28255,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[92],"class_list":["post-28254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bishop-david-walker","tag-approaching-scripture"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear.png",1536,1024,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear-300x200.png",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear-768x512.png",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear-1024x683.png",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear.png",1536,1024,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear.png",1536,1024,false],"menu-24x24":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear-24x16.png",24,16,true],"menu-36x36":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear-36x24.png",36,24,true],"menu-48x48":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/listen-with-the-ear-48x32.png",48,32,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"David Walker","author_link":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/?author=4"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"1. Two Ways of Reading Scripture The Second Vatican Council affirmed two complementary ways of approaching the Scriptures: The Historical &#8211; Critical Way This approach belongs to those with the academic training required to arrive at a literal understanding of the text. It studies the Scriptures as ancient writings, employing the disciplines of history, philology,&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=28254"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28258,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28254\/revisions\/28258"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/28255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=28254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=28254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=28254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}