Contemplatio: The Last Step of Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is a four-step prayer method that uses reading and meditation on the Holy Scriptures to create a bond with God. The fourth and final step of Lectio Divina is a phase of contemplation, of adoration. After reading and meditating on the word of God (Lectio and Meditatio), and answering to the Divine message with prayer (Oratio), it is now time to enter communion with God. Step by step throughout the first phases of Lectio Divina, you grew closer and closer to the Lord. With Contemplatio, you have reached a point where you can contemplate Him better, in silence, with all your heart. 

What is Contemplatio?

“O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely (...)” (Song of Solomon 2:14).

Contemplatio is the last phase of the Lectio Divina process. You have listened to the Lord, and you have answered Him: this exchange has placed you in the presence of your Creator. The final step Contemplatio elevates your soul to reach the Father. You are now resting in His arms. Since you committed your will to God’s, you have given yourself entirely to Him and can enter adoration

How to Practice Contemplatio?

Offer Yourself to the Lord

The steps before Contemplatio are meant to help you prepare your heart to invite God and make your desires compatible with His. There are no rules to the last step: you only have to abandon yourself completely, to create silence within. If you are having trouble reaching inner peace, you can let yourself be guided by a quote from the Bible, focus your thoughts on an image or on the flame on a candle.

Accept God’s Gift

We are ready to welcome love’s loving presence in our hearts. It is a gift, given to us without conditions. Sometimes during Lectio Divina, we can feel the joy of His presence. Other times (and that can be frequent), we might feel nothing at all. However, you should not let yourself be discouraged by these moments. If you could receive this gift automatically, it would no longer be free!

So, keep your heart open, even when you don’t feel God’s presence. Make sure that the Father and the Son are always welcome. You will grow as a Christian with patience, faith, and humility. 

Invite the Lord into Your Heart with Hozana!

Hozana helps you grow your faith and practice daily prayer by offering you to join a wide variety of spiritual programs. Discover the many prayer communities dedicated to helping you invite God’s presence into your life: enrich your oratory content by learning to pray with the Bible in a week and enjoy a time of quiet and peace by reading and meditating on the Daily Gospel. Pray this powerful novena to the Holy Spirit and invite its loving presence into your life.