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Title: Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina by Michael Casey ISBN: 0-89243-891-6 Publisher: Liguori Publications Pub. Date: 01 April, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Companion to the Scriptures and Church Fathers
Comment: I read this book during the first two weeks of Lent, and it has born fruit in helping me read Scripture more reverently.
Fr. Casey starts by contrasting modern literacy with the monastic experience: we are surrounded by words (e.g., wander around the immensity of Amazon's website!) and much of the content is in soundbites. We get quick news summaries, advertisements, and so forth, which can be often read in a few minutes or less. Medieval monasteries would often only have a relative handful of books, which were often hand-copied over a period of years. If the monastery were to get a new book, it had to be for the ages, of great importance.
Fr. Casey is quite balanced in that he does not suggest that the Medieval times were necessarily balanced--he is just as happy for modern ages as anyone--but says that we can learn from this older, slower way of reading. Following this perspective, he takes us through the discipline of lectio divina, "sacred reading", and the pattern of slow, reflective reading.
The book challenges, as Casey is supportive of St. Benedict's maxim that once you select a book for lectio divina, that you follow through till the end, and not switch books in the middle. This is to respect that Biblical texts are often structured in unfamiliar ways, and the full meaning does not come out till you finish the book. It is also to stay humble: we are not going to cut off God's word when it is convenient, but let it take us where it wants while we journey with a particular book of Scripture.
That said, there is an entire chapter on various distractions and barriers that people may encounter while prayerfully reading Scripture--Fr. Casey is clear that this book is not Gospel itself, and that different people will need to adapt his ideas to their own lives. Like a good athletic training, he wants us to push ourselves and grow, but does take into account individual circumstances and limitations.
Casey gives a number of references for good study Bible editions and other English-language books and commentaries, giving one some concrete starting positions as well as good general advice.
On the whole, I found him a very balanced, friendly guide, and recommend this to people who want to read the Bible more deeply and prayerfully.
Rating: 4
Summary: Scholarly and Thorough Treatment of the Practice of Lectio
Comment: Father Casey's book is a thorough and scholarly walk through the history and contemporary significance of the practice of Lection Divina; almost too much so for the beginner who wishes to learn how to incorporate the practice into his/her prayer or meditation. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good treatise on the subject, albeit perhaps a little too regimented and "monastic" for me... for instance, his insistance that the practitioner of Lectio work their way slowly through one biblical book rather than attempt to target meaningful texts, strikes me as a little over-controlling; applicable to a serious monastic maybe, but for us regular folks who are just interested in deepening our practice, a gentler technique may be just as useful. A great book for beginning inquiry into Lectio is S. Thelma Hall's "Too Deep For Words"; then tackle this book as you investigate more deeply.
Rating: 4
Summary: An excellent choice
Comment: I have underlined half of the words in this book! It was very readable, pertinent and usable as a guide to strengthening my connection with God and his Holy Word. Casey offers a very interesting history of lectio divina; however, practicality is what sparkles in this book. No longer intimidating, lectio divina will henceforth be practiced in my home.
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Title: Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer by Michael Casey ISBN: 0892438908 Publisher: Liguori Publications Pub. Date: 01 April, 1996 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina by Thelma Hall ISBN: 0809129590 Publisher: Paulist Press Pub. Date: 01 May, 1988 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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Title: Praying the Bible: An Introduction to Lectio Divina by Mariano Magrassi, Edward Hagman ISBN: 0814624464 Publisher: Liturgical Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 1998 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: A Guide to Living in the Truth: Saint Benedict's Teaching on Humility by Michael Casey ISBN: 0764807390 Publisher: Liguori Publications Pub. Date: 01 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures by M. Basil Pennington ISBN: 0824517369 Publisher: Crossroad Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 August, 1998 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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