Lectio continua
Encyclopedia
In Christianity
, Lectio continua (Latin for continuous reading) refers to the practice of reading Scripture in sequence over a period of time. Each reading (which may take place every day or every Sunday) etc. begins where the previous session ended. For instance, every Sunday a section of the Bible
can be read such that each reading resumes where the previous one ended.
The practice of lectio semi-continua may skip some passages in the sequence, while lectio select follows a selected sequence of passages in a specific order.
The use of "lectio selecta" goes back to the Jewish traditions that pre-date Christianity and Luke 4:16-21 refers to the practice reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah on the Sabbath when Jesus visits a synagogue.
In Early Christianity
a practice developed to read the Scripture every Sunday or read specific sections of Scripture during festivals in a yearly sequence, and the sequences used for lectio continua and lectio selecta were established over the centuries.
The term lectio divina
is distinct from this practice and refers to stages of Christian meditation
contemplative prayer based on the reading of the Bible
. However, lectio divina dos not need to follow a sequence in the book, and focuses mostly on the meditative aspects.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, Lectio continua (Latin for continuous reading) refers to the practice of reading Scripture in sequence over a period of time. Each reading (which may take place every day or every Sunday) etc. begins where the previous session ended. For instance, every Sunday a section of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
can be read such that each reading resumes where the previous one ended.
The practice of lectio semi-continua may skip some passages in the sequence, while lectio select follows a selected sequence of passages in a specific order.
The use of "lectio selecta" goes back to the Jewish traditions that pre-date Christianity and Luke 4:16-21 refers to the practice reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah on the Sabbath when Jesus visits a synagogue.
In Early Christianity
Early Christianity
Early Christianity is generally considered as Christianity before 325. The New Testament's Book of Acts and Epistle to the Galatians records that the first Christian community was centered in Jerusalem and its leaders included James, Peter and John....
a practice developed to read the Scripture every Sunday or read specific sections of Scripture during festivals in a yearly sequence, and the sequences used for lectio continua and lectio selecta were established over the centuries.
The term lectio divina
Lectio Divina
In Christianity, Lectio Divina is a traditional Catholic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's Word...
is distinct from this practice and refers to stages of Christian meditation
Christian meditation
Christian meditation is a form of prayer in which a structured attempt is made to get in touch with and deliberately reflect upon the revelations of God. The word meditation comes from the Latin word meditārī, which has a range of meanings including to reflect on, to study and to practice...
contemplative prayer based on the reading of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. However, lectio divina dos not need to follow a sequence in the book, and focuses mostly on the meditative aspects.