Each of us will find at one point in time a passage of Scripture that is difficult for us to accept because it goes against our preconceived notions, or even our world view. We might be tempted to walk away at times like this. Instead, we should be like Jacob wrestling with God. If we are open to wrestling with passages that are difficult for us, we will find ourselves being changed by what we read, and that can only be a good thing.
There is a method called Lectio Divina, or "divine reading", that helps elucidate what a passage of Scripture is saying to us at a given moment. There are many ways to use Lectio Divina. Here is a method I have developed, with the help of others, over many years:
- Take a verse or passage in Scripture. Read it out loud either with a group or just yourself.
- As the passage is read, look for a phrase that sticks out for you. Write that phrase down.
- Read the passage again.
- This time, pick a word that sticks out for you.
- Read the passage one last time.
- Based on this final reading and the phrase and word that have come to mind, reflect on what God might be saying to you through this passage of Scripture.
- If you are with a group, share and discuss what God is saying to each of you. Reflect on what God may be calling each of you to do, both individually and as a group