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Lectio continua
open-in-new
<p>In <a href="/facts/Christianity/nKyJHlqq">Christianity</a>, Lectio continua (Latin for <i>continuous reading</i>) refers to the practice of reading <a href="/facts/Scripture/H2HjQEYv">Scripture</a> 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 <a href="/facts/Bible/SqkRTKCh">Bible</a> can be read such that each reading resumes where the previous one ended. </p><p>The practice of <i>lectio semi-continua</i> may skip some passages in the sequence, while <i><a href="/facts/Lectionary/dsPDGTog">lectio selecta</a></i> follows a selected sequence of passages in a specific order. </p><p>The use of <i>lectio selecta</i> goes back to the Jewish traditions that pre-date Christianity. Luke 4:16–21 refers to the practice reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah on the Sabbath when Jesus visits a synagogue. </p><p>In <a href="/facts/Early_Christianity/LmdNJmea">Early Christianity</a> 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 <i>lectio continua</i> and <i>lectio selecta</i> were established over the centuries. </p><p>The term <i><a href="/facts/Lectio_divina/umqEn6wJ">lectio divina</a></i> is distinct from this practice and refers to stages of <a href="/facts/Christian_meditation/SISzslJ5">Christian meditation</a> contemplative prayer based on the reading of the <a href="/facts/Bible/SqkRTKCh">Bible</a>. However, <i>lectio divina</i> does not need to follow a sequence in the book, and focuses mostly on the meditative aspects. </p>