St. Francis de Sales gives sound advice on how to meditate with Holy Scripture.
He suggests: ” We can consider the Holy Bible, that is, the mysteries contained therein, and principally the Gospels, in two ways.
The first is to use the pious considerations arranged by many of those who have had the guidance of souls.They have had beautiful insights both into the life and death of Our Lord, as well as into the other mysteries of our faith, insights which can be useful in meditation. There are still many spiritual guides today to whom the Holy Spirit inspires holy and devout thoughts.
In this manner of meditating we must make good use of our imagination and reason, seeing the different scenes of the Gospel. For example, we can imagine the many tears shed during the Passion. We must be on our guard not to use our imagination carelessly in our meditation, according to our fancy, but rather we must act soberly.
The second method is to make no use of the imagination, but to keep to the literal meaning, that is, to be satisfied with meditating purely and simply on the Gospels and on the mysteries of the faith. Yes, it is simpler and safer.
Source: St Francis de Sales Sermon of Mar. 3, 1622
Reflection:
Which method has a greater appeal to me in my meditation?
What other ways have I experienced God speaking to me through Scripture?