Beloved seekers of God, from past blogs we remember that the periods of silence are understood in a larger way than simply a lack of audible noise. Whenever emptiness—what seems like empty space or absence of sound—becomes its own kind of fullness, with its own kind of sweet voice, in that we have just experienced sacred silence. The God given gift of Lectio Divina opens for each one of us the gift of God’s personal love hidden in the gift of our lives.
Important points to keep in mind if Lectio Divina is new to you:
- This is not a Bible study. It is a spiritual exercise, which helps us learn how to encounter and then dialogue with the Spirit of God.
- In this dialogue, the Spirit will gradually guide each of us interiorly and then exteriorly in concrete actions all bringing us into greater intimacy with God. We will find ourselves slowly opening to an interior freedom that brings with it the peace that passes all understanding.
- As we get used to the dynamics of this discipline, we find a similar experience of this dialogue with the Spirit arising naturally in many other places, for example: in church during liturgy, during personal prayer, during the praying of the Daily Office, while out during restful walks in nature, while listening to a lovely piece of music, while quietly gardening or knitting or viewing artwork or photography, etc.
- Sometimes in practicing Lectio we will feel restless or even uncomfortable. It happens to everyone at one time or another. It may be due to a lack of familiarity with silence or with this type of spiritual practice and/or it might be part of the personal experience of spiritual healing. We will discuss the dynamics of this experience of spiritual healing at a later time.
- We all come to this gathering with some degree of distraction, which is created by the busyness of our everyday lives. For this reason, after greeting each other, the opening prayer will be read and we will have a brief musical interlude. This music helps us let go of our everyday consciousness and facilitates our opening, so as to better receive and interact with the Spirit of God.
- The last thing we will do before closing is to discuss as a group the process of yielding that each one of us will use during the upcoming week.
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Lectio Divina Format: For Our Zoom Gathering Thursday January 9th at 7 p.m.
Opening Prayer: For Quiet Confidence
“O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”[1]
Brief Musical Interlude
Scripture Reading: Psalm 114:1-4
Alleluiah!
When Israel came out of Egypt,
the House of Jacob from a foreign nation,
Judah became His sanctuary
and Israel His dominion.
The sea fled at the sight,
The Jordan stopped flowing,
The mountains skipped like rams,
and like lambs, the hills.[2]
Observation: Listening to the Reading of the Word (Lectio)
As we listen to the word read for the first time, we are invited to be aware of any word or phrase that catches our attention. The key here is to listen with the soul center rather than with the mind. After a minute of silence, we will be invited to share it with the group.
Application: Reflecting on the Word (Meditatio)
As we listen to the word read for a second time, we are invited to be aware of any reflection or thought that comes to mind. Now we use the combination of the word, which God used to stir our soul and the thoughts that seem connected to it. After five minutes of silence, we will be invited to share our experience with the group.
Deeper Reflection: Resting in the Word (Contemplatio)
As we listen to the word read for a third time, we are invited just to sit with it in silence for ten minutes. We let our thoughts become simpler and quieter. We become aware beyond its words, communing with the Spirit who speaks through it. In the silence of our hearts, we simply rest in the Spirit.
Prayer: Responding to the Word (Oratio)
The leader now invites us to be aware of any prayer that rises up within us from our hearts that expresses what we are experiencing in and through this time of meditation. After a short silence, we will be invited to express it aloud.
Closing: The Lord’s Prayer[3]
Yielding: Daily Practice
Let the material God has provided rise up into your consciousness as you go about your daily living this week. Discern any slight changes that may occur in your thoughts and behavior because God has and is touching the quality of your consciousness through a new depth of awareness. If so inclined, journal on this.
[1] Prayers for Family and Personal Life, #59. The Book of Common Prayer. New-York: T. Whittaker, 1875, 832.
[2] Psalm 114;1-4, General editor: Alexander Jones. The Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1966.
[3] Matthew 6:10-13, The Jerusalem Bible. Doubleday, 1966.
Spiritual Homesteading 