During the time of Advent 2010, you are invited to use the four lectionary readings for the week and engage in Lectio Divina, or "sacred reading." Read only 1 text per day for as many days as you desire.
Lectio divina is a contemplative way of "praying" the scriptures. Lectio is a receptive way of reading the scripture rather that "taking" something away from it. Many people refer to the act of lectio divina as "reading with the ear of the heart" in the way of St. Benedict.
Although there are essentially 4 movements: lectio (read), meditatio (reflect), oratio (respond), and contemplatio (rest) there truly are as many ways to creatively engage the bibical text through lectio divina as there are creative people who read the bible with not just their mind but their entire being.
I'll guide you gently but I encourage you to surrender to God and listen to what you are "hearing with the ear of your heart." You can create your own way ... as you read each of the texts let the Spirit guide you!
- Read the text slowly and let the words wash over you ... listen for a word or a phrase that attracts your attention ... stop ... turn that word or phrase around and around, over and over in your mind. Say your word or phrase aloud so you can "hear" it. Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready ...
- Read the text slowly again and let the words flow into your spirit ... Has a different word or phrase called to you? That's ok. Reflect on your chosen word or phrase. Where is God speaking into your life? What is God saying to you? Is there a "word" you can take with you into your day? Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready ...
- Read the text slowly again and let the words sink deep into your soul ... Respond to God with prayers of ... praise, confession, gratitude, discernment, commitment ... whatever emerges from within you. Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready ...
- Rest in the gentle silence of God's presence ... breath in the love of God ... as you move on, breath out the love of God upon the world
Day 1
Read Isaiah 2:1-5 using the four movements of Lectio Divina
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established
In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established
as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob; that God may teach us the way
Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob; that God may teach us the way
and that we may walk in God's paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
God shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
God shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Reading 1: What word or phrase attracted your attention?
Reading and Reflection 2: What “word” is God speaking to you?
Reading and Response 3: How do you respond to God?
Rest 4 …
Day 2
Read Psalm 122 using the four movements of Lectio Divina
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’
Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together.
To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
For there the thrones for judgment were set up, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.’
For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
Reading 1: What word or phrase attracted your attention?
Reading and Reflection 2: What “word” is God speaking to you?
Reading and Response 3: How do you respond to God?
Rest 4 …
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’
Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together.
To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
For there the thrones for judgment were set up, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.’
For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
Reading 1: What word or phrase attracted your attention?
Reading and Reflection 2: What “word” is God speaking to you?
Reading and Response 3: How do you respond to God?
Rest 4 …
Day 3
Read Romans 13:11-14 using the four movements of Lectio Divina
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Reading 1: What word or phrase attracted your attention?
Reading and Reflection 2: What “word” is God speaking to you?
Reading and Response 3: How do you respond to God?
Rest 4 …
Reading 1: What word or phrase attracted your attention?
Reading and Reflection 2: What “word” is God speaking to you?
Reading and Response 3: How do you respond to God?
Rest 4 …
Day 4
Read Matthew 24:36-44 using the four movements of Lectio Divina
‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Reading 1: What word or phrase attracted your attention?
Reading and Reflection 2: What “word” is God speaking to you?
Reading and Response 3: How do you respond to God?
Rest 4 …
Reading and Reflection 2: What “word” is God speaking to you?
Reading and Response 3: How do you respond to God?
Rest 4 …
Day 5
Reflections: Look back over the four Advent texts and your responses As you consider the four texts in the context of your Advent waiting ...
- How do these texts help me celebrate the incarnation of God in the form of Jesus?
- How do these texts help me prepare for the coming of Christ once again?
- What are some of the images of God that I find in these texts?
- What have I heard from God during my study this week?
- What have I learned about God?
- Where have I seen God working in my life?
God of Hope, teach me your ways so that I might walk the path you set before me. Let me walk in the light of your ways. Send peace upon me and around me and in me. I seek you and I ask you to help me put on Christ. Help me keep awake! Help me be ready to receive you today and every day of my life. Amen.
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