In the beginning the story of God was created ... perhaps stories told around communal fires as nomadic people roamed the world sharing their experience of the Holy One person by person. Then one day someone created doodles that made sense and the written word emerged to change the way the Word of God was heard. Ancient people wrote down their stories and the community enlarged as the Spirit called to people through the written word. The ancient Hebrew people believed Scripture had the power to bring people into relationship with God. As we read the word of God today in the way of the ancient people of Israel and surrender to the text, we can allow it to form and shape us into faithful people of God.
Advent calls us to be actively patient as we live in the tension of the "already but not yet." An advent "waiting" person is one who believes that THIS moment is THE moment as life unfolds. Lectio Divina invites us into the patient waiting which always leads us to the heart of God.
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."
1. Read the text slowly. Try not to get captured by trying to figure out what it means. Simply listen deeply to the words. Focus your attention on a word or a phrase that seems to call to you. Repeat your word or phrase several times letting it sink into your soul. Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready ...
2. Read the text slowly again and listen as if Jesus himself were reading to you... Reflect on your word or phrase as you pay attention to any images or memories arise for you. What feelings are emerging to accompany the text? Ask God to speak to you through your feelings. Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready ...
3. Read the text slowly again, when you find yourself wanting to respond to God. What desires have been awakened within you? What area of your life do you need to spend time on? Respond to God with prayers of ... praise, confession, gratitude, discernment, commitment ... whatever emerges from within you as you consider your desires and your needs. Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready …
4. Rest in the gentle silence of God's presence. Breathe in the love of God. As you move on, breathe out the love of God upon the world!
Day 1 Read Isaiah 35:1-10 using the 4 movements of Lectio Divina
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Reading 1: What word or phrase has called to you?
Reading and Reflection 2: What images, memories or feelings emerge? What is God
saying to you?
Reading and Reflection 3: What desires and/or needs do you bring to God in response?
Reading 4: Rest …
Listen to this beautiful African song called Siya Hamba ... We are marching to the Light of God.
Day 2 Read Psalm 146:5-10 using Lectio Divina
5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the
LORD their God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; 7 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD!
Reading 1: What word or phrase has called to you?
Reading and Reflection 2: What images, memories or feelings emerge? What is God
saying to you?
Reading and Reflection 3: What desires and/or needs do you bring to God in response?
Reading 4: Rest …
Day 3 Read James 5:7-10 using Lectio Divina
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Reading 1: What word or phrase has called to you?
Reading & Reflection 2: What images, memories or feelings emerge? What is God
saying to you?
Reading & Reflection 3: What desires and/or needs do you bring to God in response?
Reading 4: Rest …
Day 4 Read Matthew 11:2-11 using Lectio Divina
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Reading 1: What word or phrase has called to you?
Reading and Reflection 2: What images, memories or feelings emerge? What is God
saying to you?
Reading and Reflection 3: What desires and/or needs do you bring to God in response?
Reading 4: Rest …
Day 5 Consider these questions in the context of your study:
- How do the texts of Advent 1 help me celebrate anew the coming of God incarnate in the Christ Child?
- How do the texts prepare me for the second coming of Christ in glory?
- How did I encounter God in these texts?
- What did I learn about God?
- What did I learn about myself through my time of Lectio Divina?
- What did I learn about my relationship with God this week?
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