Advent 1: Let us Walk in the Light of the Lord!

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.   Advent is a time waiting, waiting, and anticipation.   Advent is a time of receptivity.  We wait to receive the gift of the Christ Child. 

Although there are essentially 4 movements in the prayerful reading of the sacred text known as Lectio Divina,  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 the text let the Spirit guide you! 

Pray for Illumination:  God of Advent, shine your light upon my heart and mind.  As I read and reflect on the holy text, fill me with desire to respond to you and to reach out to all people in the world with Love.  Amen. 

Movement 1: READ  Isaiah 2:1-5 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 ...

This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
    will be the highest of all—
    the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
    and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
    and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
    his word will go out from Jerusalem.
The Lord will mediate between nations
    and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
    and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
    nor train for war anymore.
Come, descendants of Jacob,
    let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Movement 2:  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 ...

Movement 3:  READ the text slowly again and let the words sink deep into your soul ... RESPOND to God with prayers of praise, adoration, confession, gratitude, discernment, petition, intercession, and/or commitment ... whatever emerges from within you.   Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready ...

Movement 4:  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

Breath Prayer of Rest:
Breathing in … God of Great Love
Breathing out … Love the World through Me

Amen ... 

Amen ... 

Amen ...