The Spirit of the Lord

Scripture             Isaiah 11:1-10   
Focus Verse        Isaiah 11:2 & 4 excerpt
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD … with righteousness he shall judge …

This short reading from Isaiah is a beautiful positive messianic promise interwoven into some of the harshest words of judgement spoken in the bible.  The stump of Jesse (David’s father) is the once glorious Israel under attack and beaten down by the Assyrians.  Suddenly hope “shoots” up in the midst of despair, the Messiah who will deliver the people!  Once again we find foreshadowing.

It is a beautiful vision that Isaiah creates for us, the Peaceable Kingdom, the one we dream of while we wait … Into the messiness of the feeding trough, Jesus was born.  Into the messiness of life, Jesus walks.   But Jesus never walked alone, and neither do we.

The Spirit of God, the One hovering over the waters of Creation, is and always has been watching over humanity, leading and guiding, teaching and inspiring, convicting and comforting … even praying when we don’t know how.  Paul says our very own bodies are a temple for the Spirit of God. 

Reflection:  How do you experience the Spirit of God in Christ?  Recall times in your life when you've know that Jesus has been your companion on the journey of life.

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, take in link and listen to "Hail to the Lord's Anointed."  Anointing is symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment and it's meaning is that of being chosen or "set apart."  This arrangement is beautifully sung by Sandra McCracken and highlights our belief that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy of the Anointed One, the Messiah. 

Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

We are God's Temple

The end of last week’s lectionary reading felt strange to me:  “You are God’s field, God’s building.”  Perhaps “God’s field" went with plants but "God’s building" took my thoughts in a different direction.  It is a typical type of transition for Paul who loves using rich metaphors to describe the spiritual life.  Last week's ending points firmly into this week’s passage about building God’s temple on a firm foundation, the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.   Just like last week’s growing plants were not literal, neither is this temple a literal building.  Paul is speaking in his typical metaphorical language using things from life, things we've experienced and interpreting them spiritually.  Paul says we are a temple for the Spirit of God who lives IN us, as a community but I'm sure as the people of God as well.

One of the best ways to draw closer to God and to deepen our relationship is through daily engaging in "Breath Prayers."   When we breath, we breath in the name of God that is resonating with our soul and we breath out our deepest desire.   I invite you to join me as I breathe deeply: 

Breathing in ... Master Builder
Breathing out ... Make me a Holy Temple 

When you are ready to enter the narrative through "Lectio Divina," pray for illumination of the text ... God, Master Builder and Architect of my Soul, fill me with the light of your Spirit as I read your holy text so that others may see me as your Holy Temple.  Amen.

Step 1:  Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 (CEB) slowly and reverently ...What word, or phrase calls for your attention in your reading?  Spend a few moments pondering how God, through these words of Paul the Evangelist may be inviting you through your word or phrase ...

I laid a foundation like a wise master builder according to God’s grace that was given to me, but someone else is building on top of it. Each person needs to pay attention to the way they build on it. No one can lay any other foundation besides the one that is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you? If someone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person, because God’s temple is holy, which is what you are.  Don’t fool yourself. If some of you think they are worldly-wise, then they should become foolish so that they can become wise. This world’s wisdom is foolishness to God. As it’s written, He catches the wise in their cleverness.  And also, The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are silly. So then, no one should brag about human beings. Everything belongs to you—Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life, death, things in the present, things in the future—everything belongs to you, but you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Step 2:  Read the passage again and Reflect ...
How does your word or phrase from this passage illuminate your life or the life of your community right now?  How is God inviting you to change or grow or pray or act?

Step 3:  Read the passage again and Respond ...
What do you say to God about your light, your life and how you feel you are being called?   How do you pray when you consider what God is saying to you?

Step 4:  Rest ...
Come to a place of silence within yourself and just "be" with God.  Try for 10 minutes or beyond. When you are ready to move on,  pray:
God, Master Builder and Architect of my Soul, build me strong and build me sturdy on the foundation of the way of Jesus.  Prepare me with Joy to be a Sanctuary and Temple for your Sweet and Sassy Spirit!  Help me listen and love like Jesus.   Amen.

If music is a pathway to God for you, listen and if images are a pathway to God for you, watch this youtube video of Sanctuary sung by Jaci Velasquez.  Enjoy!

Baptism of Christ

Baptism.  One of the two Protestant sacraments, the other one being Eucharist, or Communion.  A sacrament is a sign of God's "Self-giving" Love, an outward sign of an inward grace.  To know more about baptism, take this link to Baptism: Chuck Knows Church on Youtube, a humorous yet quite informative video produced by General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church. 

When you stop laughing you may be ready to lean into our passage for lectio divina and pray with me.  Take a few moments to center yourself by engaging in a simple breath prayer (6-8 syllables) like this one (or one that emerges from within yourself) until you are focused on God.

Breathe in ... Spirit of God (pause)
Breathe out ... Call me Beloved (pause)
 

Then pray for illumination of the text:  Beloved God, as I read and meditate on your Word, fill me with love and light that I might envision the life you call me to live.  Amen.

The Underground Baptismal Font At Chartres Cathedral © 2008 Cindy Serio

 Step 1: Lectio/Reading … Reading
 

Read Matthew 3:13-17 slowly and reverently, letting the words steep in your mind.   On this first reading, listen with all of your senses.  Let the passage play out in your mind like a film unfolds.  What do you see?  What do you hear?  What can you smell?  What can you taste?  What can you touch and feel?    Allow your senses to lead you into the text.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.  And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

Step 2: Meditatio/Meditation … Receiving

Read the passage a 2nd time ... Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention.  Gently focus on that word or phrase.  Repeat it several times and allow it to be sifted through your heart and mind all the way to your soul. Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings the passage evokes within you.
What memories come to your mind?  Ask God to continue to speak to you through the word or phrase you've been drawn to.   Listen for God’s reply as you move through your day

Step 3: Oratio/Prayer … Responding

Read the passage a 3rd time ... Consider any thoughts or feelings or desires that have been awakened.
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention.
Do not rush ... how are you drawn to respond to God?

Step 4: Contempatio/Contemplative Silence … Resting

Allow yourself to rest in the silence.
Allow your mind to settle into the silence.
Allow your heart to beat with the silence.
Allow your soul to breathe with the silence
When you feel the time to move on ...

Pray:  Thank you, my Beloved God, for calling me Your beloved child, for loving me and speaking to my heart through this passage.  Amen.  

Remember Your Baptism and Be Thankful!  Created April 2010 by Cindy Serio

Pentecost: Living Flame of Love!

The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentekoste {pen-tay-kos-tay'} which literally means “the fiftieth day.”  In Jewish tradition, Pentecost is the second of the three great Jewish feasts.  Pentecost was celebrated at Jerusalem every year in the seventh week after the Passover in gratitude for the harvest.   Pentecost was the perfect day for the Holy Spirit to make an appearance to the fledgling Christians.  The words of God through the prophet Joel (2:28) … “I will pour out my Spirit on all people” and the promises of Jesus Christ (Luke 24:49) … “I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven” are fulfilled on the “day” of Pentecost in Jerusalem after Jesus left the disciples “on their own.” And now they are alone no longer.  And we are no longer alone either.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are continually in the presence of God for the Spirit of the Living God who lives within us.  To the Corinthians (1 Cor 6:19) Paul writes, "don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? 

In Paul’s letter to the Romans he speaks often of the Holy Spirit.  Paul is a very dense writer.  By that I mean he packs a lot of meaning into sentences which often run on for quite awhile.  Paul requires the reader to be thoughtful in order to understand both what he says and the layers of meaning within.  For those of us who simply do not believe that we pray well, Paul gives us hope.

I invite you to spend a few moments to prepare your heart to worship God as you pray with Scripture.   Breathe deeply and envision God’s Spirit filling you with love with each breath you take!  Settle into a place of confidence within yourself with a simple breath prayer.  Use this one or create your own (six to eight syllables)

          Breathe in (who do you worship?) Spirit of God (pause)

               Breath out (what do you need?) pray through me now (pause)

and when you are ready to move deeper into the text ...

Pray: Spirit of God, O Living Flame of Love ... fill me with your presence and pray in me, pray with me, pray through me.  I do not know how to pray, it is true, but I trust that you love me and are always with me.  For your presence and for your love , I am forever grateful.   

Amen … Amen … Amen

Step 1: Lectio … reading
Read  Romans 8:22-27 to yourself twice in a slow and reverent manner.
Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention.
Silently focus on that word or phrase.
Repeat it several times and allow it to sift through your heart and mind.

Romans 8:22-27
We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.  For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.  And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Step 2: Meditatio … receiving
Continue to focus on your word or phrase.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What images emerge in your imagination?
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you through this word
Listen for God’s reply as you move through your day

Step 3: Oratio … responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires

Step 4: Contempatio … resting
Allow yourself to rest in the silence.
Allow your mind to settle into the silence.
When you feel the time to move on ...

Pray this poem by John of the Cross (1542-1591).  It is called The Living Flame of Love and the words flow from union of the soul into and with the intimate depths of the Spirit of God.

  


O living flame of love


              that tenderly wounds my soul
              in its deepest center! Since
              now you are not oppressive,
              now consummate! if it be your will:
              tear through the veil of this sweet encounter!

O sweet cautery,

              O delightful wound!
              O gentle hand!   O delicate touch
              that tastes of eternal life 
              and pays every debt!

              In killing you changed death to life. 

O lamps of fire!
              in whose splendors
              the deep caverns of feeling,
              once obscure and blind,
              now give forth, so rarely, so exquisitely,
              both warmth and light to their Beloved.


How gently and lovingly
              you wake in my heart,
              where in secret you dwell alone;
              and in your sweet breathing,
              filled with good and glory,
              how tenderly you swell my heart with love. 

Amen … Amen … Amen