“He breathed on them and said to them “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20: 22 Breathe on me, Lord. I need your sacred sigh into my soul. I am nothing without your air, your Holy Spirit. Your breath instills life within me. Your breath sustains me. All I can do, must do, is open and receive. Never seen, but always present, the Holy Breath of God. I inhale and your spirit swirls down into my lungs, awakening my every cell. Even when I give back to you in exhale, my gift is composed mainly of you, with a little waste from me. We became living beings by your breath. We become pure, holy and loving by your breath. We become more Christlike by your breath. Sharing your breath brings me so close, so intimate, so fused, we become one. May my every breath praise you, Lord. … [Read more...]
Rejoice in God’s Surprises – Lectio Divina
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s suffering, so that you may also be glad and short for joy when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4: 12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised… But rejoice! First of all, Lord, I am always taken back when you call me beloved. Wow, thank you for such a tender, loving nickname. Forgive me when I reject your call, your delightful gift in that identity, your love. You are the God of Surprises. I am amazed at your all encompassing compassion, presence and strength. I would think by now, nothing you do should shock me. Your blessings astonish me time and time again. This verse reminds me that in your wonder, I rejoice. You help me to remember not to fear, reject, or doubt whatever experiences fall upon me. Rejoice in your surprises, you gently urge. I dance in the puddles of your delight. I … [Read more...]
God’s Spirit With and In – Lectio Divina
“And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever, This is the sprit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you and will be in you.” John 14: 16-17 Two tiny words, Lord. - Barely noticeable within this powerful text full of hope and reassurance. -A divine double distinction that You, Lord, deliberately chose to make a dramatic difference in our lives. Two words: With and In. You know him because he abides with you and will be in you. Lord you come alongside of me and walk WITH me as an Advocate, Friend, Companion, Counselor, Comforter. You stir up the spark of spirit you planted INside my DNA as you connect withIN my heart. You are with me forever. You are within me forever. You abide, standing next to me. You abide, dwelling within my soul. I am amazed, Lord at your all encompassing, lavishing love that enfolds and … [Read more...]
Lord, You are Enough – Lectio Divina
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14: 8-9 "that will be enough" Lord you are enough for me. Why do I continue to seek other trinkets to fill my void? Why do I gorge with food to satisfy my emptiness? Why do my eyes wander to the shiny objects of the world? You and you alone are enough. Nothing else will satisfy and fulfill. Your banquet is plentiful and your water sufficient. I rest in your abundant love and lavish guidance. Thank you, Lord for providing me with what I need. You alone are enough. You are enough. … [Read more...]
The Lord is my Shepherd – Lectio Divina
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil and my cup is running over. Psalm 23: 5 Shepherd Lord, these words continue to draw me close to you. Their wisdom shapes me beyond expectation. Every time I read them or say them from heart I hear something new. I find you in the small words, the incredible words, the spaces between the words. The word “enemies” stopped me today. I learned last week on retreat that when the word “enemies” is used in the Psalms it is often not just those outside of us attacking us but also the inner adversaries. And my private opponents are many. Doubts Discouragement Fear The list is long, too long but as you prepare a feast for me (for me?), all my submerged faults and foes are present too. I don’t have to conceal them from you. You know they are there. Not only there but you invite them also to the banquet. Does that mean you love all of me, Lord? The good, the bad, the ugly, the warts and … [Read more...]
Set My Heart on Fire– Lectio Divina
Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?” Luke 24: 32 The Message Lord, set my heart ablaze for your Word. I yearn for a deeper thirst to study and know your scriptures. Set them on fire and sear their meaning within me. Awaken each action and animate each article. Help me hear the crunch as Adam and Eve bite into the fruit. Taste the salt of the sea rising around Noah. Feel the heat of Moses’ burning bush. Strike my tambourine with Miriam as we cross the sea of reeds. Lay before you, shedding tears with Hannah. Wrap Joseph’s coat of many colors around me. Sing with David’s harp in praise and lament. Sit at Solomon’s feet immersed in his wisdom Gather grain with Ruth on a hot summer day. Sit in the darkness of a whale’s belly with Jonah. Witness your glory with Isaiah. Like Jeremiah, mold me, dear Potter, like clay. Wake me with delightful singing angels as the shepherds were at … [Read more...]
Unlocking Fear’s Door – Lectio Divina
Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.” John 20: 19-21 – The Message Like the disciples, too often I let fear lock the door of my heart. Solid barriers of worry and anxiety seal the entrance. The padlocks of dread close any openness. But the locked doors after the resurrection didn’t stop you at all, Jesus. You entered in. You stood among them. You offered peace that couldn’t be found anyplace else. And the disciples saw you with their own eyes and were jubilant. Your presence broke open the doors of fear. Lord, enter the locked doors of my heart. Break down the wall of worry and remove the stonewall of all suspicion. Open wide the … [Read more...]
I Have Seen The Lord – Lectio Divina
Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary … [Read more...]