Lectio Divina - a holy reading of the Bible slowly, savoring it, and enjoying it with the Lord – is the spiritual practice of sacred reading of the scriptures. The intention is not to learn or gain information but to deepen our relationship with God. St Benedict encourages us to “to listen with the ear of our hearts.”Join me once a week for Lectio Divina. I will share a verse and a word that spoke to my heart. Read and listen to the verses here. And gently ask God for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart for that day – that is what lectio means. Once we find that gift, we hold it, meditate, and savor its meaning. This step is called meditation.Then offer that word back to God in prayer or the third step of oratio. In prayer we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded … [Read more...]
Christmas Meditations
Love, Peace and Joy Coming Down at ChristmasAnd there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2: 9-14“Love came down on Christmas Day so many years ago and brought the greatest happiness the world would ever know. Peace came down on Christmas Day to fill the hearts of men with all the sweet tranquility each Christmas brings again. Joy came down on Christmas Day as … [Read more...]
A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson
Most of the time when I pray I say my own words, but find slowly reciting what others have written often opens my eyes to see in new ways. May these words bring light to your Christmas season and joy to your heart.Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.Close the door of hateand open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.-- Robert Louis Stevenson … [Read more...]
Gabriel’s Surprise Visit to Mary
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[c] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth … [Read more...]
Two Unusual Christmas Miracles
Christmas opens adult eyes to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. Lately, glimpses of God’s miracles, one in a moment of pain and the other in fun, caught my attention.Miracle of Night Vision OUCH! My big toe throbbed as the chair in the pitch black living room jumped out to trip me the other night. Stupid chair! Who put it there anyway? The instant I flipped the lights off to head towards bed, my once clear vision disappeared. Total darkness surrounded me. Groping at the walls to orient my journey, I limped down the hallway. Slowly, the objects previously veiled in darkness materialized. My night vision kicked into gear. What a gift it is to see even in the darkness. Just think: When God created us, not only did HE give us the ability to see in the light, but built in adjusters for when it is dark. I stubbed my toe because I took off too quickly on my own without allowing time for my eyes to get accustomed to the darkness. Just like when I rush ahead of … [Read more...]
Weekend Reflections on the Word of God – December 13, 2009
Lectio Divina - a holy reading of the Bible slowly, savoring it, and enjoying it with the Lord – is the spiritual practice of sacred reading of the scriptures. The intention is not to learn or gain information but to deepen our relationship with God. St Benedict encourages us to “to listen with the ear of our hearts.”Join me once a week for Lectio Divina. I will share a verse and a word that spoke to my heart. Read and listen to the verses here. And gently ask God for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart for that day – that is what lectio means. Once we find that gift, we hold it, meditate, and savor its meaning. This step is called meditation.Then offer that word back to God in prayer or the third step of oratio. In prayer we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded … [Read more...]
Christmas Nativity Scene Lessons
As empty nesters, we have slimmed down the amount of Christmas decorations we put up each year. I like the freshness of rearranging and the addition of the seasonal colors, but want to keep the “stuff” to a minimum. This year we didn’t find room for the nativity scene.At first I thought, “That is ok. One less item to put away later. No one will miss it.” But I was wrong. I missed them. I retrieved the box from the basement storage.The chipped, older than me, nativity scene is now displayed in its new location in my living room. I carefully unwrapped each of the characters: the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Wisemen and the angel.In many homes and churches, the baby Jesus is often left out of the crib until Christmas day, representing the fact that He has not been born yet. Personally, I put the characters out all at once.I glance at this holy scene every time I pass by; grateful I decided to dig them out of the box. Slowly they speak to my heart: there are lessons in … [Read more...]
Advent – Three W’s of this Spiritual Season
Advent calls me deeper this year. For the first time in many years, the season of Advent stirs up prayers between the Lord and me about waiting, wondering and making way for Christ. God is nourishing my spirit and renewing my heart during this special time of year.WaitingThis year I have a growing sense of waiting, but the pause simmers in hope, anticipation and obedience. All this comes after a year of learning to trust the Lord more. Often he would whisper, “Do you trust me, Jeanie?” and I would surrender my ego once again. Waiting. Waiting, Lord, for you.WonderingMy senses are heightened like a scene in a movie where the music builds and you just know a dramatic moment is about to take place. My spirit is on high alert: Pay attention, look about you and see the world with the eyes of a toddler chockfull of curiosity. What will I learn? I don’t know, but this daily practice of optimistic inquisitiveness fills me with hope.Make Way for ChristThis time of year spills over with … [Read more...]