Weekend Reflections on the Word of God – December 13, 2009

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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 that there are moments in loving relationships when words are unnecessary.
Come into the presence of the Lord.

Yes, I know what plans I have in mind for you, the Lord declares, plans for peace, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
When you call to me and come and pray to me, I shall listen to you.
When you search for me, you will find me; when you search wholeheartedly for me,
I shall let you find me. Jeremiah 29:11-14a (New Jerusalem Bible)

“I shall let you find me.”

Lord, I never realized before you like Hide and Seek. I count to ten, then come searching for you. You peek out from behind that tree trunk you use to partially conceal yourself, knowing it shows exactly where you can be found.

I see you.
I run, hugging you saying, “Tag! You’re it!”
You laugh and scoop me up into your loving arms like a parent playing delightfully with a young child. The air explodes with joyous giggles of love.

“I shall let you find me.”

At times I act so pious, like my prayers, meditations, and Bible study prove me worthy of your presence. I think my actions bring me to your attention, when all along you are here, waiting for me. Nothing I can do or say can make you magically appear upon my demand – YOU let me find you. What a promise!

God didn’t create us and then just disappear. He lets himself be found. He wants a relationship with us and to be with us. We just need to search for him with our whole heart.

God sent a star, so the Magi could easily find their way to Bethlehem.
God sent his angels, so the shepherds would know where to discover the baby lying in a manger.
God Himself came down from heaven to be born, to live and to die for us –
All so we can find him and be with him.

And the timeless miracle is this:

God says, “I shall let you find me.”

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Comments

  1. blankAnne says

    Jean, this is lovely. I like to pray Lectio Divina as well, but I’m sure I have never been as inspired as this post obviously was!

    Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments! I have quite a few posts about the WIC clinic, you can find them on the labels, if you’re interested in a little trip down memory lane.

    God bless you with a Merry Christmas!

  3. blankParsley says

    What an encouraging post and great blog you have!

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment. I hope you will feel free to stop by anytime.

    Covey’s words ring true, don’t they?!