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.
Lord, I have read this verse many, many times. The words “cloudy mirror” and “perfect clarity” have fed my mind and spirit in meditative moments, yet tonight the last few words in this verse resonates within my soul.
“Just as God knows me now”
You understand me now.
You see me complete.
You grasp all of me – the good and the not so good – in ways I can’t even imagine.
You know why I allow barbed comments to pierce my heart and wear sores in my soul like a sharp pepple in my shoe.
Lord you know me now.
And to think you still love me, want a relationship with me, and send me daily blessings.
I praise you, O Lord, who knows my name, the number of hairs on my head and the amount of heart beats left in my life.
My heart bursts with gratitude for this “God who knows me now.”
My only prayer is to know you more.
I agree with you Colleen, He really does know each of us – so hard to fully believe, isn’t it?
It always amazes when I let it sink in that God “knows” me. I do not have to explain myself. And He loves me anyway. I look forward to these reflections every week. Thanks.