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Weekend Reflections on the Word of God – October 18, 2009

October 18, 2009 By Jean Wise

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.

If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the Lord, who is my refuge-
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 91: 9-16

Ever put your name into a verse to personalize the message? Try it:

“Because _____ loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue ____; I will protect ____, for _____ acknowledges my name. _____will call upon me, and I will answer ____; I will be with _____ in trouble, I will deliver _____ and honor _____.
With long life will I satisfy _____ and show____ my salvation.”

What I read this with my name, the phrase “I will honor Jeanie” makes my heart jump. God honoring me? What would that look like?

I shake my head in disbelief that God the Creator takes the time stops all he is doing, to look upon little old me with honor.

How would God pay tribute to mere humans? By holding them in his hands, blessing them, loving them.

I swoop up my little granddaughter, hold her high with both arms and dance around the room. When I look at her, she is all I see. I tenderly stroke her hair. Her tiny fingers wrap around my finger and my heart. I love breathing her in. My whole being fills with joyous celebration for her.

Just imagine – God loves us even more.

What a gift!

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Filed Under: lectio divina, spiritual practices

Comments

  1. blankColleen says

    October 21, 2009 at 4:38 am

    Another great lectio divina post, I have done that before – putting my name in the scripture verses. really is a powerful thing. I have done that at retreats I present. It sure reminds us of God’s love for us, each and every one of us, God bless!

  2. blankJohnnie says

    October 19, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    I felt like Karen at first, but then I did it and had the same reaction as you (Jeanie) did when I reached the part about God honoring me. Wow! Just wish I had my little Kaydi-Paris to dance around the room with like you did with Kayla!

  3. blankJulie Gillies says

    October 19, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    I love personalizing scripture, Jeanie. You’re so right…it’s powerful!

    LOVE the visual of you dancing with your sweet granddaughter. Precious!

  4. blankKaren says

    October 18, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    Jeanie, what a wonderful illustration with your grandbaby. You know I even hesitate to put my name in those blanks. Like it’s sacrilegious. Hmmmm. That chokes me up. Thank you dear friend.

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