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.
As we drove around the curve tonight, my husband and I grew suddenly silent. Right in front of us stood a patch of trees emblazoned in color. The sun broke through the heavy rain clouds casting a spotlight on this patch of heaven on earth just for us, I think.
This verse raced through my mind. The trees burst in such vibrant music before us, I actually clapped my hand in appreciation.
Smaller trees toward the front wore their finest fashion – all burnt burgundy.
The next tallest – the golden yellow’s – danced waving their butter dipped leaves.
The tallest stubborn ones held tightly to their green hues, though duller and darken from their mid summer glory.
And sprinkled throughout the whole forest glimmered pieces of copper and a few otter browns peeking out.
Nature knows how to praise God without ever saying a word.
And my husband and I joined them with silent praise for such a Creator God.
Thank you for your nice comments. That view we saw was just breathtaking and one I will never forget.
It is just an experience I wouldn’t want to miss and I have felt it at least once a day in the past few weeks. You have described it so well, Jeanie. I applaud God and His handiwork and you for painting in in our mind in such a lovely way. Clella
Aww, I wish I could see those! I love how God is demonstrated in His creation. What a time of worship that was. I could feel it in your writing!
Thanks again for your Lectio Divina. God bless.
You’re a poet, Jeanie. Breathtaking imagery.