Weekly Meditation

Dear Church,
 
I have been meditating on the scripture passage from last Sunday and I invite you this week as part of our weekly meditation to try a spiritual practice called Lectio Divina or divine reading based on the passage from Sunday.
 
Using 1 John 3:16-24 use these series of questions to guide your scripture reading.
Ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration and guidance as you prepare to read the scripture passage.
 
1. Read the text slowly and prayerfully, constantly listening for that word that God has prepared for you. You may want to re-read the same text multiple times to help quiet yourself interiorly and focus on God’s voice. Listen and receive the Word that God speaks to you.
 
2. When a word or phrase strikes you, stop and rest with it. Repeat the word or phrase to yourself. Allow it to speak to you in a personal way by pondering the word in your heart, reflecting on what it means to you. Memorize it and repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your thoughts, hopes, memories, and desires.
 
3. Prayer is your response to God’s word. It begins your dialogue with God that comes from your heart. Formulate a prayer, as a response to God. What do you want to say to the Lord in response to the Word spoken to you? Enter into this loving conversation with God.
 
4. Rest in God’s presence and receive His transforming embrace. Sit still with God, realizing that in this deep and profound relationship, words are not necessary. Be content and at peace with a wordless, quiet rest in God, which brings joy to the heart. Remember that contemplation is not your action or doing, rather it is allowing God to act in you.
 
For further information on Lectio Divina please click here. Today’s framework was created and adapted from the Lectio Divina guide from the conception abbey.
 


Blessings, 
Rev. Harris