Our Father

One of the greatest lessons that Jesus taught us was how to pray. He tells us to "Pray this way" and starts the prayer with "Our Father." Not God, not Father, not Lord, but "Our Father." Our is inclusive here. So when I decided to do Lectio Divina I had originally thought about praying just the "our father." 

Lectio:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Meditatio: Our Father--Not just God, but our Father, it's entering into a personal conversation with God. Our = personal. Why would God want to be in relationship with us? 

Oratio: Our Father, help us to remember that you are "Our Father' and that you want to be in relationship with us. Let us have ears to hear what you are telling us, and give us the ability to cherish each moment of our personal relationship with you.

Contemplatio: If you are not in relationship with God, would you like to be? Have you taken time to remind yourself that God's name is hallowed? Have you thanked him today? What kind of relationship would you like to have with God?

Master Gardener

Spring is a time of renewal, new birth, new growth and I love flowers, so when I see the daffodils coming up, I know that spring is on it's way and I get excited. It's usually time to start trimming back various flowers and trees that are growing around my yard. Yet, I am reminded of John's gospel.

In Chapter 15 Jesus tells us
Lectio:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

Meditatio: There are times in our lives when God prunes us. He prunes us so that we may grow into what He wants us to be. Pruning isn't easy; matter of fact, sometimes it's downright painful. God only prunes us in ways that He knows will draw us closer to Him, and so that we bear more fruit. God prunes us to reassure us of our salvation. Maybe He prunes us so that He is more free to answer our prayers. Finally I think God prunes us so that we will glorify Him.

Oratio: Father, it is not in our nature to submit to your pruning, but if we are truly to grow into the people that you are wanting us to be, I will humbly submit to your pruning. Less of me, Lord, more of you.

Contemplatio: Is God pruning you? What areas do you need to submit to Him that He may prune you to His will?

Hearts Set Aflame

When I started my journey into Lectio Divina I wasn't expecting much. I love guided meditation, but I also love the fact that I get to really meditate on God's word. I didn't expect much. However, I have been doing Lectio Divina for a few days now, I started well before Lent so that I could get my first few days out of the way and learn the steps to really embracing the thought of Lectio Divina. 

My second day of Lectio Divina, was from Obadiah. Some history on Obadiah, Obadiah wrote this shortest book of the Old Testament probably soon after the armies of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem (586 b.c.). During this conquest, the people of Edom helped capture fleeing Israelites and turn them over to the Babylonians. They even took up residence in some Judean villages. This angered the Lord, for the Edomites, as descendants of Esau, were related to the Israelites (Gen. 25:21–26, 30) and therefore should have helped them. Obadiah prophesied that Edom would be repaid for mistreating God’s people. Obadiah also asserted that God is sovereign over the nations and that the house of Jacob would be restored because of God’s covenant love for his people. (1)

Lectio (Reading):

15 For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. 16 For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually; they shall drink and swallow, and shall be as though they had never been. 17 But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions. 18 The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken. 19 Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau, and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines; they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. 20 The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb. 21 Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s. (Ob. 1:15-21) (2)

Meditatio (Meditation): The verse here that really spoke to me was "The house of Jacob shall be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble." At first I was confused, but as I thought more on the prophecy, the house of Esau is the nations/unbelievers. Those who don't know God. The houses of Jacob and Joseph are both fires that burn in the hearts of God's people being sent forth for revival. In the setting of the scripture these were the Jewish people; but if we are reading it today, I believe it is Jew and Gentile that believe in Messiah, whose hearts are truly set aflame, nothing could stop the gospel from going forth and we may even see a revival taking place. 

Oratio (Prayer): Father, help us to become like the houses of Jacob and Joseph. People who call upon you, who come to you with every ounce of our being, so that we may be set aflame and revival come upon our land. 

Contemplatio (Rest): Resting in God's Presence; this is where we are not doing anything, rather we are sitting still, understanding that words are not necessary. We need to be at peace with the rest in God. This is not a time of our action, but rather God's action in us.

(1) The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ob.

(2) The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016.

To do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God

The other night I sat down to watch an episode of Touched by an Angel. The episode was about an archeologist who was bent on finding the Ark of the Covenant that he would stop at nothing to find it; not even when he was faced with an angel telling him "Stop! This is holy ground!"

What stuck out to me in the episode was when the archeologist told Monica that he had to find the ark and Monica told him "The only thing you have to do is 'Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.'" I have always loved the premise of the show that God brings angels into our lives that keep us from harming ourselves or even that just want to pass along the message that God loves us. You wan to see me cry? I mean UGLY CRY? Turn on Touched by an Angel and let me hear "God loves you."

This week, God has had me in Micah 6:8 He hath shown thee, O man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (KJV). Now I realize a lot of people don't like Eugene Peterson's The Message, however, I really love how easy it makes Micah 6:8 read. "But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple; Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously--take God seriously.

Read (Lectio): He hath shown thee, O man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? What sticks out to you? During this time listen for words that really sticks out to you. I am really drawn to the "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly."

Meditate (Meditatio): What does it mean to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly? Really mull over what God is saying to you. Be careful not to fall into study mode, don't analyze what God is saying to you. Rather think about what you believe God is telling you.

Pray (Oratio): Now it is time to respond to God. What is He calling you to do? I like to journal during this time. I am prone to forget what I have already learned, but when I journal, I am able to note what version of the Bible I used, did I continue to study other verses to help me understand. You can also respond in prayer. It offers you a chance to have a conversation with God. "Father teach me what it means to do justice, what it means to love mercy and to walk humbly."

Rest (Comtemplatio): Rest in what God is showing you. This isn't a time of prayer or meditation. It's a time to just sit quietly and let God work. Allow Him to really show you what he is saying to him.


Tonight: I did my lectio divina. I was drawn to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly." I used the Complete Jewish Bible, Common English Bible, The Message, English Standard Version. My meditation was "God what exactly are you calling me to do?"

From my journal: These are basic building blocks of how Christians are to live their lives. They are the basic tenants of how you as a Christian are to live your life they are what God means when He says be holy as I am holy. They are the foundation of righteousness.

Rest/Action: God calls us to action. So the action here is to continue to grow in righteousness.

Ask, Seek, Knock

Luke tells us that we merely have to ask and it will be given to us, seek and we'll find and knock and it will be opened to us. Lectio Divina allows for us to do all of these things...but it also allows us to hear from God.

When I read Luke 11:1-10, the three words Ask, Seek and Knock all spoke to me.

Lectio:

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Meditatio:  These three words stood out to me because when we ask the right questions, we are seeking. When we are seeking, there are places we have to knock to get answers; and by knocking, we are again asking. It's a trinity of sorts; we must do all three in order to find what our hearts are longing to find.

Oratio: Father, I humbly bow before your throne tonight asking, seeking, knocking on your door that my prayer will be answered. Show me the right things to seek, and to ask for. Provide the right doors for me to be knocking on that I may get the answers I seek.

Contemplatio: What is God saying to you? What actions is He urging in your life? Rest in the Spirit of God as you continue to listen to what the Father is telling you.

Why Lectio Divina?

Even though it's not yet Lent, it is approaching. In one week, we'll be observing Ash Wednesday. As a young person I never knew or even understood why my neighbors would go out and get ashes imparted to them, then wear them all day. It wasn't a part of my Baptist upbringing. Neither was Lent a part of my upbringing. We never gave up sweets, caffeine or anything. In fact, the only people who did so were my Catholic friends and giving up sweets for 40 days wasn't that big of a deal. 

This year, however, I want to do something meaningful in my life. I want to add something that I hope will carry over into the year. That is why I chose Lectio Divina. Now some of my friends have inquired as to what Lectio Divina actually is and what the history of it is. In my first post on this blog, I did a bit of an introduction, but I didn't go into the why I have chosen this particular discipline or Means of Grace. Even today when I mentioned that Lectio Divina was a Means of Grace, someone asked what a means of grace actually is.

With that question, let me answer very broadly. The means of grace are all the ways by which we as Christians grow stronger in our faith and grow in the grace of Christ. It serves to provide us the spiritual/mental house cleaning we need because it personalizes the scripture and we are giving an opportunity to listen for God's voice; it gives us the opportunity to take our compartmental lives and place God at the center of all we do.

Now I know the burning questions for my friends are "Is it a Catholic practice?" and "Can Christians practice Lectio Divina?" A quick internet search will give you all the answers you need to know about Lectio Divina--including answers that tell you it's a dangerous practice. Yet I fail to see where reading, meditating and praying God's word is dangerous. I feel as if because the first question that is asked about Lectio Divina is about it being a Catholic practice makes Protestants shudder because most Protestants refuse to read and learn about the traditions of the Catholic church, much less their actual Catechism.

If we look at where Lectio Divina is today, we will see that St. Augustine of Hippo's phrase Ever Ancient, Ever New describes the renewed interest in praying with Scripture that has re-emerged in today’s Church. Around the country, parish Bible study groups, small Christian communities, and other faith sharers have rediscovered a simple, insightful way to hear and experience the Word of God with one another through an ancient prayer form, lectio divina. St. John Paul II said in Novo Millennio Ineunte, 39 

It is especially necessary that listening to the word of God should become a life-giving encounter, in the ancient and ever valid tradition of lectio divina, which draws from the biblical text the living words which questions, directs, and shapes our lives. 

Lectio divina is a form of meditation rooted in liturgical celebration that dates back to early monastic communities. It was a method practiced by monks in their daily encounter with Scripture, both as they prepared for the Eucharist and as they prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. Its use continued in the Middle Ages in religious orders, such as the Benedictines and Carmelites, that not only practiced lectio divina daily but passed this treasure from the past on to the next generations. The practice of lectio divina is resurfacing today as a wonderful way to meditate on God’s Word. The practice of Lectio Divina as a way of praying the Scriptures has been a fruitful source of growing in relationship with Christ for many centuries and in our own day is being rediscovered by many individuals and groups. The Word of God is alive and active and will transform each of us if we open ourselves to receive what God wants to give us.

During Lent, I have decided to do the 1% challenge. I am challenging myself using Lectio Divina to find out what God is saying to me. I will be using scriptures that are no more than 10 verses long to find out what exactly God is saying to me.

I'll be journaling those thought here in the format of:
Daily Reading, Version of the Bible

After that I will be writing my reflections, how I responded to what I felt God was impressing upon me and finally we'll be resting in what God has revealed to me. The resting part isn't going to be easy, because I feel like this Lent will be a time of pruning...and pruning is painful; but it's also a good time because a gardener prunes for one reason usually and that is to grow his/her plants and make them reach their full potential.

I look forward to what God has in store for me over the next 40 days starting on the 26th of February--even though I have started early to see if I could get in the swing of things. 

*I encourage you to "Follow This Blog" by entering your email so that you will get updates on when I update this blog and together we'll journey into God's presence a bit deeper. 

Lectio Divina: A Lenten Journey

During my candidacy retreat for Pastoral Candidacy we practiced a session or two of Lectio Divina. And if you don't know what Lectio Divina is,  I can sum it up in a few words as "becoming immersed in the scriptures very personally. It draws on the way the Jews read the Haggadah, a text read during Passover that retells the Exodus story. 
I have decided during the Lenten Season to practice Lectio Divina as a part of my life. If you want to join me, here are the steps to Lectio Divina. 
Here is a way of engaging in this prayer form which is relaxing and rather easy.

1. Select a passage from one of the Gospels in which Jesus is interacting with others.
2. Recall what one is doing in engaging with the Word of God and what one desires from this encounter. God is present and because God is present one relies on God.
3. Read the Gospel passage twice so that the story and the details of the story become familiar.
4. Close one’s eyes and reconstruct the scene in one’s imagination. See what is going on and watch the men and women in the scene. What does Jesus look like? How do the others react to him? What are the people saying to one another? What emotions fill their words? Is Jesus touching someone? As one enters into the scene, sometimes there is the desire to be there. So a person can place oneself in the scene, perhaps as an observer, as one lining up for healing, or as one helping others to Jesus. 
5. Some people’s imaginations are very active so they construct a movie-like scenario with a Gospel passage. Others will enter the scene with verbal imagination, reflecting on the scene and mulling over the actions. Vividness is not a criteria for the effectiveness of this kind of prayer. Engagement is and the result is a more interior knowledge of Jesus.
6. As one finishes this time of prayer, one should take a moment to speak person to person with Christ saying what comes from the heart. *

If you want to journal your journey with Lectio Divina; I recommend these journal sheets. 

*Bullet points: From Finding God in All Things: A Marquette Prayer Book © 2009 Marquette University Press. Used with permission.