Hello friends and welcome to this meditation space,
Electio Divina on Psalm 4.
And as a way to begin,
I invite you to close your eyes and bring your awareness to the inhale and the exhale.
Be aware of the gentle movement of air in and out of your lungs.
As you continue to breathe,
Notice any tightness in your shoulders,
In your neck.
And allow any tension in your muscles to relax.
Allow yourself to sink into the chair,
To be held and supported.
Ground yourself and slowly come to stillness.
In this place,
You're not trying to achieve anything.
There are no goals.
You're simply becoming aware of this moment.
Becoming aware of your presence in this moment.
As you notice any distractions,
Thoughts,
Judgments,
Decisions,
Ideas that cross your mind,
Let them go for now.
Focus instead on the moment by moment experience of being present to what is.
Being present to God.
Of God's love and care towards you.
And with this first reading of Psalm 4,
Allow yourself to settle in to the exercise and become familiar with the words.
Answer me when I call,
O beloved of my heart.
You enveloped me in love when I was in dire distress.
Be gracious to me now.
Hear my prayer.
Oh,
Friends,
How long will my reputation suffer shame?
How long will you listen to false words?
I seek only what is life giving.
You know that the beloved dwells with all who are filled with love.
Love hears when our hearts cry out.
Though you may feel angry,
Do not give in to fear.
Commune with the heart of your heart as you rest.
Be in silence.
Bask in the stillness.
Face your fears with forgiveness and trust in love.
There are many who say,
Grant us special favors,
O mighty one.
Visto upon us your grace that we may prosper.
Love has brought more joy to my heart than they have when their banks are filled.
In peace will I spend my days and sleep at night.
For you alone,
My beloved,
Teach me the way of love.
For the second reading,
Listen from a centered heart space and notice any word or phrase that stands out to you.
Answer me when I call,
O beloved of my heart.
You enveloped me in love when I was in dire distress.
Be gracious to be now.
Hear my prayer.
O friends,
How long will my reputation suffer shame?
How long will you listen to false words?
I seek only what is life giving.
You know that the beloved dwells with all who are filled with love.
Love hears when our hearts cry out.
Though you may feel angry,
Do not give in to fear.
Commune with the heart of your heart as you rest.
Be in silence.
Bask in the stillness.
Face your fears with forgiveness and trust in love.
There are many who say,
Grant us special favors,
O mighty one.
Bestow upon us your grace that we may prosper.
Love has brought more joy to my heart than they have when their banks are filled.
In peace will I spend my days and sleep at night.
For you alone,
My beloved,
Teach me the way of love.
And with this third and final reading,
Reflect on how the word or phrase has connected to your current life experience.
Linger over the word or phrase.
Focus on it until it engages your body,
Your heart,
And your awareness of the physical and unseen world around you.
Answer me when I call,
O beloved of my heart.
You enveloped me in love when I was in dire distress.
Be gracious to me now.
Hear my prayer.
Oh,
Friends,
How long will my reputation suffer shame?
How long will you listen to false words?
I seek only what is life giving.
You know that the beloved dwells with all who are filled with love.
Love hears when our hearts cry out.
Though you may feel angry,
Do not give in to fear.
Commune with the heart of your heart as you rest.
Be in silence.
Bask in the stillness.
Face your fears with forgiveness and trust in love.
There are many who say,
Grant us special favors,
O mighty one.
Bestow upon us your grace that we may prosper.
Love has brought more joy to my heart than they have when their banks are filled.
In peace will I spend my days and sleep at night.
For you alone,
My beloved,
Teach me the way of love.
Although this contemplation comes to an end,
You may want to linger a while longer with the word or phrase that connected with you.
You may want to speak a response or write in your journal.
May grace and peace accompany you as you move on from this space.
Blessings to you,
My friends.
Amen.
