Welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 7.
As we begin taking a few moments to settle,
To be here,
To find stillness.
Letting go of the day so far and of what's to follow.
And receiving the grace to be present here and now to these words.
On this first reading,
I invite you to allow the words to come just as they are without attaching to them.
Letting them wash in and through you.
Psalm 7.
Oh my beloved,
To you do I draw close.
When all my inner fears well up,
Enfold me in your strong arms.
Otherwise,
Like a fiery dragon,
My fears will consume me.
I shall live in my illusions.
Oh love,
If I have been unkind,
Unloving or acted in ignorance.
If I have been unjust to others,
Seeing my own weaknesses in them.
Forgive me,
Oh gracious one.
And give me the grace to make amends,
That we may walk again in harmony.
Arise,
Oh beloved,
In your steadfast love.
Shield me from the demons within.
Stay near me heart of my heart and I shall be strong to face my fears and illusions.
Let all the fragmented parts of my being gather around you.
Help me to face them one by one.
Love's healing presence will mend all that has been broken.
I shall once again be made whole.
Oh let the terrible fears that keep me from loving come to an end.
Establish integrity within me,
You who readily forgive us.
You who call us back home to love.
My shield is with love,
Who dwells within my open heart.
Love is kind and gracious,
Quick to forgive and pleased to share the mystery of life.
If I close my heart to love,
The beloved awaits close by.
Love cultivates the soil of my heart,
Planting sacred seeds in its garden.
Take notice,
Even should I wander far from love's path.
Though I err and walk on roads of illusion and darkness.
Should I act out of fear and ignorance,
Falling into a pit of despair.
Yet will love remain constant and sure.
I shall dwell with love in gratitude and joy.
I shall sing praises to the beloved,
Knowing my oneness with all.
On this second reading,
I invite you to be aware of any words or phrases that stand out to you.
O my beloved,
To you do I draw close.
When all my inner fears well up,
Enfold me in your strong arms.
Otherwise,
Like a fiery dragon,
My fears will consume me.
I shall live in my illusions.
O love,
If I have been unkind,
Unloving or acted in ignorance.
If I have been unjust to others,
Seeing my own weaknesses in them.
Forgive me,
O gracious one.
And give me the grace to make amends that we may walk again into harmony.
Arise,
O beloved,
In your steadfast love.
Shield me from the demons within.
Stay near me,
Heart of my heart.
And I shall be strong to face my fears and illusions.
Let all the fragmented parts of my being gather around you.
Help me to face them one by one.
Love's healing presence will mend all that has been broken.
I shall once again be made whole.
O let the terrible fears that keep me from loving come to an end.
Establish integrity within me,
You who readily forgive us.
You who call us back home to love.
My shield is with love,
Who dwells within my open heart.
Love is kind and gracious,
Quick to forgive and pleased to share the great mystery of life.
If I close my heart to love,
The beloved awaits close by.
Love cultivates the soil of my heart,
Planting sacred seeds in its garden.
Take notice,
Even should I wander far from love's path,
Though I err and walk on roads of illusion and darkness.
Should I act out of fear and ignorance,
Falling into a pit of despair?
Yet will love remain constant and sure.
I shall dwell with love in gratitude and joy.
I shall sing praises to the beloved,
Knowing my oneness withal.
And on this third and final reading,
Invite the words and phrases that you connected with to minister what you need today,
To bring the encouragement and hope that you need.
O my beloved,
To you do I draw close,
When all my inner fears well up,
Enfold me in your strong arms.
Otherwise,
Like a fiery dragon,
My fears will consume me.
I shall live in my illusions.
O love,
If I have been unkind,
Unloving or acted in ignorance,
If I have been unjust to others,
Seeing my own weaknesses in them,
Forgive me,
O gracious one,
And give me the grace to make amends that we may walk again in harmony.
Arise,
O beloved,
In your steadfast love.
Shield me from the demons within.
Stay near me,
Heart of my heart,
And I shall be strong to face my fears and illusions.
Let all the fragmented parts of my being gather around you.
Help me to face them one by one.
Love's healing presence will mend all that has been broken.
I shall once again be made whole.
O let the terrible fears that keep me from loving come to an end.
Establish integrity within me,
You who readily forgive us,
You who call us back home to love.
My shield is with love,
Who dwells within my open heart.
Love is kind and gracious,
Quick to forgive and pleased to share the great mystery of life.
If I close my heart to love,
The beloved awaits close by.
Love cultivates the soil of my heart,
Planting sacred seeds in its garden.
Take notice,
Even should I wander far from love's path,
Though I err and walk on roads of illusion and darkness.
Should I act out of fear and ignorance,
Falling into a pit of despair?
Yet will love remain constant and sure.
I shall dwell with love in gratitude and joy.
I shall sing praises to the beloved,
Knowing my oneness withal.
And as you leave this Lectio Divina,
May you know grace,
Peace,
Hope and great love.
Amen.
