Hello friends,
And today I'd like to offer you a blessing in the form of a Lectio Divina.
It's from the book,
The Cure for Sorrow,
A book of blessings for times of grief,
And it's by Jan Richardson.
So before we come to the blessing,
We're going to spend a few moments coming to stillness.
I invite you to close your eyes or lower them towards the floor and gently bring your attention to breath.
And as you follow the rhythm of your breathing,
Allow stillness and rest to come.
As you exhale,
Allow the shoulders to drop.
Feel yourself sinking into the chair,
Supported,
Held.
Letting go of the day so far and of what's to come.
If thoughts and distractions come,
Allow them to pass through,
Observing them without judging or attaching.
Welcome the grace to be present.
Know that you are loved and seen and known.
This blessing is called,
Beginning with Beloved.
I invite you on this first reading to simply welcome the words and let them wash in and through you.
Beginning with Beloved.
And a voice came from heaven,
You are my son,
The Beloved.
In here,
Beloved.
Is there any other word needs saying?
Any other blessing could compare with this name,
This knowing,
Beloved.
Comes like a mercy to the ear that has never heard it.
Comes like a river to the body that has never seen such grace.
Beloved.
Comes holy to the heart,
Aching to be new.
Comes healing to the soul,
Wanting to begin again.
Beloved.
Keep saying it.
And though it may sound strange at first,
Watch how it becomes part of you.
How it becomes you.
As if you never could have known yourself anything else.
As if you could ever have been other than this.
Beloved.
On this second reading,
I invite you to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
And a voice came from heaven,
You are my son,
The Beloved.
In here,
Beloved.
Is there any other word needs saying?
Any other blessing could compare with this name,
This knowing,
Beloved.
Comes like a mercy to the ear that has never heard it.
Comes like a river to the body that has never seen such grace.
Beloved.
Comes holy to the heart,
Aching to be new.
Comes healing to the soul,
Wanting to begin again.
Beloved.
Keep saying it.
And though it may sound strange at first,
Watch how it becomes part of you.
How it becomes you.
As if you never could have known yourself anything else.
As if you could ever have been other than this.
Beloved.
And as we come to this third and final reading,
Allow the words or phrases that stood out to you to go deeper.
To minister to you what you need in this moment,
In this day.
And a voice came from heaven,
You are my son,
The Beloved.
Begin here,
Beloved.
Is there any other word needs saying?
Any other blessing could compare with this name,
This knowing,
Beloved.
Comes like a mercy to the ear that has never heard it.
Comes like a river to the body that has never seen such grace.
Beloved.
Comes holy to the heart,
Aching to be new.
Comes healing to the soul,
Wanting to begin again.
Beloved.
Keep saying it.
And though it may sound strange at first,
Watch how it becomes part of you.
How it becomes you.
As if you never could have known yourself anything else.
As if you could ever have been other than this.
Beloved.
May you know yourself to be the Beloved today.
May you know yourself to be tenderly cared for and perfectly loved.
Amen.
