Hello and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 1,
Recording outside.
I invite you to welcome the sounds of nature and life,
The stream running through the garden,
The birds,
The insects,
Maybe the odd car going down the lane or an aeroplane overhead.
To welcome these as part of this meditation.
As a way to settle,
I'm simply going to be quiet and allow you a few moments to absorb the sounds that are arriving at this time.
And as you do settle in,
Get comfortable,
Allow your heart and your body to be open to receive.
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I'm going to read the Psalm three times.
And on this first reading,
I invite you to simply welcome the words,
To let them come without attaching to any in particular.
Blessed are those who walk hand in hand with goodness,
Who stand beside virtue,
Who sit in the seat of truth.
For their delight is in the spirit of love.
And in love's heart they dwell day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water that yield fruit in due season and their leaves flourish.
And in all that they do,
They give life.
The unloving are not so.
They are like dandelions which the wind blows away,
Turning from the heart of love.
They will know suffering and pain.
They will be isolated from wisdom.
For love knows the way of truth.
The way of ignorance will perish as love's penetrating light breaks through hearts filled with illusions.
Forgiveness is the way.
On this second reading,
I invite you to notice any words or phrases that stand out to you and that capture your attention.
Blessed are those who walk hand in hand with goodness,
Who stand beside virtue,
Who sit in the seat of truth.
For their delight is in the spirit of love.
And in love's heart they dwell day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water that yield fruit in due season and their leaves flourish.
And in all that they do,
They give life.
The unloving are not so.
They are like dandelions which the wind blows away,
Turning from the heart of love.
They will know suffering and pain.
They will be isolated from wisdom.
For love knows the way of truth.
The way of ignorance will perish as love's penetrating light breaks through hearts filled with illusions.
Forgiveness is the way.
On this third and final reading,
I invite you to notice what it is about the words and phrases that captured your attention.
How are they making you feel?
How are you being stirred?
What are they inviting or offering you?
What need do they meet in you at this time?
Welcome them to connect more deeply with you and to bring their gift.
Blessed are those who walk hand in hand with goodness,
Who stand beside virtue,
Who sit in the seat of truth.
For their delight is in the spirit of love,
And in love's heart they dwell day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water that yield fruit in due season and their leaves flourish.
And in all that they do,
They give life.
The unloving are not so.
They are like dandelions which the wind blows away.
Turning from the heart of love,
They will know suffering and pain.
They will be isolated from wisdom.
For love knows the way of truth.
The way of ignorance will perish as love's penetrating light breaks through hearts filled with illusions.
Forgiveness is the way.
I invite you to return to these words to keep receiving their gift.
And as a way to end today,
I'm going to spend a few moments being quiet once more for you to listen to the sounds of the garden.
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