Hello friends.
Welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 101.
I invite you to take a deep wide breath or two as you arrive and settle in.
Let yourself come into your body,
Into this moment.
Gathering in from the day.
Gathering in from the day.
So far gathering in from what is coming next.
And giving yourself a welcome as the beloved gives you a welcome into this moment.
Notice yourself in your body.
Become aware of where it's possible to soften,
To sink,
To release,
To let go.
As you arrive and open to peace and rest,
Notice how you arrive into this moment.
What's present for you?
What emotions are here?
What thoughts are here?
Acknowledging without judgment.
Simply letting yourself be here.
I'm going to read the whole psalm once and then read a few verses twice more.
So let these words come as a gift.
Welcome them into your heart and your body.
Psalm 101.
I sing of loyalty and of justice to you,
O beloved,
I sing.
I give heed to the way that leads to peace,
Making a home in our hearts.
You are our living companion and friend.
May I walk with integrity where'er I go.
May I see you in all creation.
May I be a mirror of your love to all that I meet.
May I reflect the freedom of your truth and live as a beneficial presence in the world.
Forgive me,
O merciful one,
If I turn from those in need.
Humble me if I become arrogant and greedy.
Embrace me with your presence.
I accompany those who love you that I may grow in wisdom.
I enter into the silence,
Into the eternal light.
And listen for your gentle voice.
For no one who oppresses another,
Who keep company with injustice,
Will dwell in the house of love.
And no one who prefers darkness will live in the glory of light.
In the morning I offer myself to you in prayer.
By night I surrender to you in trust.
O that I might walk in the light with a grateful heart and radiate peace to the world.
On this second reading I'm going to offer those last few verses.
Notice any words or phrases from them that stand out to you and capture your attention.
In the morning I offer myself to you in prayer.
By night I surrender to you in trust.
O that I might walk in the light with a grateful heart and radiate peace to the world.
On this third reading welcome those words or phrases to unfold within you.
To bring their invitation,
Their gift.
Notice any response that you want to bring.
Notice how they make you feel and what is being stirred within you as you hear them.
In the morning I offer myself to you in prayer.
By night I surrender to you in trust.
O that I might walk in the light with a grateful heart and radiate peace to the world.
Do return to these words.
Do go back to the beginning and listen to the whole psalm again if you want to.
And as I leave you I'm going to take those last few verses and offer them to you as a prayer of blessing.
In the morning may you offer yourself in prayer.
At night may you surrender in trust knowing yourself held and loved.
May you walk in the light with a grateful and joyful heart.
May you radiate peace to the world.
Go gently and softly my friends.
Know yourself loved tenderly and kindly.
May you receive the blessing of the goodness of the beloved.
Amen.
