Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 15.
And today I'm recording outside,
So you may hear the sounds of birds,
Perhaps the stream in the background.
And as life goes on,
You may also hear the occasional car go by or an aeroplane flying overhead.
I hope these sounds of life in all its fullness add rather than detract from your experience of this Psalm.
So as we begin,
I invite you to come to stillness,
To let yourself arrive into this space.
Letting go of the day so far and of what's to come next and to simply be here.
Nothing demanded,
Nothing needed,
But to simply be body,
Soul and spirit in this moment.
Held in the love of God,
Seen,
Known and understood.
I'm going to read this Psalm three times.
On this first reading,
I invite you to simply welcome the words like a rain,
Without attaching or connecting to any in particular.
Psalm 15.
O Beloved,
You invite us to rest in the abode of your heart,
To forgive our weaknesses and renew our love.
Who will respond with hearts opened wide to love?
Those who walk with integrity,
Who are in harmony with your word and sing the heart's song.
Whose tongues speak truth,
Judging not others and seeking only the good.
Whose eyes behold not the outer garments of the body,
But see within the inner robe of love.
Whose own weaknesses are acknowledged and brought to light in prayer.
Those who are just in all affairs of life and take not advantage of another.
Those who dwell in the heart of love,
Who act justly with integrity.
Will join the dance of life,
Will sing the songs of joy.
Their family,
Friends and indeed the world will be blessed by their love.
This second reading is an opportunity for you to notice any words or phrases that stand out to you,
That resonate with you today.
O Beloved,
You invite us to rest in the abode of your heart,
To forgive our weaknesses and renew our love.
Who will respond with hearts opened wide to love?
Those who walk with integrity,
Who are in harmony with your word and sing the heart's song.
Whose tongues speak truth,
Judging not others and seeking only the good.
Whose eyes behold not the outer garments of the body,
But see within the inner robe of love.
Whose own weaknesses are acknowledged and brought to light in prayer.
Those who are just in all affairs of life and take not advantage of another.
Those who dwell in the heart of love,
Who act justly with integrity.
Will join the dance of life,
Will sing the songs of joy.
Their family,
Friends and indeed the world will be blessed by their love.
And this third and final reading is an opportunity to invite those words or phrases that stood out to you to go deeper,
To bring their offering,
Their invitation.
Notice how they're stirring you,
How you're responding to them.
Receive the gift that they bring today.
Welcome them to minister in this moment.
O beloved,
You invite us to rest in the abode of your heart,
To forgive our weaknesses and renew our love.
Who will respond with hearts opened wide to love?
Those who walk with integrity,
Who are in harmony with your word and sing the heart's song.
Whose tongues speak truth,
Judging not others and seeking only the good.
Whose eyes behold not the outer garments of the body but see within the inner robe of love.
Whose own weaknesses are acknowledged and brought to light in prayer.
Those who are just in all affairs of life and take not advantage of another.
Those who dwell in the heart of love,
Who act justly with integrity,
Will join the dance of life,
Will sing the songs of joy.
Their family,
Friends and indeed the world will be blessed by their love.
I invite you to stay a while with these words if you have time.
To re-listen if you want to.
And to receive the fullness of their offering.
You may want to simply be with the words or you may want to journal,
Paint,
Draw,
Create.
However you're lingering with this psalm today I pray that it will bring you blessing,
Grace,
Hope and very great love.
Amen.
