I'm taking this psalm from a book by Nan Merrill called Psalms for Praying,
An invitation to wholeness.
And she's written all the psalms in a really beautiful and intimate way.
They're not meant to be a substitute for the Hebrew Psalms,
But they are a lovely addition.
So as we come into this contemplative space,
I invite you to come to stillness by closing your eyes and bringing your attention to the breath.
That gentle movement of air in and out of the lungs.
Following that air as it moves on the inhale and the exhale.
I invite you to take some deeper,
Wider breaths as you fill the lungs and slowly exhale.
On the out breath,
Allow the shoulders to drop.
Allow your body to be supported and held.
And let your attention move from the head,
From any busyness or activity in your head,
To move down into that core central place of your being.
Where all is still and rested.
Where the divine is present.
And where you are present.
In your true self,
In your divinity.
Where you know yourself to be surrounded by the Trinity.
By Jesus.
By Holy Spirit.
By God.
And know that this space is still and peaceful.
That you are loved and seen and held in tender compassion.
I'm going to read this psalm three times.
And on the first reading,
I invite you to let the words come as a shower washing through.
Not holding onto any of them.
Just let them wash through you.
Let them come and let them go.
Psalm 2.
Wide in nations and people plot against one another.
Setting themselves apart and conspiring against the beloved and those who follow love's way.
They say to themselves,
We are free of love's law.
Humility and service are for others.
The beloved who is ever present can but smile at their foolishness.
Knowing that one day they will fall to their knees in regret.
Distracted by greed and arrogance.
They do not hear the beloved's voice whispering in the silence.
Awaken all of you living in darkness.
We are all one in love consciousness.
You live in my heart even as I dwell in yours.
For you are mine.
I am your beloved.
I have given you abundant life to love and care for all creation.
May it be for the delight of all.
Yet to know me,
Fears and illusions must be faced.
As an iron rod hitting a clay pot shining light into the darkness.
Blessed are all who have asked for forgiveness.
Whose hearts radiate the love we all are at the core.
And on this second reading,
I invite you to be aware of any words or phrases that stand out to you.
Why do nations and people plot against one another?
Setting themselves apart and conspiring against the beloved and those who follow love's way.
They say to themselves,
We are free of love's law.
Humility and service are for others.
The beloved who is ever present can but smile at their foolishness.
Knowing that one day they will fall to their knees in regret.
Distracted by greed and arrogance,
They do not hear the beloved's voice whispering in the silence.
Awaken all of you living in darkness.
We are all one in love consciousness.
You live in my heart even as I dwell in yours.
For you are mine.
I am your beloved.
I have given you abundant life to love and care for all creation.
May it be for the delight of all.
Yet to know me fears and delusions must be faced.
As an iron rod hitting a clay pot shining light into the darkness.
Blessed are all who have asked for forgiveness.
Whose hearts radiate the love we all are at the core.
And on this third and final reading,
Allow the words that have resonated with you to go deeper.
To connect with your heart.
To give you sustenance for your current journey.
And to speak deeply into what you need today.
Wider nations and people plot against one another.
Setting themselves apart and conspiring against the beloved and those who follow love's way.
They say to themselves,
We are free of love's law.
Humility and service are for others.
The beloved who is ever present can but smile at their foolishness.
Knowing that one day they will fall to their knees in regret.
Distracted by greed and arrogance they do not hear the beloved's voice whispering in the silence.
Awaken all of you living in darkness.
We are all one in love consciousness.
You live in my heart even as I dwell in yours.
For you are mine.
I am your beloved.
I have given you abundant life to love and care for all creation.
May it be for the delight of all.
Yet to know me fears and delusions must be faced.
As an iron rod hitting a clay pot shining light into the darkness.
Blessed are all who have asked for forgiveness.
Whose hearts radiate the love we all are at the core.
If you want to linger in these words,
They are in the transcript at the bottom of the video,
Please feel free to return to them.
I look forward to meeting you again in the next leptio as we work through the psalms and other places of poetry,
Prose and readings from the Bible.
And for today I leave you with hope and peace.
I leave you with sustenance and grace for the journey and much love.
