Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 24.
I'm recording outside so please enjoy the sounds of nature and of life as it happens during this meditation.
As we begin I invite you to come to a place of stillness and settledness as you prepare to receive these words.
Let yourself arrive in this moment,
Body,
Soul and spirit.
Let your shoulders drop and your body sink,
Knowing that you're held and supported,
That you're known and deeply loved.
Become aware of your breathing,
Following the inhale and the exhale and taking a few deeper,
Wider breaths.
Let any thoughts or distractions pass through,
Observing them as they do,
Letting them go as prayers if that's helpful for you.
Receive the gift of this moment and the grace to be present here and now.
I'm going to read this Psalm three times and on this first reading I invite you to simply let the words come without attaching to any in particular.
Psalm 24.
O gracious one,
And who shall stand in your holy place?
All who have clean hands and pure hearts,
Who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
Nor make vows deceitfully.
All these will be blessed by the heart of love and renewed through forgiveness.
Such is the promise to those who seek love's face.
Lift up your heads,
O gates,
And be lifted up,
O ancient doors,
That the compassionate one may come in.
Who is the compassionate one?
The beloved strong and steadfast,
The beloved firm and sure.
Lift up your heads,
O gates,
And be lifted up,
O ancient doors,
That the compassionate one may come in.
Who is this compassionate one?
The beloved heart of your heart,
Life of your life.
This is the compassionate one.
So on this second reading,
Notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
The earth is yours,
O giver of life,
In all its fullness and glory,
The world and all those who dwell therein.
For you have founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend your hill,
O gracious one,
And who shall stand in your holy place?
All who have clean hands and pure hearts,
Who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
Nor make vows deceitfully.
All these will be blessed by the heart of love and renewed through forgiveness.
Such is the promise to those who seek love's face.
Lift up your heads,
O gates,
And be lifted up,
O ancient doors,
That the compassionate one may come in.
Who is the compassionate one?
The beloved,
Strong and steadfast,
The beloved firm and sure.
Lift up your heads,
O gates,
And be lifted up,
O ancient doors,
That the compassionate one may come in.
Who is this compassionate one?
The beloved,
Heart of your heart,
Life of your life.
This is the compassionate one.
And on this third and final reading,
Welcome more deeply those words and phrases.
Let them bring you what you need.
Let them be a gift and minister to you.
The earth is yours,
O giver of life,
In all its fullness and glory,
The world and all those who dwell therein.
For you have founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend your hill,
O gracious one,
And who shall stand in your holy place?
All who have clean hands and pure hearts,
Who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
Nor make vows deceitfully.
All these will be blessed by the heart of love and renewed through forgiveness.
Such is the promise to those who seek love's face.
Lift up your heads,
O gates,
And be lifted up,
O ancient doors,
That the compassionate one may come in.
Who is the compassionate one?
The beloved,
Strong and steadfast,
The beloved,
Firm and sure.
Lift up your heads,
O gates,
And be lifted up,
O ancient doors,
That the compassionate one may come in.
Who is this compassionate one?
The beloved,
Heart of your heart,
Life of your life,
This is the compassionate one.
May these words continue to live and be alive to you and to continue to be a gift in this moment of life.
As we leave today,
I pray blessing and grace,
Love and generosity towards you in its fullness.
Amen.
.
