Hello and welcome to Psalm 26.
Recording outside.
So invite the sounds of nature and of life to be part of this meditation.
And as we come to this Psalm to begin with we're going to have some time to come to stillness and rest.
So let yourself arrive into this space.
Let your mind and your emotions catch up and be where your body is.
Whether you're walking or sitting or lying down,
Feel the connection between your body and the ground.
Know yourself to be held,
Supported,
Sustained.
Take a few moments to arrive into this space and this moment here and now.
We welcome stillness.
We welcome rest.
We welcome the grace to be present in this moment.
Become aware of your breathing,
Following the inhale and the exhale.
Taking a few deeper wider breaths.
Letting the shoulders drop as you exhale.
Letting your body sink.
Know that here and now you are met with love,
With compassion,
With kindness and with an extravagant love.
Know that you are the beloved.
So Psalm 26.
I'm going to read this Psalm three times.
On this first reading I invite you to simply let the words come without attaching to any in particular.
Speak on my behalf,
Oh beloved,
For I would choose the path that leads back home.
Trusting in your love without reserve.
May my heart be as your heart.
May my mind be as your mind.
May your steadfast love guide me as I live according to your will.
You,
Oh Counsellor,
Are my strength and my guide.
So I choose the path of peace and wholeness.
I walk with friends of integrity and associate with those who live in truth.
I love the company of faith-filled people and count myself among those who make your word their own.
Cleanse my heart in innocence that I might childlike be.
Singing songs of thanksgiving and proclaiming the beloved's way.
Oh loving presence,
I cherish your dwelling place,
My heart.
Oh that I might radiate love divine,
Keep me always in your presence,
Ever ready to praise your name.
Make me wholly complete in you.
Write my name among the saints.
For I choose the path of peace and wholeness.
The Counsellor is my strength and my guide.
Standing with equanimity in heaven's blessed company,
I shall know love and peace.
Beyond the world's understanding,
Blessed are you,
Oh my beloved.
So on this second reading,
I invite you to notice any words or phrases that stand out to you,
That capture your attention.
Speak on my behalf,
Oh beloved,
For I would choose the path that leads back home.
Trusting in your love without reserve.
May my heart be as your heart,
May my mind be as your mind.
May your steadfast love guide me as I live according to your will.
You,
Oh Counsellor,
Are my strength and my guide.
So I choose the path of peace and wholeness.
I walk with friends of integrity and associate with those who live in truth.
I love the company of faith-filled people and count myself among those who make your word their own.
Cleanse my heart in innocence that I might childlike be.
Singing songs of thanksgiving and proclaiming the beloved's way.
Oh loving presence,
I cherish your dwelling place,
My heart.
Oh that I might radiate love divine,
Keep me always in your presence,
Ever ready to praise your name.
Make me holy,
Complete in you.
Write my name among the saints.
For I choose the path of peace and wholeness.
The Counsellor is my strength and my guide.
Standing with equanimity in heaven's blessed company,
I shall know love and peace,
Beyond the world's understanding.
Blessed are you,
Oh my beloved.
And on this third and final reading,
Welcome those words or phrases to go deeper.
Allow them to connect with what you need,
To bring their invitation,
Their offering,
To notice how they're stirring you,
How they're making you feel,
What desires are being provoked as you hear those words and phrases.
Welcome them to bring their gift in this third reading.
Speak on my behalf,
Oh beloved,
For I would choose the path that leads back home.
Trusting in your love without reserve.
May my heart be as your heart.
May my mind be as your mind.
May your steadfast love guide me,
As I live according to your will.
You,
Oh Counsellor,
Are my strength and my guide.
So I choose the path of peace and wholeness.
I walk with friends of integrity and associate with those who live in truth.
I love the company of faith-filled people and count myself among those who make your word their own.
Cleanse my heart in innocence that I might childlike be,
Singing songs of thanksgiving and proclaiming the beloved's way.
Oh loving presence,
I cherish your dwelling place,
My heart.
Oh that I might radiate love divine.
Keep me always in your presence,
Ever ready to praise your name.
Make me holy,
Complete in you.
Write my name among the saints.
For I choose the path of peace and wholeness.
The Counsellor is my strength and my guide.
Standing with equanimity in heaven's blessed company,
I shall know love and peace beyond the world's understanding.
Blessed are you,
Oh my beloved.
And complete with aeroplanes overhead and a dog chewing on a stick,
I leave you.
I encourage you to re-listen if you want to hear the words again.
I encourage you to read the words again.
I encourage you to read the words again.
I encourage you to re-listen if you want to hear the words again.
Maybe linger a while if you have time and welcome those words and phrases to bring their gift.
My friends,
It is such an honour to offer you these Lectio Divinas and to be slowly working our way through the Psalms together.
I so appreciate you listening and being here with me.
It means a very great deal.
I leave you with peace,
With love,
With grace and with great hope.
Amen.
