Hello and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 34,
Taken again from Nan Merrill's Psalms for Praying,
An invitation to wholeness.
I invite you to settle and to become still as we prepare.
Coming into a comfortable position,
Either seated or lying down.
Let your body become heavy.
Letting your shoulders drop and sinking yourself into the ground or the chair.
Welcome these few moments to allow the day to fall away and to simply be here,
Receiving the gift that these words offer.
It may help to close your eyes,
To let your attention drift inward,
Noticing your breathing.
Aware of your body in the room.
Aware of your body outside,
If that's where you are.
Simply letting yourself be here.
Know that as we come to this Lectio Divina you are loved,
You are seen,
You are known.
I'm going to read this Psalm twice.
On this first reading,
Allow the words to come as a gentle rain without attaching to any in particular.
I will bless the beloved at all times.
A song of praise will I sing.
My soul speaks to the beloved continually.
Let all who suffer here and be glad.
Oh,
Open your hearts,
Friends,
That your pain and loneliness be turned to love.
And then we shall rejoice in the beloved together.
When I searched for love,
The beloved answered within my heart and all my fears flew away.
Look to the beloved and your emptiness will be filled.
Your face will radiate love.
For when you weep,
The beloved hears and comes to companion you.
Your burdens are eased by love.
The beloved sends angels when you call upon these messengers for guidance and light.
For their gracious inspiration,
One with love,
You are never alone.
Happy are all who dwell in the beloved's heart.
Abandon yourself into love's hands,
Oh,
You holy ones.
For those who give themselves to the beloved lack no good thing.
Everyone separated from love is empty and hungry within.
But those who open their hearts to the beloved are filled to overflowing.
Oh,
Come and see,
Come and hear how we honour the beloved.
Many there are who desire life,
Who yearn for fulfilment,
Who covet the wisdom of truth.
Keep your heart open and free.
Take time to dwell in the silence.
Become a peaceful presence in the world.
For the beloved sees the deeds of our hearts.
And hears our innermost thoughts.
The face of the beloved turns from the evil ways of men and women.
For love is kind and merciful and remembers not our sins.
Rather,
The beloved is patient.
Ever waiting for us to cry out for forgiveness,
To embrace love's way.
How often the beloved weeps with compassion over those who are crushed in spirit.
Though we are beset with many fears that cause illness and troubles.
The beloved is ever ready to comfort us in our sorrows.
To strengthen us on our soul's journey to wholeness.
The beloved renews the life of all who surrender to love.
On this second reading,
I invite you to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
Notice how they feel in your body.
What it's like to hear them.
What they stir within you.
And what their gift may be.
I will bless the beloved at all times.
A song of praise will I sing.
My soul speaks to the beloved continually.
Let all who suffer hear and be glad.
Oh,
Open your hearts,
Friends.
Let your pain and loneliness be turned to love.
And then we shall rejoice in the beloved together.
When I searched for love,
The beloved answered within my heart.
And all my fears flew away.
Look to the beloved and your emptiness will be filled.
Your face will radiate love.
For when you weep,
The beloved hears and comes to companion you.
Your burdens are eased by love.
The beloved sends angels when you call upon these messengers for guidance and light.
For their gracious inspiration,
One with love,
You are never alone.
Happy are all who dwell in the beloved's heart.
Abandon yourself into love's hands,
Oh you holy ones.
For those who give themselves to the beloved lack no good thing.
Everyone separated from love is empty and hungry within.
But those who open their hearts to the beloved are filled to overflowing.
Oh,
Come and see,
Come and hear how we honour the beloved.
Many there are who desire life,
Who yearn for fulfilment,
Who covet the wisdom of truth.
Keep your heart open and free.
Take time to dwell in the silence.
Become a peaceful presence in the world.
For the beloved sees the deeds of our hearts and hears our innermost thoughts.
The face of the beloved turns from the evil ways of men and women.
For love is kind and merciful and remembers not our sins.
Rather,
The beloved is patient,
Ever waiting for us to cry out for forgiveness,
To embrace love's way.
How often the beloved weeps with compassion over those who are crushed in spirit.
Though we are beset with many fears that cause illness and troubles,
The beloved is ever ready to comfort us in our sorrows.
To strengthen us on our soul's journey to wholeness.
The beloved renews the life of all who surrender to love.
If you want to spend some more time with these words,
Do listen again and welcome the gift that they offer.
Welcome them to bring you what you need in this moment and at this time.
May you be blessed and may you know yourself loved and held.
Grace and peace to you.
Amen.
