Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 41,
Reading from Nan Merrill's book Psalms for Praying.
As we come to this Psalm,
I invite you to spend a few moments coming to stillness.
You may want to lower your eyes and take a few deep,
Wide breaths,
Letting yourself sink and settle.
Welcoming this opportunity to be seen and held and supported.
Remembering that you are loved.
And giving some space for these words to come and wrap themselves around you,
Bringing their gift.
I'm going to read the Psalm three times and on this first reading I invite you to simply let the words come without attaching to any in particular.
Who among us hears the cry of the poor?
How many open their hearts and heed the call?
The plight of the world is a wound to the very heart of love.
A scar on our own souls.
Blessed are those who lovingly respond.
The friend who knows all hearts will remember their kindness.
They will know joy,
Peace and deep fulfilment working in harmony with all who serve toward healing the needs of this troubled world.
As for me,
I prayed,
O soul mender,
Be gracious unto me.
For I have been deaf to those in need.
My fears paralysed me.
I am bound like a prisoner held in my own house,
Alone and abandoned.
Each fear I push away or deny rises up with power.
Feeling anxious lies and deceit take the place of truth.
I can hide no longer my confusion.
The way I blame others have turned even my friends away.
O divine healer,
Help me face the fears that threaten to overwhelm me.
Without your guidance they will bring about what I most fear.
I am on my knees asking for forgiveness.
Give me strength to turn all that separates me from you into love and kindness.
You who are unconditional love,
You do not judge our weaknesses.
Raise me up that I may be renewed in body,
Mind and soul.
By this I know that you have graciously forgiven me.
Fear did not triumph over me,
Though my heart was broken open so the light could enter in.
You upheld me,
Filled me with integrity and opened my heart to the poor.
And be the beloved,
Loving presence to all hearts open to love,
From everlasting to everlasting.
Amen.
For this second reading I invite you to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
Who among us hears the cry of the poor?
How many open their hearts and heed the call?
The plight of the world is a wound to the very heart of love,
A scar on our own souls.
Blessed are those who lovingly respond.
The friend who knows all hearts will remember their kindness.
They will know joy,
Peace and deep fulfilment working in harmony with all who serve toward healing the needs of this troubled world.
As for me,
I prayed,
O soul mender,
Be gracious unto me.
For I have been deaf to those in need.
My fears paralysed me.
I am bound like a prisoner held in my own house,
Alone and abandoned.
Each fear I push away or deny rises up with power.
Feeling anxious,
Lies and deceit take the place of truth.
I can hide no longer my confusion,
The way I blame others,
Have turned even my friends away.
O divine healer,
Help me face the fears that threaten to overwhelm me.
Without your guidance they will bring about what I most fear.
I am on my knees asking for forgiveness.
Give me strength to turn all that separates me from you into love and kindness.
You who are unconditional love,
You do not judge our weaknesses.
Raise me up that I may be renewed in body,
Mind and soul.
By this I know that you have graciously forgiven me.
Fear did not triumph over me,
Though my heart was broken open so the light could enter in.
You upheld me,
Filled me with integrity and opened my heart to the poor.
Blessed be the beloved,
Loving presence to all hearts open to love,
From everlasting to everlasting.
Amen.
On this third and final reading,
I invite you to welcome those words and phrases that stood out to you to offer their gift.
What are they inviting?
How do they make you feel?
What challenge do they bring?
Be curious about them and welcome them to bring what you need at this time.
Who among us hears the cry of the poor?
How many open their hearts and heed the call?
The plight of the world is a wound to the very heart of love,
A scar on our own souls.
Blessed are those who lovingly respond.
The friend who knows all hearts will remember their kindness.
They will know joy,
Peace and deep fulfillment working in harmony with all who serve toward healing the needs of this troubled world.
As for me,
I prayed,
O soulmender,
Be gracious unto me,
For I have been deaf to those in need.
My fears paralyzed me.
I am bound like a prisoner held in my own house,
Alone and abandoned.
Each fear I push away or deny rises up with power.
Feeling anxious,
Lies and deceit take the place of truth.
I can hide no longer,
My confusion,
The way I blame others,
Have turned even my friends away.
O divine healer,
Help me face the fears that threaten to overwhelm me.
Without your guidance they will bring about what I most fear.
I am on my knees asking for forgiveness.
Give me strength to turn all that separates me from you into love and kindness.
You who are unconditional love,
You do not judge our weaknesses.
Raise me up that I may be renewed in body,
Mind and soul.
By this I know that you have graciously forgiven me.
Fear did not triumph over me,
Though my heart was broken open so the light could enter in.
You upheld me,
Filled me with integrity and opened my heart to the poor.
Blessed be the beloved,
Loving presence to all hearts open to love,
From everlasting to everlasting.
Amen.
