Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 45.
Allow yourself to come to stillness gradually and gently.
Getting into a comfortable position and slowly letting your attention be drawn to your breath.
Following the inhale and the exhale.
As you notice your breathing,
Welcome stillness.
Welcome peace.
Let your shoulders drop and your body sink.
Allowing the day so far to fall away.
Knowing that there are no demands right now except to be here and to be present to these words.
Receive the grace to be open to the words of this Psalm and the gift that they contain.
If you find yourself distracted,
Return to your breath and the sound of my voice.
I'm going to read the Psalm three times.
And on this first reading I invite you to allow the words to simply fall like a rain without attaching to any in particular.
I address my verses to the heart of all hearts.
My tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
My heart overflows with gratitude and peace.
You are the lodestar for humankind.
Grace springs forth from your love.
You who are closer than our breath speak to us from the silence.
Those who listen and heed are blessed beyond belief.
Put on the voice of authority,
O beloved.
Speak to us in your glory and grandeur.
With mercy and strength,
Go forth for the cause of truth to teach love's way.
With resolute authority awaken your people towards wholeness.
Your ways are narrow and few there are who choose to follow.
Many stumble and fall all along the way.
Your divine presence endures forever and ever.
Your sovereign edict is ordained with justice.
Your love is unconditional without reserve.
Therefore,
O Creator,
O heart of love,
Anoint us with the oil of gladness to share with all.
Your raiment is as fragrant blossoms,
Fruit of the earth.
Healing herbs from nature's bounty.
From every direction,
Stringed instruments will gladden our hearts.
Our friends will be mature and kind,
Filled with integrity,
Standing beside us in times of need.
Hear,
O people,
Consider and incline your ear.
Forget what has gone before you.
Turn your feet to the path of love.
Open your hearts to the beloved.
Learn of humility.
Be blessed even in brokenness.
For those are the treasures stored in eternity.
All glorious is the soul within,
The abode of the merciful one.
Through many trials and suffering do you come to the beloved.
Refined by fire as you follow love's way.
With joy and gladness you are led along as you awaken to the heart of your heart.
Instead of a house of fear you will come to dwell with love.
You will radiate the light of truth to all the earth.
There will you celebrate the beloved for all generations to come.
The people will praise love's way forever and ever.
On this second reading I invite you to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
I address my verses to the heart of all hearts.
My tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
My heart overflows with gratitude and peace.
You are the lodestar for humankind.
Grace springs forth from your love.
You who are closer than our breath speak to us from the silence.
Those who listen and heed are blessed beyond belief.
Put on the voice of authority.
O beloved,
Speak to us in your glory and grandeur.
With mercy and strength go forth for the cause of truth to teach love's way.
With resolute authority awaken your people towards wholeness.
Your ways are narrow and few there are who choose to follow.
Many stumble and fall all along the way.
Your divine presence endures forever and ever.
Your sovereign edict is ordained with justice.
Your love is unconditional without reserve.
Therefore,
O Creator,
O heart of love,
Anoint us with the oil of gladness to share with all.
Your raiment is as fragrant blossoms.
Fruit of the earth healing herbs from nature's bounty,
From every direction stringed instruments will gladden our hearts.
Our friends will be mature and kind,
Filled with integrity,
Standing beside us in times of need.
Hear,
O people,
Consider and incline your ear.
Forget what has gone before you.
Turn your feet to the path of love.
Open your hearts to the beloved.
Learn of humility.
Be blessed even in brokenness.
For those are the treasures stored in eternity.
All glorious is the soul within,
The abode of the merciful one.
Through many trials and suffering do you come to the beloved.
Refined by fire as you follow love's way.
With joy and gladness you are led along as you awaken to the heart of your heart.
Instead of a house of fear,
You will come to dwell with love.
You will radiate the light of truth to all the earth.
There will you celebrate the beloved for all generations to come.
The people will praise love's way forever and ever.
On this third and final reading,
I invite you to welcome those words and phrases that stood out to you,
To offer their gift,
To bring you what you need,
To perhaps invite you to change,
To transformation,
To growth.
Receive and welcome those words and phrases into the deeper parts of yourself.
I address my verses to the heart of all hearts.
My tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
My heart overflows with gratitude and peace.
You are the lodestar for humankind.
Grace springs forth from your love.
You who are closer than our breath,
Speak to us from the silence.
Those who listen and heed are blessed beyond belief.
Put on the voice of authority.
O beloved,
Speak to us in your glory and grandeur.
With mercy and strength,
Go forth for the cause of truth to teach love's way.
With resolute authority,
Awaken your people towards wholeness.
Your ways are narrow and few there are who choose to follow.
Many stumble and fall all along the way.
Your divine presence endures forever and ever.
Your sovereign edict is ordained with justice.
Your love is unconditional,
Without reserve.
Therefore,
O Creator,
O heart of love,
Anoint us with the oil of gladness to share with all.
Your raiment is as fragrant blossoms,
Fruit of the earth,
Healing herbs from nature's bounty.
From every direction,
Stringed instruments will gladden our hearts.
Our friends will be mature and kind,
Filled with integrity,
Standing beside us in times of need.
Hear,
O people,
Consider and incline your ear.
Forget what has gone before you.
Turn your feet to the path of love.
Open your hearts to the beloved.
Learn of humility.
Be blessed even in brokenness.
For those are the treasures stored in eternity.
All glorious is the soul within,
The abode of the merciful one.
Through many trials and suffering do you come to the beloved,
Refined by fire as you follow love's way.
With joy and gladness you are led along as you awaken to the heart of your heart.
Instead of a house of fear,
You will come to dwell with love.
You will radiate the light of truth to all the earth.
There will you celebrate the beloved for all generations to come.
The people will praise love's way forever and ever.
Amen.
.
