Welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 49.
And as we start taking this opportunity to arrive here,
To step over the threshold into this moment,
Into this time.
And as you step into this moment allowing anything that wants and needs to fall away,
To fall away,
To find yourself here,
Receiving the grace to be present to these words as they come.
Noticing your breath,
Allowing yourself to fully arrive,
To sink into this moment,
To be held,
Supported,
To know that you are met with love and kindness.
Allow yourself to settle into your body,
And to be open to receive what the Beloved wants to give you in this Lectio Divina.
I'm going to read the whole Psalm just once,
And then focus in on a few verses for the Lectio Divina.
Hear this all nations,
Give ear all inhabitants of the earth,
Both low and high,
Rich and poor together.
My mouth shall speak wisdom,
The meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
I will incline my ear to the word,
I will solve my problems through the whispers of the heart's voice.
Why should I give up in times of trouble,
When stubborn fears oppress me,
When illusion surrounds me,
Fears that give birth to greed and lead to exploitation?
Truly I cannot save myself or offer a haven of peace to another.
When my home is like a hornet's nest,
A hive of restless fears,
Turning to you,
Oh guiding spirit,
Is my strength and support,
A stronghold in times of trouble.
Yes,
Even the wise are not immune to fear,
Yet unlike the ignorant,
The wise face their fears with resolve,
Not running away,
Nor projecting them onto others.
They trace them to the source,
Rooting them out as weeds from a rose garden.
Thus they do not trust in the riches of the world,
But in the treasure hidden within the heart.
Others are arrogant in their ignorance,
Proud of their own counsel.
Like sheep led to slaughter,
Their fears compel them to walk in the darkness,
Guiding them onto unholy paths,
Into webs of intrigue,
Where despair and destruction make their home.
Yet does the spirit of truth abide within,
Veiled by bulwarks of pain.
Be not afraid to discover the treasure within,
To seek the gold hidden in the garden of your heart,
For inasmuch as you root out each fear,
Will truth and peace and joy become your riches.
You will live in the realm of love,
Becoming a light,
A beneficial presence in the world.
Future generations will be blessed,
The bonds of ignorance broken forever.
O spirit of truth,
You are our strength and our guiding light.
Lead us,
O love,
To the eternal treasure,
The heart of all hearts.
I'm going to read the last few verses of Psalm 49 twice more.
And on this first reading I invite you to notice any words or phrases that stand out to you.
Be not afraid to discover the treasure within,
To seek the gold hidden in the garden of your heart,
For inasmuch as you root out each fear,
Will truth and peace and joy become your riches.
You will live in the realm of love,
Becoming a light,
A beneficial presence in the world.
Future generations will be blessed,
The bonds of ignorance broken forever.
O spirit of truth,
You are our strength and our guiding light.
Lead us,
O love,
To the eternal treasure,
The heart of all hearts.
On this second reading,
Welcome those words or phrases that stood out to you to offer their gift.
Notice what they're stirring within you,
Notice the response that's rising within.
Let them bring their gift and land within those deep places.
Receive them as gifts from the beloved to your heart and your being to bring you what you need at this time.
Be not afraid to discover the treasure within,
To seek the gold hidden in the garden of your heart,
For inasmuch as you root out each fear,
Will truth and peace and joy become your riches.
You will live in the realm of love,
Becoming a light,
A beneficial presence in the world.
Future generations will be blessed,
The bonds of ignorance broken forever.
O spirit of truth,
You are our strength and our guiding light.
Lead us,
O love,
To the eternal treasure,
The heart of all hearts.
Do linger here a while,
Do return to those words if you want to hear them again,
And be blessed.
Grace and peace to you.
Amen.
