Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 73.
I invite you to arrive and settle in,
To find a comfortable position,
To gently let stillness and rest meet you,
Slowly letting the exterior close down and begin to become aware of your breath.
And as you follow the inhale and the exhale,
Letting that breath bring you into your body.
Whether you're lying down or sitting,
I invite you to sink and to let yourself drop into into the floor or the seat,
To allow yourself to be held and supported.
Notice any places of tension or tightness,
Breathing into them and letting them go.
Know that in this moment you are met with love,
That you're deeply seen and known,
That the beloved is here to find you and meet with you in these words.
I'm going to read the whole psalm once and then return to a few verses twice more.
As I read the psalm through completely once,
Allow these words to come as they will,
Not necessarily attaching to any in particular.
Psalm 73.
Truly the beloved is near to those with open hearts,
To those who abandon themselves to love.
But as for me,
I almost lost the way when my heart was consumed with my own desires.
For I was arrogant and yearned for wealth when I saw the power of the rich.
For they seem to have little conscience and are appointed well in all things.
They buy their way out of trouble and lack for nothing that power can buy.
Therefore pride is their necklace,
Greed covers them as a garment.
They become puffed up and deceitful.
Their hearts ear closed to love's voice.
They speak with contempt for the poor and haughtily they threaten oppression.
They rationalise their avarice,
Believing themselves above love's way.
In turn the people praise them and yearn to follow on their path.
And they say,
Because we are prosperous we are blessed by the Most High.
Surely upright are our ways.
Behold,
These are the ignorant.
Always at ease they increase in riches.
Has it been in vain that I have opened my heart and washed my hands in innocence?
For trouble seems to follow me as I weep over the injustice that seems to blanket the world.
If I had pursued their ways I would have been untrue to my birthright.
Yet when I tried to understand this it seemed beyond my comprehension.
Until I stayed in the silence and prayed.
Then a veil lifted and I could see.
Truly they walk a dangerous road with fear as their constant companion.
For when their wealth is lost or disaster threatens to bring them down,
They will have forgotten the only treasure.
They will be so far from their true estate.
When my soul was embittered,
When I was arrogant at heart,
I was blind and ignorant.
I was like a spoiled child to its parents.
Still you were ever near to me.
You waited for me to see.
Now you guide me with your counsel.
I am at home in your heart.
What is my treasure but your love?
There is nothing upon earth that I desire besides you.
My body and my mind may fail,
But you are the strength of my heart and my joy forever.
Those who are far from you will live in fear.
You do not compel them to open their hearts.
As for me,
I delight in walking in the love of the Lord.
I invite the friend into my heart,
That I may live with love.
So on this second reading,
I'm going to bring just a few verses.
I invite you to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
What is my treasure but your love?
There is nothing upon earth that I desire besides you.
My body and my mind may fail,
But you are the strength of my heart and my joy forever.
And on this third and final reading of those few verses,
Allow the words or phrases to capture your attention to bring the fullness of their gift.
Notice any ways in which you want to respond.
Notice what they offer you and what they invite.
What is my treasure but your love?
There is nothing upon earth that I desire besides you.
My body and my mind may fail,
But you are the strength of my heart and my joy forever.
Do of course return to these words,
Continue to receive their gift and their fullness.
May you be blessed and graced in the tender love of the beloved always.
Amen.
