Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 85.
I invite you to arrive and settle into your space,
To come into a comfortable position,
Attentive and ready to receive these words.
Take a few deeper,
Wider breaths,
Let your shoulders sink,
Let your face soften,
Let your body release.
Invite your heart to open to receive the goodness that awaits you as these words are spoken.
I'm going to read this psalm three times.
On this first reading simply let the words come like a gentle rain.
You don't need to attach or notice any in particular.
Psalm 85.
Oh beloved how gracious you are to your people.
You restore their souls time and time again.
You forgive their distractions when they wander far from you.
You give them new life.
Yes you bless them and raise up new hope.
You awaken their hearts to love.
Restore us again oh spirit of truth.
Burn us with the refining fire of love.
We cannot live separated from you.
Cast out the demons of fear doubt and illusion.
Revive us again we pray.
May your people rejoice in you.
Have compassion on your people oh holy one and grant us your forgiveness.
Listen oh people in the silent chapel of your heart and the beloved will speak of peace to you.
To the hidden saints,
To all who turn their hearts to love.
Surely new life is at hand for those who reverence love.
Oh that harmony might dwell among the nations.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.
Righteousness and peace will embrace one another.
Wisdom will spring up from the ground and truth will look down from the sky.
Yes the eternal giver will grant what is good and the lands will yield abundantly.
Mercy and compassion are love's way.
You will guide our footsteps upon the path of peace as we recognize with open hearts that you are our peace.
On this second reading you're invited to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
Oh beloved how gracious you are to your people.
You restore their souls time and time again.
You forgive their distractions when they wander far from you.
You give them new life.
Yes you bless them and raise up new hope.
You awaken their hearts to love.
Restore us again oh spirit of truth.
Burn us with the refining fire of love.
We cannot live separated from you.
Cast out the demons of fear doubt and illusion.
Revive us again we pray.
May your people rejoice in you.
Have compassion on your people oh holy one and grant us your forgiveness.
Listen oh people in the silent chapel of your heart and the beloved will speak of peace to you,
To the hidden saints,
To all who turn their hearts to love.
Surely new life is at hand for those who reverence love.
Oh that harmony might dwell among the nations.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.
Righteousness and peace will embrace one another.
Wisdom will spring up from the ground and truth will look down from the sky.
Yes the eternal giver will grant what is good and the lands will yield abundantly.
Mercy and compassion are love's way.
You will guide our footsteps upon the path of peace as we recognize with open hearts that you are our peace.
On this third and final reading,
Welcome those words or phrases to the deeper places within yourself as if they unfold and unfurl within you,
Bringing you invitation,
Offering you what you need.
Connecting to your life story at this time.
Notice how you're responding to them emotionally in your body.
Notice what they evoke.
Receive them deeply and let them find a resting place within.
Oh beloved how gracious you are to your people.
You restore their souls time and time again.
You forgive their distractions when they wander far from you.
You give them new life.
Yes you bless them and raise up new hope.
You awaken their hearts to love.
Restore us again oh spirit of truth.
Burn us with the refining fire of love.
We cannot live separated from you.
Cast out the demons of fear,
Doubt and illusion.
Revive us again we pray.
May your people rejoice in you.
Have compassion on your people oh holy one and grant us your forgiveness.
Listen oh people in the silent chapel of your heart and the beloved will speak of peace to you,
To the hidden saints,
To all who turn their hearts to love.
Surely new life is at hand for those who reverence love.
Oh that harmony might dwell among the nations.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.
Righteousness and peace will embrace one another.
Wisdom will spring up from the ground and truth will look down from the sky.
Yes the eternal giver will grant what is good and the lands will yield abundantly.
Mercy and compassion are love's way.
You will guide our footsteps upon the path of peace as we recognize with open hearts that you are our peace.
Linger with these words.
May love meet you here.
Amen.
