Hello and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 14.
And today I'm recording outside so you may hear noises of birds and the stream,
Maybe some lambs.
And you may hear the occasional car drive past.
So today we're coming to Psalm 14 and I'm offering this Lectio Divina practice to give you plenty of time to be with the words and phrases.
And to see how they're connecting with you and your current journey.
And as we begin I'd like to invite you to come to a still and settled place.
It may help to be in a chair with your feet connected to the floor.
Sitting in a way that's comfortable and also attentive.
Allow your attention to come inward.
And to move from the head down into the body.
Feeling the connection between the ground and the soles of your feet.
That sense of being rooted,
Grounded and held.
And let yourself arrive into this space.
Be aware of your breath.
Letting yourself sink into the chair to be held and supported.
Spending a few moments remembering that you are loved and known,
Seen and met with great compassion.
Welcome stillness.
Welcome the grace to be present here and now.
I'm going to read Psalm 14 three times.
And on this first reading I invite you to simply let the words come like a gentle rain without attaching to any in particular.
The hearts of falls say there is no power in love.
They live in illusion.
They torture themselves and others.
They walk alone in utter darkness calling it light.
Love looks into the heart of every person.
To see if any act with wisdom,
If any seek to walk with love.
Many there are who have gone astray,
Who are ruled by greed and power.
Is there one who is wise and kind?
Have they no knowledge,
All the ignorant,
Who devour people and nations as if they were bread.
And never call upon love.
One day terror will reign in their hearts.
For love's friend is truth and in truth will those who seek love's way be set free.
Oh that the hearts of all love's children might call upon their angels.
Oh that all people,
All nations might know that harmony and beauty reside in diversity.
That we are all one in love consciousness.
Oh that we may rejoice in life in the abundance of love's gifts created and given to all.
In this second reading I invite you to notice any words or phrases that stand out to you,
That resonate with you.
The hearts of fools say there is no power in love.
They live in illusion.
They torture themselves and others.
They walk alone in utter darkness calling it light.
Love looks into the heart of every person to see if any act with wisdom,
If any seek to walk with love.
Many there are who have gone astray,
Who are ruled by greed and power.
Is there one who is wise and kind?
Have they no knowledge or the ignorant who devour people and nations as if they were bread.
And never call upon love.
One day terror will reign in their hearts.
For love's friend is truth.
And in truth will those who seek love's way be set free.
Oh that the hearts of all love's children might call upon their angels.
Oh that all people,
All nations might know that harmony and beauty reside in diversity.
That we are all one in love consciousness.
Oh that we may rejoice in life in the abundance of love's gifts created and given to all.
This third and final reading is an opportunity to connect with those words or phrases that stood out to you in a deeper way.
To welcome what they're offering,
What they're inviting,
What they're stirring within.
To be with them intentionally and receive the gift that they have to bring you.
The hearts of fools say there is no power in love.
They live in illusion.
They torture themselves and others.
They walk alone in utter darkness calling it light.
Love looks into the heart of every person to see if any act with wisdom.
If any seek to walk with love.
Many there are who have gone astray,
Who are ruled by greed and power.
Is there one who is wise and kind?
Have they no knowledge or the ignorant who devour people and nations as if they were bred and never call upon love?
One day terror will reign in their hearts.
For love's friend is truth and in truth will those who seek love's way be set free.
Oh that the hearts of all love's children might call upon their angels.
Oh that all people,
All nations might know that harmony and beauty reside in diversity.
That we are all one in love consciousness.
Oh that we may rejoice in life in the abundance of love's gifts created and given to all.
I encourage you to linger a while if you have time.
To re-listen to this psalm if you feel you want to hear the words again.
And to sit with the offering that the words or phrases are bringing you.
To let them minister what you need.
To invite and stir.
I trust that today you will know blessing,
Grace,
Love and great goodness.
Amen.
