Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 43.
Today recording in a spring garden in England.
So welcome the sounds of nature,
Perhaps of a car going by or an aeroplane overhead as part of the experience.
I invite you to settle by finding a comfortable position.
You may want to close your eyes and turn your attention inward by taking some deeper wider breaths.
Follow the inhale and the exhale and allow the day so far to fall away,
Bringing your attention to this moment and to these words.
Know that you are welcome here just as you are and that in this moment there are no demands,
Nothing to be done except to be here.
I'm going to read the psalm three times and on this first reading as you continue to settle and arrive,
Let the words cascade through you without attaching to any in particular.
Bring justice to the people,
O beloved,
And strength on my behalf,
To stand firm against oppression.
From all that is greedy and unjust,
Deliver me,
For you are the one in whom I take refuge.
Yet have you abandoned me?
Why go I mourning because of the oppression of ignorance?
O send out your light and your truth,
Let them guide me,
Let them lead me to your holy altar,
To the inner home of integrity.
Then will I know you,
Heart of my heart,
My exceeding joy,
And I will praise you with song,
O my beloved,
My awakener.
Why are you cast down,
O my soul,
And why are you disquieted within me?
My hope is in the beloved,
My strength and my joy.
O my soul,
Open the door to love.
Yes,
Let us sing a song of diversity,
A song of oneness and unity.
For we are all one in love's heart,
Now and forevermore.
Let us ever reflect the peace we are.
On this second reading I invite you to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
Bring justice to the people,
O beloved,
And strength on my behalf,
To stand firm against oppression.
From all that is greedy and unjust deliver me,
For you are the one in whom I take refuge.
Yet have you abandoned me?
Why go I mourning because of the oppression of ignorance?
O send out your light and your truth,
Let them guide me,
Let them lead me to your holy altar,
To the inner home of integrity.
Then will I know you,
Heart of my heart,
My exceeding joy,
And I will praise you with song,
O my beloved,
My awakener.
Why are you cast down,
O my soul,
And why are you disquieted within me?
My hope is in the beloved,
My strength and my joy.
O my soul,
Open the door to love.
Yes,
Let us sing a song of diversity,
A song of oneness and unity,
For we are all one in love's heart,
Now and forevermore.
Let us ever reflect the peace we are.
On this third and final reading,
I invite you to welcome those words or phrases that captured your attention,
To bring their gift,
To bring you what you need at this time.
Notice how they make you feel,
What they stir within,
What they offer and what they invite.
Bring justice to the people,
O beloved,
And strength on my behalf to stand firm against oppression.
From all that is greedy and unjust,
Deliver me,
For you are the one in whom I take refuge.
Yet,
Have you abandoned me?
Why go I mourning because of the oppression of ignorance?
O send out your and your truth,
Let them guide me,
Let them lead me to your holy altar,
To the inner home of integrity.
Then will I know you,
Heart of my heart,
My exceeding joy,
And I will praise you with song.
O my beloved,
My awakener,
Why are you cast down,
O my soul,
And why are you disquieted within me?
My hope is in the beloved,
My strength and my joy.
O my soul,
Open the door to love.
Yes,
Let us sing a song of diversity,
A song of oneness and unity.
For we are all one in love's heart,
Now and forevermore.
Let us ever reflect the peace we are.
You may want to linger with these words or re-listen.
You may want to spend some time reflecting or journaling.
I pray that the gift they offer will be received and that you will be nourished and nurtured by them.
Go gently,
My friends,
Go kindly and full of love.
Amen.
