Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 53.
Recording outside,
So do welcome the sounds of nature of life going by as part of this meditation.
As we begin I invite you to take a pause,
A deeper breath in this part of your day.
Allowing yourself to be here in this moment.
Giving this space to receive these words and the gift that they contain.
As a way to give you some time to settle and arrive,
I'm going to be quiet and let the sounds of the garden accompany you as you settle and come to stillness.
As you settle,
Let the sounds of the garden accompany you as you settle and come to stillness.
As you settle,
Let the sounds of the garden accompany you as you settle and come to stillness.
As you settle,
Let the sounds of the garden accompany you as you settle and come to stillness.
I'm going to read the Psalm three times.
On this first reading I invite you to simply welcome the words without attaching to any in particular.
Those lacking in understanding may say there is no divine presence.
They have not yet opened their hearts to the divine guest,
To the beloved who dwells within.
The Holy Spirit seeks our hearts that have been broken,
Ever ready to heal them with strength and new life.
Even when a heart remains closed,
Seeking its own will,
The beloved waits with abiding courtesy to hear the inward call.
Many there are who know not love,
Labouring only for money and power,
Becoming greedy and dissatisfied,
Oppressing the poor and the weak.
There they are,
Fears beset them,
Fear that others will steal their wealth,
That their riches will be scattered and lost.
They live in prisons of their own making.
Oh,
That deliverance would come to them,
For when they seek the treasure within,
They will be blessed and know the joy,
Friendship and love of the beloved in all hearts.
As I read this Psalm a second time,
I invite you to notice the words and phrases that stand out to you.
It may be just one word,
It may be just one sentence.
Allow it to capture your attention.
Those lacking in understanding may say there is no divine presence.
They have not yet opened their hearts to the divine guest,
To the beloved who dwells within.
The Holy Spirit seeks our hearts that have been broken,
Ever ready to heal them with strength and new life.
Even when a heart remains closed,
Seeking its own will,
The beloved waits with abiding courtesy to hear the inward call.
Many there are who know not love,
Labouring only for money and power,
Becoming greedy and dissatisfied,
Oppressing the poor and the weak.
There they are,
Fear besets them,
Fear that others will steal their wealth and their riches will be scattered and lost.
They live in prisons of their own making.
Oh,
That deliverance would come to them,
For when they seek the treasure within,
They will be blessed and know the joy,
Friendship and love of the beloved in all hearts.
On this third and final reading,
Welcome those words and phrases.
Let them bring their gift.
Notice how they're moving you.
Notice maybe what they're inviting or offering and how you want to respond to them.
Do they bring you what you need in this moment?
Do they invite you to surrender or to make a change?
As you continue to be open,
Welcome them to minister deeply within.
Those lacking in understanding may say there is no divine presence.
They have not yet opened their hearts to the divine guest,
To the beloved who dwells within.
The Holy Spirit seeks our hearts that have been broken,
Ever ready to heal them with strength and new life.
Even when a heart remains closed,
Seeking its own will,
The beloved waits with abiding courtesy to hear the inward call.
Many there are who know not love,
Labouring only for money and power,
Becoming greedy and dissatisfied,
Oppressing the poor and the weak.
There they are.
Fear besets them,
Fear that others will steal their wealth,
That their riches will be scattered and lost.
They live in prisons of their own making.
Oh,
That deliverance would come to them,
For when they seek the treasure within,
They will be blessed and know the joy,
Friendship and love of the beloved in all hearts.
May blessing and grace go with you.
Until next time,
Amen.
