Welcome friends to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 84,
One of my favorites.
You are welcome here just as you find yourself and I invite you to take a few moments to settle,
To become comfortable,
To let your shoulders drop and your body release,
To let your eyes soften in the sockets,
To let your face soften.
Notice places of tension and let go,
Release.
Let go of all that can be let go of.
Notice what remains that needs tending to and hold it out to the beloved to be seen and acknowledged.
Take some deeper breaths and gently gather into this space and this moment to receive the goodness of these words.
I'm going to read the whole psalm twice through.
Simply let the words come and arrive on this first reading.
Welcome them,
Notice them,
Hear them with your body and your heart as well as with your ears.
How glorious is your dwelling place O blessed architect of the universe.
My soul longs,
Yes aches,
For the abode of the beloved.
All that is within me sings for joy to the living heart of love.
Even as the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nesting place,
Where its young are raised within your majestic creation.
You invite us to dwell within your heart.
Blessed are they whose hearts are filled with love,
Who sing praises to you with grateful hearts.
Blessed are they who put their strength in you,
Who choose to share the joy and sorrows of the world.
They do not give way to fear or doubt.
They are quickened by divine light and power.
They dwell within the peace of the Most High.
They go from strength to strength and live with integrity.
O eternal lover,
Hear my prayer.
Give ear O divine comforter.
Forgive what is unholy within me.
Free me from my illusions.
For a day with the heart of love is more to be desired than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a servant in your dwelling place than live in riches among those who know not love.
For the beloved is as radiant as the sun,
As strong as a steel shield and invites each one to come to partake of the banquet.
Who will accept the goodness of love?
Who will seek for spiritual treasure?
O loving creator of the universe,
Blessed are all who put their trust in you.
They bless the world.
On this second reading notice the words or phrases that are capturing your attention.
Welcome them to land and find a resting place within so that you can receive and respond to the fullness of their gift.
How glorious is your dwelling place O blessed architect of the universe.
My soul longs,
Yes aches for the abode of the beloved.
All that is within me sings for joy to the living heart of love.
Even as the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nesting place,
Where its young are raised within your majestic creation,
You invite us to dwell within your heart.
Blessed are they whose hearts are filled with love,
Who sing praises to you with grateful hearts.
Blessed are they who put their strength in you,
Who choose to share the joy and sorrows of the world.
They do not give way to fear or doubt.
They are quickened by divine light and power.
They dwell within the peace of the Most High.
They go from strength to strength and live with integrity.
They go from strength to strength and live with integrity.
O eternal lover,
Hear my prayer.
Give ear O divine comforter.
Forgive what is unholy within me.
Forgive what is unholy within me.
Free me from my illusions.
For a day with the heart of love is more to be desired than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a servant in your dwelling place than live in riches among those who know not love.
For the beloved is as radiant as the sun,
As strong as a steel shield,
And invites each one to come to partake of the banquet.
Who will accept the goodness of love?
Who will seek for spiritual treasure?
O loving creator of the universe,
Blessed are all who put their trust in you.
They bless the world.
May you be so blessed by these words.
May they bring you all that you need.
Return to them.
Give them a dwelling place within you so that you can receive the full goodness of their offering.
Amen.
