Welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 97.
Getting into a comfortable position where you're relaxed and also attentive to receive these words.
Take a few deeper wider breaths.
Letting the inhale expand your belly.
Breathing down into your feet and up into your head.
Exhaling fully.
Let your body sink and become heavy.
Let the ground or the chair rise up to meet you,
To support and hold.
As you breathe deep and wide notice how you arrive into this moment.
Notice your body and body sensation.
Notice your emotions.
What are you feeling right now?
Be aware of what thoughts come with you into this moment.
Every part of you is welcome here just as you are.
The beloved is here to meet you with love and great goodness.
I'm going to read this psalm three times.
On this first reading let the words simply come as a gentle rain,
Without attaching to any in particular.
Psalm 97.
The bestower of life rains with mercy.
Let the earth rejoice.
Let the heavens be glad.
Justice preserves creation,
Allowing it to blossom and thrive.
Hidden with creation you are the heart of everything.
Fire goes before you,
Burning away the chaff and the tears.
Your light enlightens the world.
There is none to compare with you,
Oh great transformer.
All of creation is clothed with your majesty,
Mirroring your love throughout the cosmos.
The heavens proclaim your righteousness and the peoples behold your glory.
Those who walk in darkness dwell in a house of fear,
Zealously following their desire for power.
They live in the shadows of reality.
Heaven delights and rejoices when a hardened heart breaks open and recognizes love's ever patient presence abiding within.
For you,
Oh beloved,
Encompass and bless all the earth.
You forgive our wrongdoing and welcome us home.
You,
Oh beloved,
Are known by those who are true to the promise.
You are the light of the saints.
You hide yourself in every soul.
Light dawns for the just and joy for the upright of heart.
Rejoice in the most high,
Oh people of the light,
And give thanks to the radiant one,
The bestower of life.
On this second reading,
Be aware of any words or phrases that capture your attention.
The bestower of life reigns with mercy.
Let the earth rejoice.
Let the heavens be glad.
Justice preserves creation,
Allowing it to blossom and thrive.
Hidden within creation,
You are the heart of everything.
Fire goes before you,
Burning away the chaff and the tears.
Your light enlightens the world.
There is none to compare with you,
Oh great transformer.
All of creation is clothed with your majesty,
Mirroring your love throughout the cosmos.
The heavens proclaim your righteousness,
And the peoples behold your glory.
Those who walk in darkness dwell in a house of fear,
Zealously following their desire for power.
They live in the shadows of reality.
Heaven delights and rejoices when a hardened heart breaks open and recognizes love's ever-patient presence abiding within.
For you,
Oh beloved,
Encompass and bless all the earth.
You forgive our wrongdoing and welcome us home.
You,
Oh beloved,
Are known by those who are true to the promise.
You are the light of the saints.
You hide yourself in every soul.
Light dawns for the just,
And joy for the upright of heart.
Rejoice in the most high,
Oh people of the light,
And give thanks to the radiant one,
The bestower of life.
This third and final reading gives you the opportunity to welcome the words and phrases that captured your attention,
To bring a gift to the deeper places within.
Imagine them unfolding and unfurling within you.
Notice how you want to respond,
What they offer you,
How they make you feel,
And what thoughts they bring to you.
The bestower of life reigns with mercy.
Let the earth rejoice.
Let the heavens be glad.
Justice preserves creation,
Allowing it to blossom and thrive.
Hidden within creation,
You are the heart of everything.
Fire goes before you,
Burning away the chaff and the tears.
Your light enlightens the world.
There is none to compare with you,
Oh great transformer.
All of creation is clothed with your majesty,
Mirroring your love throughout the cosmos.
The heavens proclaim your righteousness,
And the peoples behold your glory.
Those who walk in darkness dwell in a house of fear,
Zealously following their desire for power.
They live in the shadows of reality.
Heaven delights and rejoices when a hardened heart breaks open and recognizes love's ever-patient presence abiding within.
For you,
Oh beloved,
Encompass and bless all the earth.
You forgive our wrongdoing and welcome us home.
You,
Oh beloved,
Are known by those who are true to the promise.
You are the light of the saints.
You hide yourself in every soul.
Light dawns for the just,
And joy for the upright of heart.
Rejoice in the most high,
Oh people of the light,
And give thanks to the radiant one,
The bestower of life.
May these words continue to be a blessing.
May they offer you hope and encouragement.
