Saturday, January 28, 2023
Group Lectio, Monday, January 30, 8:00am
Our sacred text for the morning is taken from the Gospel for February 2, "The Presentation of the Lord"
Lectio Divina Procedure:
1st reading: Read: Listen for the overall sense of the passage. Share a word or phrase that seems to “light up” or makes the passage come alive for you.
2nd reading: Reflect-. What most captures your attention as you listen? Share a message or question from God you are hearing.
3rd reading: Respond- What are you moved to say to God in response to what you are hearing? Share a prayer of intention, thanksgiving, or concern that rises within you.
Silence: Rest in God- Make room to listen to God speaking in your heart beyond words.
Luke 2: 25-35
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Lord's Prayer (recited together)
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, now and forever. Amen.
Closing Prayer
- God of steadfast love,
you sent your Son to be the light of the world,
saving people everywhere from sin and death.
As Simeon saw in Jesus the dawn of redemption,
complete your purpose once made known in him.
Make us the vessels of his light,
that all the world may glory in the splendor of your peace. Amen.
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Lectionary Readings for January 29, 2023, The fourth Sunday of Epiphany
Shared Lectio Divina , Monday, January 23, 2023, 8:00am on Zoom
Our sacred text for the morning is taken from the Gospel for next Sunday, The Fourth Sunday of The Epiphany of Our Lord.
Lectio Divina Procedure
1st reading: Read: Listen for the overall sense of the passage. Share a word or phrase that seems to “light up” or makes the passage come alive for you.
2nd reading: Reflect-. What most captures your attention as you listen? Share a message or question from God you are hearing.
3rd reading: Respond- What are you moved to say to God in response to what you are hearing? Share a prayer of intention, thanksgiving, or concern that rises within you.
Silence: Rest in God- Make room to listen to God speaking in your heart beyond words.
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Lord's Prayer (recited together)
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, now and forever. Amen.
Closing Prayer
God our deliverer,
you walk with the meek and the poor,
the compassionate and those who mourn,
and you call us to walk humbly with you.
When we are foolish, be our wisdom;
when we are weak, be our strength;
that, as we learn to do justice
and to love mercy,
your rule may come as blessing. Amen
you walk with the meek and the poor,
the compassionate and those who mourn,
and you call us to walk humbly with you.
When we are foolish, be our wisdom;
when we are weak, be our strength;
that, as we learn to do justice
and to love mercy,
your rule may come as blessing. Amen
Friday, January 13, 2023
Lectionary Readings for January 22, The Third Sunday of Epiphany
from Revised Common Lectionary, Vanderbilt Divinity School Library
Shared Lectio Divina, Monday, January 16, 8am
Our sacred text for the morning is taken from the Gospel for next Sunday, The Third Sunday of The Epiphany of Our Lord.
Lectio Divina Procedure
1st reading: Read: Listen for the overall sense of the passage. Share a word or phrase that seems to “light up” or makes the passage come alive for you.
2nd reading: Reflect-. What most captures your attention as you listen? Share a message or question from God you are hearing.
3rd reading: Respond- What are you moved to say to God in response to what you are hearing? Share a prayer of intention, thanksgiving, or concern that rises within you.
Silence: Rest in God- Make room to listen to God speaking in your heart beyond words.
Matthew 4: 12-23
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
Lord's Prayer (recited together)
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, now and forever. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Perfect Light of revelation,
as you shone in the life of Jesus,
whose epiphany we celebrate,
so shine in us and through us,
that we may become beacons of truth and compassion,
enlightening all creation with deeds of justice and mercy. Amen.
as you shone in the life of Jesus,
whose epiphany we celebrate,
so shine in us and through us,
that we may become beacons of truth and compassion,
enlightening all creation with deeds of justice and mercy. Amen.
Monday, January 9, 2023
The First Lectio
In my prayer on the "Lectio 365" app this morning, the leader suggested that Jesus led the first Christian "bible study" with the two heartbroken disciples on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus as told in the Gospel of Luke. I thought of how Jesus' presence during our sacred listening time is a continuation of this first "Lectio Divina," so often with a similar reaction in our feelings, thought, and spirit. I was also reminded of a song that my friend John Penoyar wrote about that original experience. When I began leading our online Lectio in the fall of 2020, I often used John's song, with John's permission. written from the perspective of the awed disciples
"Were not our hearts burning as he spoke?
Were not his words, words we longed to hear?
Were not our eyes opened in the breaking of the bread?
Were not our hearts burning as he spoke?"
Saturday, January 7, 2023
Shared Lectio Divina for Monday Morning, January 9, 2023
Our Lectio Divina Scripture for the morning is taken from the Gospel for next Sunday, The Second Sunday of The Epiphany of Our Lord
Lectio Divina Procedure
1st reading: Read: Listen for the overall sense of the passage. Share a word or phrase that seems to “light up” or makes the passage come alive for you.
2nd reading: Reflect-. What most captures your attention as you listen? Share a message or question from God you are hearing.
3rd reading: Respond- What are you moved to say to God in response to what you are hearing? Share a prayer of intention, thanksgiving, or concern that rises within you.
Silence: Rest in God- Make room to listen to God speaking in your heart beyond words.
John 1:32-39
32 And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."
35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.
Lord's Prayer (recited together)
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, now and forever. Amen.
- Closing Prayer
- Steadfast God,
you have enriched and enlightened us
by the revelation of your eternal Christ.
Comfort us in our mortality
and strengthen us
to walk the path of your desire,
so that by word and deed we may manifest
the gracious news of your faithfulness and love. Amen.
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