Genesis 12:1-4a | Psalm 121 | Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 | John 3:1-17 |
Every Monday, Jed Lindholm of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holden, Massachusetts and Alan Crowley of Good Shepherd in Jericho, Vermont, lead a small group experience of "Lectio Divina," a way of praying that moves from meditative reflection to resting in the presence of God. The prayerful focus is an invitation to listen to and respond to God through God's Word and one another. We believe that God loves us and feeds us through the scriptures, which Martin Luther names "the other manger."
Lectio Divina Procedure:
1st reading: Read: Listen for the overall sense of the passage. What most captures your attention as you listen? Share a word or phrase that seems to “light up” or makes the passage come alive for you.
2nd reading: Reflect- What feelings, sensations or longings are you experiencing? 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.
After the 3rd Sharing, Share the Silence: Rest in God- Hold a quiet space to listen to God speaking in your heart, beyond words.
John 3:1-17
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." 3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?"5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Closing Prayer
God of amazing compassion, lover of our wayward race, you bring to birth a pilgrim people, and call us to be a blessing for ourselves and all the world. We pray for grace to take your generous gift and step with courage on this holy path, confident in the radiant life that is your plan for us, made known and given in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.
Closing Prayer
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.
Closing Prayer
Our sacred text for the morning is taken from the Gospel for February 12, the Sixth Sunday of Epiphany
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.