Group Lectio, July 11, 2023, 8:00am

  Lectio Divina Process:

    1st reading:  Read:  Listen for the overall sense of the passage.  Choose one word or phrase that captures your attention as you listen, as if the Holy Spirit were flashing a light from your heart to the text , asking  you to notice it. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, what opens your eyes or warms your heart as God is speaking to you?

    2nd reading: Reflect- What feelings, sensations or memories are you experiencing? Describe something God be telling you as you listen.

    3rd reading:  Respond-  Are you moved to say something to God in response to the meanings and observations you are hearing? Is there a request, a question, or realization that you would like God to hear from 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.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.
2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with ears listen!"

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, forever and ever. Amen.

Closing Prayer

• Ancient Gardener,
  your holy word is planted in our hearts
  as good seed in fertile soil.
  So nurture us
  that we may bear fruit abundantly. Amen.