Lectio Divina Shared Prayer, Monday, November 27, 2023

 

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Lectio Divina Process:

    1st reading:  Read:  Listen for the overall sense of the passage.  Notice a word or phrase that most captures your attention as you listen, as though the Holy Spirit were flashing a light from the text to your heart, asking you to notice it. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, allow your eyes to be opened and your heart to be melted  as God speaks to you. If you choose, simply share the word or phrase with the group.

    2nd reading: Reflect- Listen for the feelings, sensations and connections that God's Word stirs in you. If you want, share a connection you sense between the passage and this particular moment in your life.

    3rd reading:  Respond-  Listen to your own heart for  something that you want to express to God in response to the meanings and observations you are hearing. If you desire, share a reverent gratitude, petition or lament that you would like God and your siblings gathered with you to hear.

    After the 3rd Sharing, Share the Silence: Rest in God-  Hold a quiet space to listen to God speaking in your heart,  beyond words.

"Majestas," St. Cyprian Church, London, UK The image of Christ on the cherubim throne painted on a gilded Tester that surmounts the High Altar in St Cyprian's. The Greek words around the figure of the Lord say "Jesus Christ, the Pantocrator (All Powerful), Alpha & Omega (Beginning and the End)." The book Jesus is holding says: "I am the Light of the World" and on the front of the tester the words in Latin say "My delight is to be with the Son of Man." The Lord seated in judgement is, taken from the book of Daniel, called the Son of Man. As such, the Latin inscription is points towards this and also to our longing for union with God in eternal life. "

Mark 13:24-31

24 "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

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

•      God of justice and peace, from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness, that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before your marvelous deeds.
       Raise our heads in expectation, that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Lectio Divina Shared Prayer, November 20 , 2023

 

 

Join Zoom Meeting (Jed hosting for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holden, Massachusetts)

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 Meeting ID: 854 5947 2625.   Passcode: 684195

Lectio Divina Process:

    1st reading:  Read:  Listen for the overall sense of the passage.  Notice a word or phrase that most captures your attention as you listen, as though the Holy Spirit were flashing a light from the text to your heart, asking you to notice it. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, allow your eyes to be opened and your heart to be melted  as God speaks to you. If you choose, simply share the word or phrase with the group.

    2nd reading: Reflect- Listen for the feelings, sensations and connections that God's Word stirs in you. If you want, share a connection you sense between the passage and this particular moment in your life.

    3rd reading:  Respond-  Listen to your own heart for  something that you want to express to God in response to the meanings and observations you are hearing. If you desire, share a reverent gratitude, petition or lament that you would like God and your siblings gathered with you to hear.

    After the 3rd Sharing, Share the Silence: Rest in God-  Hold a quiet space to listen to God speaking in your heart,  beyond words.

Mauve, Anton, "Landscape with Shepherd and Sheep" (1880)

Ezekiel 34:11-16
11 For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

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

You raised up your Son, O God, and seated him at your right hand as the shepherd and king who seeks what is lost, binds up what is wounded, and strengthens what is weak.
Empowered by the Spirit, grant that we may share with others that which we have received from your hand,
to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lectio Divina Prayerful Sharing, November 13, 2023

 

Join Zoom Meeting (Jed hosting for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holden, Massachusetts)

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 Meeting ID: 854 5947 2625.   Passcode: 684195

Lectio Divina Process:

    1st reading:  Read:  Listen for the overall sense of the passage.  Notice a word or phrase that most captures your attention as you listen, as though the Holy Spirit were flashing a light from the text to your heart, asking you to notice it. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, allow your eyes to be opened and your heart to be melted  as God speaks to you. If you choose, simply share the word or phrase with the group.

    2nd reading: Reflect- Listen for the feelings, sensations and connections that God's Word stirs in you. If you want, share a connection you sense between the passage and this particular moment in your life.

    3rd reading:  Respond-  Listen to your own heart for  something that you want to express to God in response to the meanings and observations you are hearing. If you desire, share a reverent gratitude, petition or lament that you would like God and your siblings gathered with you to hear.

    After the 3rd Sharing, Share the Silence: Rest in God-  Hold a quiet space to listen to God speaking in your heart,  beyond words.

Hilma af Klint, "Altarpiece No. 1" (1915)

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  3 When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4 But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

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

You, O God, are our dwelling-place
from generation to generation,
our shield from anguish and distress.
You arm us as children of light
with the hope of salvation,
and you protect us by your love.
Give us grace to build up
and encourage one another,
as we seek wisdom and abundant life
in the strength of your Word
and the assurance of your Spirit. Amen

Lectio Divina Shared Prayer, Monday, November 6, 2023

 

Join Zoom Meeting (Jed hosting for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holden, Massachusetts)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85459472625?pwd=RWY5b1hJRXRrZi9OMmVMeXhPZU5XQT09

 Meeting ID: 854 5947 2625.   Passcode: 684195

Lectio Divina Process:

    1st reading:  Read:  Listen for the overall sense of the passage.  Notice a word or phrase that most captures your attention as you listen, as though the Holy Spirit were flashing a light from the text to your heart, asking you to notice it. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, allow your eyes to be opened and your heart to be melted  as God speaks to you. If you choose, simply share the word or phrase with the group.

    2nd reading: Reflect- Listen for the feelings, sensations and connections that God's Word stirs in you. If you want, share a connection you sense between the passage and this particular moment in your life.

    3rd reading:  Respond-  Listen to your own heart for  something that you want to express to God in response to the meanings and observations you are hearing. If you desire, share a reverent gratitude, petition or lament that you would like God and your siblings gathered with you to hear.

    After the 3rd Sharing, Share the Silence: Rest in God-  Hold a quiet space to listen to God speaking in your heart,  beyond words.

Bridesmaids Sleeping, St. Giles Church, Oxford, England

Matthew 25:1-13
1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.6 But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.
11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

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

• You let us choose, O God,
  between you and the false gods of this world.
  In the midst of the night of sin and death,
  wake us from our slumber
  and call us forth to greet Christ,
  so that with eyes and hearts fixed on him,
  we may follow to eternal light. Amen.