Lectio Divina

 

Inspire me to read your Scriptures

and to meditate upon them day and night.

I beg you to give me a real understanding of what I read,

so that I in turn may put its precepts into practice.

Yet, I know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless they are rooted in your graceful love. So I ask that the words of Scripture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into my heart (Origen).

 

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:28-34).

 

Silence

 

As you re-read the text, what is the word or concept that makes an impression on you?
The spirit is nudging me to meditate upon God’s goodness which transcends all my worries.

My refrain would be: The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything!

 

 

2. Meditatio (Rejoice and Reflect)

 

Pause

 

• Refrain: The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything!

 

As in the previous meditation, I drew a second picture of the fragmented human heart with interconnected blocks. I also note the element that creates unity among them, I pinpointed: God’s love and goodness.

 

This is what happens to those who fear the Lord. All the blocks in their heart are connected. To some extent, we still have the same human needs as those who do not believe in God, but the difference here is that God’s love and goodness control all our needs, passions, and ambitions. Everything is under control. As we can read in the Johannine literature God’s love bears everything (1 John 4:8).

 

• Refrain: The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything!

 

 

Pause

 

 

3. Oratio (Ask)

 

As I was prayerfully asking God to speak to me through the passage, I asked God to help me understand His concept of love and goodness as he understands it.

 

God will always act with love/goodness when He deals with my iniquities and disobedience. His goodness, the fruit of his grace for me urges me to continue to obey him, honor him, and sing his praises.

His love helps us to lay up treasure in Heaven and gives a sense of fulfillment in my heart.

The word of the just man echoes in my mind here: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).

 

-  His love:

Subdue my iniquity, pride, and self-centeredness.

Silence my mind and slow me down!

Make me smile a little more.

 

• Refrain: The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything!

 

Pause

 

Why does God continue to tolerate my wrongdoings?

What are the risks you have taken Lord? What do you get in return?

 

Pause

 

I thought about how he has protected me from imminent dangers in my childhood. He has known me from the beginning and he knows my end: He is God.  Being God, He is not negatively challenged by my present condition.  My sins do not affect the salvific love He has for me.  The baptismal freedom he gave me is not about strict observance of the Law, but it is about being good as He is Himself good.

Thank you, Lord, for appointing an advocate for me in heaven: a divine lawyer who can empathize with me in all of my weaknesses.

 

• Refrain: The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything!

 

Pause

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield and pray)

 

• Refrain: The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything!

 

I notice my breathing.  Breathe in and out.

 

Praying over the week that has started.  Lord, show me where you will be at work in my life.  Let me experience your love and goodness.  I want to listen to your words in every person I meet and any circumstances I may find myself in this week.

 

 

Silence

 

Remembering your promises Lord...

 

I utter a few  words from scriptures that bring calmness to my mind and heart, saying:

 

God takes care of everything in my life, even the very hairs of my head are all numbered (cf. Luke 12:7)  (pause)

He gives me relief from my distress (Psalm 4:1)  (pause)

He alone is my portion and my cup, he makes me secure (Psalm 16:5). (pause)

I am not worried because my Father in heaven knows all my needs before even I ask him (cf. Mat.6:8). (pause)

And so “in peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

 

Silence

 

• Refrain: The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything!

 

 

Pause

 

Making use of this calmness hymn, I implore:

 

Drop thy still dews of quietness,

till all our strivings cease;

take from our souls the strain and stress,

and let our ordered lives confess

the beauty of thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire

thy coolness and thy balm;

let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;

speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,

O still, small voice of calm!

(John Greenleaf Whittier)

 

• Refrain: The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything!

 

 

 

Exit meditation using Psalm 4.