There is so much to be learned from today’s scripture. You might have heard that scripture can be examined through different lenses or points of view. You can examine scripture as the story that is actually happening...when Jesus actually spoke the words if in the gospels, or the story of Abraham when it happened...there is the lenses of how the people who first heard that letter or gospel heard it as shaped by their culture and place in history...whether the temple was up or down is a big one...how much they are being persecuted, there is also what the writer was trying to teach or communicate or encourage or correct. Another lens to use to examine scripture is through our own personal experience, history, beliefs and traditions. In other words interpretting the meaning of scripture for your life today. This is where we are focusing – applying scripture to our lives right now. Just as Jesus’ invitation “Come to Me” asks us to be less full of ourselves so we may be filled by God; lectio divina is a practice where we make ourselves open and available to God. God may use His word to invite us into deeper relationship with Him or to touch us with His healing grace.
Lord, You know the troubles and thoughts on my mind. Help me to clear my mind of everything but You. Grant me in these moments awareness of your loving presence and enlighten me with Your word for me today.
Use the following passage for your lectio divina reading today. As you begin take time to get comfortable and quiet your mind.
1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Luke 7:1-10
Silence – take a moment to quiet yourself and ask the Lord to speak to you.
Read – listen for the word spoken to you. Pay attention to the word or phrase that strikes you. Allow a moment or two of silence as you repeat this word or phrase to yourself
Reflect – read again. Where am I in this scene? What is addressed specifically to me? Allow several moments to explore your thoughts, perceptions, and impressions
Respond – read again. What is my response to God based on what I’ve read and encountered?
Rest – read again. Rest quietly in God’s embrace like a weaned child.
Resolve – carry this word with you to live in the context of your daily life.
· Take time to journal your thoughts. What in this reading meant the most to you?
· The centurion knew he did not need to be in Jesus’ physical presence to receive His blessing. What in your life need’s Jesus’ healing?
· Do you believe he can heal your health, circumstances, relationships? Why? Why not? Can He completely heal you?
0 comments:
Post a Comment