Lectio Divina Reading

February 25, 2007

First Sunday in Lent

Ant  Let my prayer rise as incense before you.

Psalm 141

I call to You, O Blessed One, suffuse me with your Love!
Give ear to my prayer when I call to You!
May my supplication be heard as I surrender before You,
as I abandon myself into your Heart!

Let my prayer rise as incense before you.

Set a Guard over my mouth, O Holy One.
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
May I speak only what is of good intent,
and not busy myself with rumor and gossip,
incline my heart to what is beneficial and holy.

Let my prayer rise as incense before you.

Lead me to words of wisdom and truth,
seeds to be planted in my heart-soil;
Guide me to times of solitude and silence
that nurture new growth,
so the Word may ripen into abundant fruit.

Let my prayer rise as incense before you.

Cultivate in me a heart great with compassion and mercy,
that radiates out to all your creation.

Let my prayer rise as incense before you.

My inner being yearns for You, O Beloved,
in you do I find refuge and strength!
May your Light so shine in me
that others are attracted to your peace and harmony.
In the company of your friends,
may I, too, walk the pilgrim road
to wholeness and holiness,
O Heart of all hearts!

Let my prayer rise as incense before you.

Introductory Meditation

Transformation through immersion and consciousness depends on our capacity to be penetrated by the Mystery of Christ. Our being, our substance, must be porous in order for the Mystery to enter, to penetrate. That is the crux of the matter. It is not enough simply to be immersed in life. We must let ourselves be plowed so that the furrows of our person become deeper and deeper, so that our earth becomes softer and softer. This is something our being craves, but this plowing is Kenosis (emptying, the death which must precede new life, rebirth) and Kenosis is not easy. In the measure that our being becomes porous, open, grace can penetrate us. Depth is possible. Transformation is possible. Thus an ever deepening penetration by the Mystery can fill us with spiritual being. Jean Marie Howe, “Cistercian Monastic Life/Vows: A Vision,” p.367, (7)

Lectio Divina – Opening Prayer

I invite you to pray the following prayer that invokes the Holy Spirit of the LORD:

Come, Holy Spirit, come, Pour the living water of Your presence
on the thirsty ground of Our hearts.
Make rivers of living water flow
on the barren heights of our souls,
and springs will well up within all its valleys.
We would receive power, Lord Jesus Christ, to be your witnesses
at home and throughout the earth.
Be Thou in us the fountain of living water,
springing up unto everlasting life. AMEN

Closing Prayer -- Canticle of Mary

My Soul proclaims your greatness, O my God,
and my spirit has rejoiced in you, my Saviour,

For your regard has blessed me,
poor and a serving woman.

From this day all generations
will call me blessed,
For you who are mighty, have made me great.
Most Holy be your Name.

Your mercy is on those who fear you
throughout all generations.

You have shown strength with your arm,
You have scattered the proud in their hearts’ fantasy.

You have put down the mighty from their seat,
and have lifted up the powerless.
You have filled the hungry with good things,
and have sent the rich away empty.

You, remembering your mercy,
have helped your people Israel,
As you promised Abraham and Sarah,
Mercy to their children, forever.

Glory to source of all Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit.

AMEN

Lectio Divina for CP Groups
Contemplative Outreach of Dallas