"Lectio Divina"

Not all things Catholic are bad!  This practice of Lectio Divina, which was described on the Busted Halo website but which has roots in the 6th century order of St. Benedict, is something that we evangelical Christians try to incorporate into our "devotions" but we just don't call it by the same name.
Four parts: 

1. Lectio = reading with a listening heart
2. Meditatio = just what it implies: meditation
3. Oratio = prayer of the heart
4. Contemplatio = yes, contemplation, including letting go of thinking but just allowing the Spirit to speak

I'm going to get today's Bible reading (New Testament)....Luke 6:12-38.  I'm going to read it in two versions: the NIV and the New Living.  (Starting at 9:49 a.m.)  (By the way, the Message was the default version on Biblegateway.com, and I read this passage in that version as well.  Very cool!)

Lectio: My "listening heart" heard something in verses 37-38 of the Message version. 

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier."

Meditatio: Everyone needs a break.  Everyone is a sinner, and many of them many times are willful sinners.  Those two statements don't contradict; they are together a dialectical truth.  Ooohhhh.  Heavy!  And of course, who does that bring to my mind but my director at work.  Challenge to my impulsive, reflexive reactions to her.  Of course, if I applied this to her--that is, if these words were spoken to her picking on people, jumping on their failures, and criticizing their faults (which she does)--the consequence is in fact what she is suffering.  But this is not being spoken to her; it is being spoken to me.

Oratio: Prayer of my heart.  Dear Lord, soften my heart.  I think this passage could also apply to my reaction to the "associate pastor." Yes, I hesitated to write those words and to put them in quotes because I don't feel that he qualifies for the title of pastor.  How can I "be easy" on him?  He makes me crazy.  :)  Not really, but I have a hard time recognizing the things that he is doing that are clearly violating his role and his responsibility and not being affected and maybe upset by them.  Jesus, You did this while You were on earth.  Would You please coach me?  I'm trying, but if my trying would effect any change, then I wouldn't need the Holy Spirit to a) assist me and b) do the work that I'm unable to do in the first place.

Contemplatio: By virtue of the description of this practice, I won't write any words. 

Finally, there is “contemplatio”, a state of letting go of thought, imagination, and feeling in order for God to enter every corner of our being.

It's 10:14 a.m., and I will just sit and close my eyes and not even try to capture any thought that comes across my mind.  Opening my eyes at 10:18 a.m.~with tears of appreciation that You have done this very dialectical thing for me.  You know my faults more accurately than anyone does, and especially than I do, and You love me and pursued me passionately.  THANK YOU!

Well, Lord, I hate to go.  There are deadlines in this world that I need to respect.

Bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory (for Your sake).  Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, that I may neither cause nor experience pain.  ~1 Chronicles 4:10 made into a prayer~

Out at 10:29 a.m.!