Lectio Divina: Live in Love

How are you living in love? Are you embodying Christ's love in your daily life? Journey with Whitney as we embrace the transformative power of God's word in a contemplative listening practice through Ephesians chapter 5, verses 1 and 2. Uncover the profound beauty of God's peace as we surrender ourselves with the breath into moments of silence, tuning in to the sacred words that reverberate within our hearts. Be prepared to explore the resonating words or phrases in your own unique way, whether it's through words, movement, or rest.

If you want to explore this with companion yoga postures and an essential oil, find this meditation on page 42 of Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Hi, this is Whitney. You're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. As we settle in, I hope you'll turn your phone on. Do Not Disturb. You'll find a seated or reclined posture that allows you to feel grounded and safe. So consider closing your eyes now, or gazing upon something in your space that brings you peace or draws you close to God. Now connect with your breath, practice inhaling fully and deeply in and out through your nose, gazing your breath, allowing whatever has happened in your day to be, and you get to be right here, exploring the gift of God's peace as we pray and breathe together.

Speaker 1: 1:19

Today's practice is a Lectio Divina, or Divine, or Sacred Reading in which we listened to a passage of scripture. Today's is from the New, revised Standard Version, and just notice what we hear and sense. So, in this first reading, just listen Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 1 and 2. Be imitators of God as beloved children and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. As you listen, again reflect, reflect on whatever word, phrase or imagery stands out to you. What draws your attention? What do you hear or sense as you listen to this passage? In the quiet that follows, I invite you to reflect on what stood out. Sit with it, breathe, ask God to help you Notice. You could even repeat your word or phrase silently to yourself, if that helps you be present.

Speaker 1: 3:48

Be imitators of God as beloved children and live in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Meditate on what you hear, see sense or notice from this passage today. Listen to God's word again and this time respond to God. What might you say in response to this passage? If Jesus were sitting with you right now, how would you converse about this? Respond to what you're hearing in the quiet. Be imitators of God as beloved children and live in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. And now respond to God, and with words. Respond with movement, respond with rest. Respond however you wish. You'll hear the passage again, and in the quiet and with words. Respond with rest. Be imitators of God as beloved children and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Listen one final time and then rest in whatever you may have heard or since today. How is God inviting you to live in love. What does that look like?

Speaker 1: 8:04

Listen to the passage and then rest in God's Word. Settle into it in your own life, be imitators of God as beloved children and live in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. How will you live in love today? Rest in these words and then I'll close us with a prayer.

Speaker 1: 9:55

Creator God, thank you for helping us live in love each day. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, the human one, that modeled love for us on this earth. Remind us to look to him as we ponder what it means to live in love today. Guide us, companion us, be with us as we each choose to live in love. In your name, we pray amen. Thanks for exploring the gift of God's peace with me. It's such an honor to have your trust and to companion you on this journey with God. If you'd like to connect beyond the podcast, you can find me at WhitneyRSimpsoncom. And did you know you can be part of the community that supports this prayer and meditation podcast. Find us at exploringpeacecom slash community. Until next time, may God's peace be with you.