Lectio Divina: Open Your Eyes

Take a deep breath and pause to be guided through the ancient spiritual practice of Lectio Divina using Matthew 6:22-23, exploring how our spiritual perception affects our entire being.

For a deeper journey with this passage, see With God in Every Breath, day one, beginning on page 26. 

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Lectio Divina
• 0:55 Reading Matthew 6:22-23
• 1:42 Reflection and Response
• 5:39 Prayer and Invitation
• 8:45 Closing and Resources

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Hi, this is Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Today I'd like to invite you into the practice of Lectio Divina, sacred reading or listening. Begin to find a seated or reclined posture, any shape in which you can breathe fully. Be awake, alert and listen. Today's passage comes from Matthew 6, verses 22 and 23 in the Message Bible. Verses 22 and 23 in the Message Bible. This is from Day 1, open your Eyes. From my new book With God in Every Breath.

Speaker 1: 0:57

Listen to the passage. Jesus said your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have. Now listen again Before we begin. Take a full inhale, a full exhale. Ask God what words, word or images are you drawn to today? What does God want you to notice as you listen this time? Jesus said your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have. In the quiet hold, whatever imagery, word or phrase is rising up for you today. I'm going to take a few more minutes to get back to you.

Speaker 1: 3:32

Listen again and this time respond. Respond to God and what God might be inviting you to notice. God and what God might be inviting you to notice. Jesus said your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have. What's God's invitation for you today in this passage? For your breath, your body, your, your spirit and the quiet that follows. Respond to God. Tell God what you're hearing or what you're sensing. Thank you. Listen again to the passage and then I will invite you to rest in God's word, to rest in God's invitation. Jesus said your eyes are windows into your body. Jesus said In greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have In the next few moments that follow.

Speaker 1: 6:22

Rest in what you've heard, whether in this passage or in the quiet. Rest in what you've heard, whether in this passage or in the quiet. Receive any clarity, stillness, insight or imagery that comes to mind. No-transcript, thank you. I'm going to take a few more minutes to get back to you. Creator, god, help us open our eyes. May we live in wonder and belief as we open our eyes to you, to seeing you, to noticing you. Give us spiritual eyes, a greater perception, a greater understanding, a greater noticing of you. This day, in your holy name, we pray Amen For a guided meditation, reflection questions and a deeper journey. With this passage see With God in Every Breath, day one beginning at page 26. Thank you for exploring the gift of God's peace with me. If you'd like to connect beyond this time, you can find our community at exploringpeacecom slash community. You can find links to my books, including this one, at whitneyrsimpsoncom. Until next time, may God's peace be with you.