Lectio Divina: Love Each Other

Lectio Divina is a slow and sacred reading (or listening) to Scripture. Slow down and listen to Jesus’ commandment today, “Love each other,” and notice what God invites you to hear. Wonder with God about love, ponder love, receive love. Listen and rest in God's love today.

Transcript

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Hi,

Remembering Love Through Loss

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I'm Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Today I'd invite you to find a quiet place in which you can ponder some words from Jesus. Words that invite us to live and love well. Words that I thought of this week after an icon passed away. An icon that so many of us know and love, named Dolly Parton. I believe Dolly knew these words and lived these words. And I think she'd invite us to remember them as we remember her. So today, as I was pondering which passage to sit with, this one just kept rising up to the surface. So will you listen with me and see what you hear today? Where

Settle In And Breathe

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you are, I'd invite you to let go of distractions. Silence your phone, close the door, soften your eyes, and find a posture in which you can be, in which you can breathe. On your next breath in, allow your nose to welcome the air, fill your chest and belly, and then let it all out. Do that again, breathing in through the nose, filling the entire body with breath and life. And then letting it go again. There's nothing to figure out here. This is simply an invitation to listen. To listen to God's word. And to notice.

Hear The Commandment Slowly

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So you also must love each other. Listen to it again slowly, and notice. These words spoken by Jesus. What stands out to you? Is there a single word? A phrase? An image that comes to mind? Simply notice as you listen, and then in the silence that follows, meditate on what stands out to you. I give you a new commandment. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other.

Let The Words Meet Your Life

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Now listen to these words again. And this time wonder about that word, phrase, or image. How does it touch you in your life today? Is there a relationship that comes to mind? A memory of a loved one? A memory of struggling to love someone. There's not a wrong answer. Let God's word touch your life today as you listen. I give you a new commandment. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. In the quiet, wonder. Wonder about your word, phrase, or image. Wonder with God about love.

Respond To Jesus Honestly

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This time, I invite you to respond to God in your mind's eye, in your imagination, maybe later in your journal. If you were to speak back to God, talk to Jesus, what might you say? It might be a question. It might be a reflection. It might be gratitude or resistance. If the words come, let them. If they don't, just be. Be with God as you respond to the word today. I give you a new commandment. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. Respond to God in the quiet.

Rest And Receive Love

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One final time in this meditation. Hear the words, and then rest. There's nothing to chase, no response to be had. Just rest. Rest in the love that this passage points you to. Receive it for yourself. Feel it. I give you a new commandment. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. Rest in God's love and breathe.

Return To The Day Gently

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And now a long breath out through your mouth. Repeat that. See if you can sigh out. Letting go. One more full breath in and a long sigh out. Notice the space around you. The room you're in. What lies ahead in your day. And remember this: whatever word or phrase found you today, you can take it with you beyond this time of listening, noticing. Let it sit in the back of your mind while you make dinner, drive somewhere, or talk to someone you care about. You might notice this passage or this feeling show up again when you least expect it. Love each other. And that, my friend, includes yourself. Be love, share love, shine love, because God loves you. And God loves all of us. All of us. Most

Prayer For Loving Others Well

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holy and loving God, thank you for your love, for sending Jesus to model love to us, for teaching us to love each other, and for showing us what love looks like. May we look to others in our lives who also show us what love looks like so we can reflect that love in your world. Thank you, God, for loving us and help us love each other. In your name we pray. Amen.

Community And Resources

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Thank you for listening. If I haven't already reminded you, which I don't think I have today, I would love it if you'd find us online at exploringpeace.com slash community. There are plenty of podcasts, of prayers and meditations like this one, helping you love yourself and love others. I'd be honored to meet you there. You can also find my books and more at Whitneyr Simpson dot com. So until next time, may God's peace be with you.