Lectio Divina: Love

Season 1 Episode 1

Using the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (or sacred reading), listen for love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

If you would like to explore this passage with companioning yoga postures, breath prayer, or an essential oil, find this meditation on pages 88-89 of Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit by Whitney R. Simpson.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:02

Hi, I'm Whitney R. Simpson, and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Take a few moments to settle in and place your phone on Do Not Disturb. No matter where you may find yourself, pause your busy day with a dose of peace and calm for your breath, body, and spirit, as we seek to explore the peace God offers us each and every day. Our practice today is Lexio Divina, also known as sacred or divine reading. It's an ancient practice that invites us to use scripture to pause and listen for how God may be speaking to us today. Our passage will come from 1 Corinthians chapter 13, verses 4 through 7. But allow yourself to simply stay present and listen. As you hear the passage the first time, just notice whether it's a familiar or brand new word for you today. Notice what word stands out. What words stand out? What image stands out? Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. In the silence, meditate on the word, words, or image that stand out to you today from this passage. What God is offering for you today through this word? What may God be inviting you to notice or see or pay attention to? Just for you today. In the silence, after you hear the passage read again, reflect. Ask God. What is here for me? What do you long for me to notice? Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. In the quiet, reflect on God's word. How would you respond to God? Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. In the silence, in the quiet of your heart, respond to what God might be inviting you to notice in this passage today. What are your longings? What do you long to say to God as you hear this word today? As you hear the passage one last time, you're invited to rest in God's Word. Rest in what you're hearing, rest in what you've noticed, rest in what rises up. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Rest for the next few moments of quiet in what you may have heard, seen, or noticed in God's Word today. May we be love, may we see love, may we receive love. In your most holy and precious name we pray. Amen and Namaste. Thank you for allowing me to companion you on your journey. If you're longing for more as a peace seeker, join our community online at exploringpeace.com. There you'll find additional soul care resources. You can also connect with me at Whitney Rsimpson.com. Until next time, breathe deeply.