Lectio Divina: Day 4
Lectio Divina: Day 4
1) Opening prayer
God our Father and protector, without You nothing is holy, nothing has value. Guide us to everlasting life by helping us to use wisely the blessings You have given to the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Reading - Matthew 13:31-35
Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. "The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'" He spoke to them another parable. "The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened." All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfil what had been said through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.
3) Reflection - What the Word suggests to me
A) Read the Word again.
B) Select a word or a brief phrase which moved you or impressed you. Repeat this word/phrase aloud and slowly 3 times. Between each repetition, allow a moment of silence for the Word to enter into our hearts.
C) Remain silent for 3 minutes, and let the Lord speak to you.
D) Now write down what the Lord has given you in this word. Start with, “To me this word has said …”
4) Personal questions
- Which point of these two parables did you like best or which struck you more? Why?
- What is the seed that without your awareness has grown in you and in your community?
- What other symbolisms can you find for the seed, the bush, the birds, the bush's relationship with other plants, and the meanings for “dwell”? What insights does this lead you too?
- What other symbolisms can you find for yeast and flour? Is there significance to using “3 measures of flour” in the parable? What insights does this lead you too?
5) Concluding Prayer
I will sing of Your strength, in the morning acclaim Your faithful love; You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge when I was in trouble. (Ps 59:16)
Thank you! 158 people prayed
1 comment
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Col 4:6