Category: lectio divina

2015.02.18: a lenten prayer

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6:2

gracious Father,
here i am on my knees
at the foot of the altar
as i begin this journey
of forty days
look not upon my past sins
or my future failings
but on the goodness
of your only begotten Son,
Jesus, who is my Savior

thank you, Father
for the grace
to know that my cross
is to do your will
in your boundless mercy
please grant me
the wisdom
to know your will
the humility
to accept your will
and the courage
to do your will

Jesus, stay with me
for i know that it is only
with you,
in you,
and through you
can i hope to bear this cross

2015.02.17: unleavened bread

Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? Mk 8:16-17

Let me eat, Lord
the daily bread
that you offer

Let my tongue, Lord
learn to love the taste
of unleavened bread

Keep me safe, Lord
from the leaven
of the world

Let my ears, Lord
hear your voice above
the noise of the world

Let my eyes, Lord
see your daily miracles
no matter how little

Let my heart, Lord
understand the way to salvation
comes through unleavened bread

2015.02.16: sign of the Lord

He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” – MK 8:12

A god of my making
would give me signs
that pleases me
to keep me following

you are not a idol of my making
you are the Lord Creator
i am a creature of your making
i do not need signs to know my maker

i am grateful for the grace
to know the Lord Incarnate
who has given me
eyes to see
ears to hear
and heart to know
that he is always with me

2015.02.15: a love like no other

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” – Mk 1:40-42

ignorance taught me
that to avoid the fires of hell
i must:
obey the commandments
follow the precepts and
believe the doctrines

pride told me
that i can do it
on my own

just like the leper
who was condemned
to hell on earth
for sins he may or may not
have committed
i lost all hope

from the depths of despair
with much wailing
and gnashing of teeth
i cried out for help

even though i had
no right to hope
you came to me
any way

you touched me
and made me clean
you flooded me
with forgiveness
and overflowing love

no longer am i condemned
to isolation
but in deserted places
i will you stay with you

for who will believe
the words of a sinner
but castaways and other sinners
who are ready to be saved
by a love like no other

2015.02.13: Ephphatha!

he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”)
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly. – Mk 7:34-35

amazing Grace
how great it was
the first time i heard

“Ephphatha,” he said
the man in vestments
with graying red hair

how sweet the sound
that saved my soul
silence

and now i hear
the words of the Lord
spoken from within

how my soul sings
with praise for the Lord
who opened my heart

Ephphatha, i say
let your heart be opened
the Lord is speaking to you