Toward Sunday

We begin a new worship series this week on the parables of Jesus. This summer worship series is based on Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy Jill-Levine, a Jewish New Testament scholar who teaches at Vanderbilt.

We’ll be introducing Lectio Divina as our summer discipline for searching the scripture in our Kitchen Tables this week. My message this Sunday will weave together three parables: Parable of the Lost Sheep, Parable of the Lost Coin, Parable of the Lost Son/Prodigal (Luke 15:4-32).

Lectio Divina is derived from a Latin word that means “holy reading.” It is an ancient method of slowly & prayerfully reading biblical texts in a repetitive fashion in order to encounter the mystery and love of God. If you are trying this on your own outside of a Kitchen Table, we encourage you to find a quiet place and center yourself in prayer as you begin.

• First Reading (lectio) – Slowly read the biblical passage as if it were a long awaited love letter addressed to you. On this first reading, simply become familiar with the story.

• Second Reading (lectio) – Allow a brief moment of silence and then read the same biblical text again slowly and expectantly. As you read the text the second time, notice a word or phrase that resonates, attracts or even disturbs.

• Expressing (oratio) –  Allow for about a minute of silence after the reading and simply name the word or phrase aloud. If you prefer to journal, write the word or phrase. Or, depict the word or phrase quickly with a drawing.

• Third Reading (lectio) – Read the same biblical text a third time. As you read, allow the image or phrase to sink in slowly and deeply. Listen for what the word or phrase might have to offer you at this point in your life.  Following the third reading, allow for 3-6 minutes of reflective silence (meditatio).  During the reflective silence, prayerfully consider how this word or phrase might relate to your life. How does this word or phrase inspire you? How does it challenge you?

• Expressing (oratio) – When the reflective silence concludes, share as openly and honestly as you are able about the thoughts, wonderings and learnings which came to them.  How does the word or phrase speak into your life? What questions do you have as a result of this prayerful reading? What challenges do you feel?  Hold these questions or journal about them or respond with art.

• Fourth Reading (lectio) – Finally, r read the biblical text a final time reflecting on an intention you might have for the week ahead in relationship to this biblical text.

• Expressing (oratio) – Make note of your intention in a way that you can revist.

Matt’s message this Sunday will weave together three parables: Parable of the Lost Sheep, Parable of the Lost Coin, Parable of the Lost Son/Prodigal (Luke 15:4-32).

Whichever parable you read for Lectio Divina, use the same parable for all of the readings of Lectio Divina this week. Lectio Divina is a practice. Be patient as you begin experimenting with this ancient form of searching scripture.