Big Ears

Guiding Prayer For Our Season of Fasting: 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom,the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Myself in Truth

God of Peace. Grant me peace in this moment and in those to come. Help me to focus on your presence and in your presence.  Amen 

Nurtured and Nurturing

Father God, family can be frustrating, but often because we do not slow down to listen to one another. Grant us the patience to hear one another out and respond in grace. Amen

The Gathered

Gathering God, when we all get together, often we focus on one another and forget to invite you into the conversation. As we gather, we pray that you might grant us with a true awareness of Your presence and may we seek your wisdom and will above our own. Amen

Challenge

Read Luke 9:34-36 and practice the ancient Christan art of spiritual listening, called Lectio Divina, described below.

Luke 9:30-36

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

³⁰ Suddenly, two men were talking with Him—Moses and Elijah. ³¹ They appeared in glory and were speaking of His death, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.³² Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep, and when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him. 

³³ As the two men were departing from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it’s good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then a voice came from the cloud, saying:

This is My Son, the Chosen One;
listen to Him!

³⁶ After the voice had spoken, only Jesus was found. They kept silent, and in those days told no one what they had seen.

Just Listen!

Just listen! How many times have you said those words to someone or had them said to you?  How many times have you been angered when a friend, or a spouse or a family member did not listen?  How many times have you seen bad things happen because someone didn't listen to you? Running out of fingers and toes to count on?

Just yesterday, Jozie and I went by Sonic for cherry limeades and ice cream after dance lessons.  Jozie only eats about three bites of ice cream, so I ordered the "mini sonic blast".  When the waiter comes out, he has a ginormous cup of ice cream and says "medium sonic blast". Nooo!  "I ordered the mini sonic blast" I said.  And after apologizing and saying he could change it, I just said not to worry about it. I was in a hurry for no reason in particular anyway.  So Jozie has her ice cream and her limeade, just as happy as a lark. But then she said that she wanted her lime and I told her that they are at the bottom of the cup. "Finish your drink and then you can get the lime out." Foreseeing her thought process, as a mother often does, I said very clearly, "DO NOT TAKE YOUR LID OFF." "Yes ma'm". No sooner had I gotten around the back side of the parking lot than I hear an ''Uh oh, I'm sorry Mommy" and there is ice and pink beverage all over she and the carseat.  Urrrrr! Initiate steam coming from my ears and images of picking up my child and throwing her like a javelin right into Bojangles across the street. I wanted to stomp and kick and throw a tantrum! It was a blessing that I didn't have a baseball bat, or there may have been dents all over my car and the pavement because it had just been a day of frustrations.  WHY DON'T PEOPLE JUST LISTEN!!!

Jesus must have felt that way so very often.  And here in the scripture we hear God in person say to the disciples (in the Beca Lindhout translation) "Listen to my son!"  Don't move, don't build, just take it all in.

To the disciples credit, they were doing all they knew to do. Jesus, Moses and Elijah were standing before them in a cloud, all sparkly in glory and the disciples probably thought something like "Wow, let's make this moment last. Let's build some tents for these guys and they can stay a while". But what we learn from God in this instance, is that when you're in the presence of great wisdom and holiness, in those sacred moments...just listen.

But listening is hard, especially listening to God because it's not usually an auditory process.  It's a process, of prayer and scripture and seeking out the wisdom of those we feel serve as spiritual mentors for us.  But how often in that process do we actually listen?  Do we read scripture with intent?  Do we wait in silence during our prayer time? Do we whine and talk more about ourselves than we listen when we get those precious few moments with those who have wisdom to share?

Today I challenge you to really listen to the scripture.  I invite you to join me in spiritual practice called "Lectio Divina" which means Divine Reading or Reading the Divine. It is a process of reading scripture with an open heart and allowing God the time and our presence of mind to truly speak through The Word. I encourage you to use Luke 9:34-36 as your guiding scripture.  Here are the directions for this ancient Christian practice and blessings on the journey.
 -Beca

Choose a short passage- just a few verses. Make yourself comfortable in a place that is as free from interruptions as possible. Begin with silence for a few minutes, humbly asking God to quiet your heart and make you aware that you are in His loving presence.

When you are ready, begin reading and praying through the four movements, described below with both the Latin and English word that summarizes each one. With time and practice, these movements will become so simple and easy, because they flow naturally from one to the other:

Lectio (READ): On the first reading, simply open yourself to the presence of God. Read the passage slowly and prayerfully, allowing short pauses between sentences. (Over time you will discover whether it is more helpful for you to read silently or out loud- try them both…) As you read, take in the words and the overall flow of the passage. Then allow a time of silence following the reading- continue to open yourself to the Spirit of God.

Meditatio (REFLECT): On the second prayerful reading of the passage, listen for a particular word or a phrase through which God wants to speak to you. You will notice your attention being drawn to something (or if this doesn't happen, just choose a word). Once you have "received" the word or phrase, begin to silently meditate on that. Reflect on why God would highlight this for you today, ask Him any questions that come to mind, and note things that seem important as you meditate on what He has given you. Remember that the focus is on listening to what God has to say to you.

Oratio (RESPOND): On the third prayerful reading of the passage, listen now for God's invitation, and respond from your heart. The Living God is always inviting us in some way... to let go of something, or to take up something; to do something or be something… the invitation can take innumerable forms. Following the reading, continue to listen for His invitation and then respond silently or out loud from an honest heart.

Contemplatio (REST): The focus of the fourth prayerful reading of the passage is to simply rest now in the love that God has for you. Let the words wash over you- there is no further need to reflect or respond- allow God's Spirit to draw you close and fill you with His love, grace and peace. Linger in this place of deep connection, for you are being filled and refreshed for your continuing journey.

You are encouraged to take a word, phrase or image with you when it is time to return to the day... something to which you can return throughout the day… something that will remind you of the love of God for you, and the special message He had for you today.

Directions for Lectio Divina taken from http://www.journeycenter.org/encLectioDivina.php