Area Two: Meditation or “Meditatio"

To prepare for today, re-immerse in your experience from part one (Tuesday). After slowing down in silence or soft breath prayers, review the reading and the reflection word or words you wrote down. If you skipped yesterday, start there rather than here so the devotional time will make sense.

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Journal Prompt:

My Word(s) of Reflection:

Section two in Lectio Divina is meditation: Repeat that word or phrase that caught your attention, thinking about it in the presence of God – with God. The repetition focuses attention and permits a deepening of awareness. Pay attention to images, shapes, concepts, even colors or textures that occur as you pray. Notice memories and associations that arise in you, how this passage is touching you today. If you get distracted, simply return to the word or phrase that initially captured you. If a thought is something you need to remember, jot it down, then return to your meditation.

Journal Prompt:

My notes about images, shapes, concepts, colors, textures, memories and associations:

Since Wednesday is generally Identity in Christ day, let’s add an identity relating to the reading we are focusing on:

In Christ I am a treasure of God who gave his only Son in death that I might not perish but have life through eternity.

Micro-Meditation

Psalm 32:1-5

Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

Read the versus of the Psalm.

Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.

Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.

Teaching or Command of God

Hebrews 3:13

Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

The Promise

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Pondering Point

Do an inventory of your spirit with the Holy Spirit: Do you find any deceit? If not, rejoice in the work of the Lord. If so, pray for God to remove all deceit as you live under his grace and extend that grace to others.