Lectio Divina Reading
November 20, 2003
Opening Prayer
Psalm 25 (King James Version)
Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in thee let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
Yea, let none that wait on the be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
Shew me thy ways, O LORD: teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth; and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the LORD is with them that hear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
The Book of Wisdom (also known as ‘The Book of Solomon’)
Chapter 7:7-21
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Solomon’s respect for Wisdom And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. I esteemed her more than scepters and thrones; compared with her, I held riches as nothing. I reckoned no precious stone to be her equal, for compared with her, all gold is a pinch of sand, and beside her silver ranks as mud. I loved her more than health or beauty, preferred her to the light, since her radiance never sleeps. In her company all good things came to me, and at her hands incalculable wealth. All these delighted me, since Wisdom brings them, though I did not then realize that she was their mother. What I learned diligently, I shall pass on liberally, I shall not conceal how rich she is. For she is to human beings an inexhaustible treasure, and those who acquire this win God’s friendship, commended to him by the gifts of instruction. |
His appeal for divine inspiration May God grant me to speak as he would wish and conceive thoughts worthy of the gifts I have received, since he is both guide to Wisdom and director of Sages; for we are in his hand, yes, ourselves and our sayings, and all intellectual and all practical knowledge. He it was who gave me sure knowledge of what exists, to understand the structure of the world and the action of the elements, the beginning, end and middle of the times, the alternation of the solstices and the succession of the seasons, the cycles of the year and the position of the stars, the natures of animals and the instincts of wild beasts, the powers of spirits and human mental processes, the varieties of plants and medical properties of roots. And now I understand everything, hidden or visible, for Wisdom, the designer of all things, has instructed me. |
Journaling Suggestions
Search your present life situations. Where is it that you most need Sophia’s guidance?
Go to Sophia. Find her sitting in her chair of wisdom. Ask her to led and direct you.
Receive her wisdom.
Reflect on 1 Kings 5:9-14. The author endows Solomon with the kind of knowledge prized in the Hellenistic culture of his own day. In this context, God is represented as the source of all truth, and the human sciences as dependent on his wisdom.
Guidance
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Trusted Guide, you are my Mentor, my Inspiration, my Home of good choices and decisions. You help me to search with confidence as I find my way to inner peace.
Please gather your wisdom around me. Guide me carefully as I make choices about how to use my energy positively. Place your discerning touch on my mind so that I will think clearly. Place your loving fingers on my heart so I will be more fully attentive to what is really of value. |
Teach me how to hear your voice, to be aware of what is in my mind and heart, to attend to your wisdom in those around me, to acknowledge my intuitions and ponder my dreams, to listen to the earth and all of life, for in each piece of my existence you are guiding me.
Guide of my life, Thank you for all you have given to me. Reveal my spiritual path and direct me in the living of it. Lead me to inner peace and oneness with you. |
Prayers to Sophia, Joyce Rupp
Lectio Divina
for CP Groups
Contemplative Outreach of Dallas