Lectio Divina Reading

June 10, 2004

Theme:  Loved By God

Hosea 11:1-4

When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called, the further they went away from me; they offered sacrifice to Baal and burnt incense to idols. I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I myself took them by the arm, but they did not know that I was the one caring for them, that I was leading them with human ties, with leading strings of love, that, with them, I was like someone lifting an infant to his cheek, and that I bent down to feed him.

Deuteronomy 7:7-11

Yahweh set his heart on you and chose you not because you were the most numerous of all peoples, for indeed you were the smallest of all, but because he loved you and meant to keep the oath which he swore to your ancestors: that was why Yahweh brought you out with his mighty hand and redeemed you from the place of slave-labor, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. From this you can see that Yahweh your God is the true God, the faithful God who, though he is true to his covenant and his faithful love for a thousand generations as regards those who love him and keep his commandments, punishes in their own persons those that hate him. He destroys anyone who hates him, without delay; and it is in their own persons that he punishes them. Hence, you must keep and observe the commandments, laws and customs, which I am laying down for you today.

Suggestion: As you read the daily newspaper or watch the daily news, notice the diverse ways in which God’s love is shown in the world.

Examine Prayer: After asking for the light of the Spirit, pray in reverence and gratitude for the constant flood of God’s gifts upon you and the world.

Notice what happens to your own desire to love as you become more aware of God’s lavish care for you.

Lectio Divina for CP Groups
Contemplative Outreach of Dallas