... from the readings of the day:
Says the LORD,
I will love them freely;
for my wrath is turned away from them.
I will be like the dew for Israel:
he shall blossom like the lily;
He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,
and put forth his shoots.
Hosea 14:5-8
Our God loves us freely.
The Gardener planted carefully after tilling the
soil and mixing in deeply, year-old manure. The seed
cracked, the shoot grew to the light and warmth,
broke through. The Gardener laughed with delight.
Our God loves us freely.
The Gardener watered the soil, weeded to ensure
the path to the light remained open and clear.
The seedling thrived under the Gardener's care
and in the ground chosen. The Gardener smiled.
Our God loves us freely.
The Gardener tended the sapling, always seeing
the final shape. Inward-growing shoots were rubbed
off, branches crossing others pruned. The Gardener
sat in the evening light and sighed with satisfaction.
Our God loves us freely.
The simple design established, sapling grew to
tree, and in many many years to maturity,
its great flat top spread to the light. The Gardener
comes often to rest in the shade, to softly touch the trunk.
Our God loves us freely.
Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".
The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.
Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.
Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!
If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation, try this from one of today's readings, Mark 12:28-31
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Is there a word of phrase that jumps out to speak to you?
Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
Then spend 5, or 10, or 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the phrase GROW.
You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).
You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds.
After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen.
Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).
You may need a countdown clock.
At the end thank God, and return to your day.
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