Lectio Divina
Begin by selecting a passage of Scripture or use the passage below. Then take a few deep breaths, slowing down, and opening yourself to a time of prayerful listening.
Read through the passage of Scripture slowly, listening for a word or phrase that jumps out at you. Spend a few minutes in silence reflecting on that word or phrase.
Matthew 26:30-46
When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
“But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”Peter said to him, “Even if all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Abba, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Abba, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Now the hour is at hand, and the Son of the Human One is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”
Read the passage again this time listening for what God might be saying to you today through this passage?
Spend a few minutes in silence.
Read the passage for the third and final time, this time in the silence following reflect on what it is God is calling you to do or become through this passage of Scripture?
Begin by selecting a passage of Scripture or use the passage below. Then take a few deep breaths, slowing down, and opening yourself to a time of prayerful listening.
Read through the passage of Scripture slowly, listening for a word or phrase that jumps out at you. Spend a few minutes in silence reflecting on that word or phrase.
Matthew 26:30-46
When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
“But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”Peter said to him, “Even if all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Abba, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Abba, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Now the hour is at hand, and the Son of the Human One is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”
Read the passage again this time listening for what God might be saying to you today through this passage?
Spend a few minutes in silence.
Read the passage for the third and final time, this time in the silence following reflect on what it is God is calling you to do or become through this passage of Scripture?