Friday: Learning, Studying & Exploring
September 12
- Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20 — “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
- Reflection: Try lectio divina, audio divina, or visio divina. To learn more about the practice of lectio divine, read this. To understand visio divina, learn more here. For audio divina, this site has more info.
For lectio divina or audio divina, find a scriptural passage on which to focus, and read it. Or a piece of sacred music, and listen to it or play it, if you’re a musician. Sample resources offered below.
Sit quietly while meditating on what you just absorbed. Read or listen to it again. Have someone else read it aloud for you, if possible, so you take in the message with different sense. Read it aloud yourself. Or have someone else play or perform it for you.
What phrases or words stick with you? What connects right now? What does it mean to you
Alternately, try visio divina. Sample collection tagged below. Focus on an image inspired by the text or theme you’re considering. Study it. Let it sink in. Close your eyes and find out what remains in your imagination.
Wonder, in each case, what about it speaks to you or resonates with you? What do you notice and retain? What do you dislike?
Learning through the Word, other literature or pieces of art, or commentaries about those pieces, prompts us to reflect more deeply about our faith. Today we start with our own engagement with pieces of scripture, literature, music, or art. What do we think or know intuitively about them? What do they say to us? What parts of them are they important right now? - Spiritual Practice: Find a resource that has scriptures (collection of citations from Bible), inspirational quotes (collection of quotes), sacred images (example of one collection of religious art), or meaningful songs (sample collection of world folk songs here). Pick one and try one of the exercises above.
Song:
- The Words by Christine Perri: https://youtu.be/B9tc9R_Y3FY?si=q6gcvcxcg2xT5APV
- Your Word by Hillsong Worship: https://youtu.be/G9NEYy71lcU?si=emEJ-VYcH1duBD5Z
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” — Plutarch
Sept 12 Daily Devotional