I cooperate with the threading, however. I respond. In my lectio of a few days ago, the following leapt right off the page: "The light shines on in darkness, a darkness that did not overcome it" (John 1:5). This word breathed life into me; it was vibrant and active and real. My part was to accept and embrace it, and to let it change whatever in me needed changing. In this case, the change has been in attitude and in time given to prayer. There is a Light, and His Name is Jesus, and He is stronger than the dark. I had realized this truth, of course, but in the moment when the words "leapt off the page" at me, I had a sudden, sharp sense of absolutely knowing. An assurance that His Light is seeking out and chasing away darkness in me, and darkness in the world - even though I may not see how that is happening. I also knew I was called to pray for the Light of Christ to triumph over specific circumstances in the world around. So - the fruit of that lectio has been deeper confidence and increasing prayer.
As we become more immersed in Scripture, this is what happens. We are touched, personally, by the word of God... and we change.
Today one of you shared the following: "I enjoyed your post on the 20th... I prayed with the scripture verse you had there and never got past the first one (Habakkuk 3:17-19). I was struck by this phrase - 'yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.' Specifically - 'yet I will ...' In other words, no matter what goes on in my life, I will be joyful and rejoice. Yet I will... I prayed with that all weekend! And I needed it today. I had such a terrible day at work. I cannot say I rejoiced until I came home and remembered the verse. THEN I thanked God. AND rejoiced."
Two examples of words that popped out of the readings and "stuck..." examples of seeing and responding to the world through the will of God. Do things look dark? I am assured that the Light shines on in darkness. Did I have a bad day at work? Yet I will thank God. I will rejoice.
It is Lectio, Lived.
