114: Jesus youth…
Imagination Prayer focus here is kind of interesting, as it places me back in my experience at this same age.
It’s not so much a challenge, as it really feels so familiar somehow? I mean, not that I could have had similar experiences, but the sense of being alone and doing what comes to me. . . I guess, I still do that now? I’m not ever 100% sure of anything. And to trust and step into things that seem sorta ambiguous is very common for me.
This sounds like what I felt reading Luke today. Yes Jesus stepped into exactly where he belonged and did exactly what was needed. No one else will ever do that, but to experience the feeling, and understand more, and learn more is the goal here.
Evidently, this age and time period is really important. I had the odd experience of biking off somewhere again and suddenly Jesus said how I was on My bike Betsy, from High School again in NJ. Yes, I looked down at my bike and felt that same love and joy I got on my bike lost in the hills and trees of NJ. Yes, that same wonderful experience of twelve, not yet a teenager, but ready and excited to do anything as I biked everywhere. Yes, I could always do anything fearless and confident.
Yes, I was totally floored… I mean to be filled with the love and joy of sharing the beauty and experience of my bike ride with Jesus and Betsy again. And again I had the feeling and realization about how I could be doing this for the next fifty years. Or in the peace of Jesus for all eternity.
I know there is something here about carrying this forward and creating the space and atmosphere for experiencing more of his love and joy each moment. As I started this next chapter, Dick reminded me to do the Lectio Divina, where I read the Bible very slowly and carefully to pull out the words that were really strong for me. . . .


And it was really so strong with my Bike Ride and Betsy reminding me how to live According the God’s Laws for increasing my Wisdom through God’s Favor. And these words are so strong here in this passage reflecting the learning and experiences that I stumble on again now.
Day 1 Luke 2:39-40 Again feels like coming home again. Being twelve, where I can know and recognize that love and Spirit of God’s Favor, seeking to share the deeper Wisdom and Understanding of His Laws. Like in this very moment with Betsy, my bike, guiding me to safety and easily avoiding the street potholes, and staying in the open clear paths ahead of me. Yes, this immediate experience of knowing I’m safe and guided. Knowing God’s Favor and accepting my place and responsibility to BE Twelve again, filled with God’s Joy and Wisdom following the Laws and Guidance I receive in His Grace. How wonderful to have this experience now.

Sunday now! My Prayerline calls were sparse. But I still had really strong experiences, where each caller was very focused and clear about their needs. I even told one to join the Prayerline, since they were so focused and clear. I also had one who needed to Renounce and Command in the name of Jesus to remove some fear and anxiety.. And then another who needed to get outside and love the grace and Beauty that God is all around us, in the beauty of nature.

Of course, as I am writing now in my extra room, with the fan running after my morning outside in the yard gardening. Yes cleaned and showered now to write as I fast another holy day. Yes, I decided to fast every other day. Yesterday I had my morning fruit and then a steak and veggies later on. Friday I had coffee and my fruit drink, as again today I will as well. Yes, yesterday I had some peanuts and read more about sprouting them first. Then also had some of my favorite EatingEvolved Chocolate bars. . . But I think Nabisco bought them out, so no more fresh organics from there I’m sure!
The Day 2 Lectio with Luke 2:41-50 was more intimate for me as I could sense how little concern Jesus Had about His Parents. . . . Of course, He was in his Fathers house, busy with whatever tasks God had placed before him. They already knew who he was and what he had before him, so "why were you looking" . . . Where they recognized he was only twelve, and were unaware of how soon he might begin his work, so they were searching and looking for him.
It is odd again as I read and feel this experience of the unaware searching parent. And again I feel myself at twelve and my mother being completely aware and knowing I was always off getting into something. She really struggled to Keep me out of Trouble, and taught me all sorts to stay safe. So I was the one who was really unaware. But My mom really sensed, understood, and accepted what was before me. I mean hindsight is 20/20, so now as I wonder and consider all she did for me. . . She really knew a lot more than I could ever imagine. And still today I’m learning from her, and recognizing her beauty and grace watching out for me, and hiding me, and protecting me as she knew something about where I was heading and what was before me…. That I still cannot understand…. -

.Day 3:Luke 51-52 What I found fascinating this time was how they still didn't understand, but his mother treasured these things in her heart.
Again I think of my mom and how she always understood so much and might have treasured, or might not have. I guess she did, as she would always go out of her way for me. Always trying to do more, guide more, lead more, protect more. . . Whether it was a treasure I surely doubt. But there is really so much more she has left here for me to learn and explore. Now Day 4 is repeating and re-evaluating these Graces and Experiences shared with Jesus and his Family. I’ve seen many wonderful families and how they are all together and supporting each other. I’ve really only had glimpses. I’ve seen how this brotherhood of the Men’s Fraternity has been more “family” and supportive than anything I’ve ever witnessed. I mean, I’ve been married twice and seen other families, but never had any reason or need to get any love or support. Of course, Joyce in High School was much like my mom, supporting, listening and caring for me unconditionally as almost Magic.
Hallow app: in order to learn how to pray, we need to first learn how to listen. We walked through the Our Father prayer line by line and opened ourselves up to hearing God’s voice. Today we’re going to continue listening for God as we look at a way of praying with the Bible called Lectio Divina. Now, those two words may either be very familiar to you or you might think I’m speaking a different language. Either way, you’re right! Lectio Divina is a Latin phrase that means “divine reading.” It’s a powerful process of praying with Scripture that was developed in the earliest monastic communities. And it’s a spiritual discipline that has changed not only my life but the lives of countless Christians all around the world. So, let me ask you a question: Wherever you are in your life - married, single, young, old, student, or retiree - if you could sit with Jesus for 10, 15, 20 minutes a day and hear Him speaking to you, would you do it? I think the answer is a big “YES”! We could all use a word from the Lord right now - about our marriages, our work, our parenting, our friendships, our finances, about anything that we are carrying. That’s what Lectio Divina can do for us. God gave us the ability to hear His voice. It may not always be in ways that are spectacular, miraculous, or otherworldly. Oftentimes, God speaks to us in a very gentle, quiet voice that can get drowned out by all the other noises in our lives. In my experience, one of the best ways that we can hear the “still, small voice of God” is in his sacred Word: the Bible. The Bible is much more than a collection of stories or an historical account of what happened to the Jewish people. It is a love letter from our Heavenly Father to us, for our encouragement and enlightenment. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd… My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (Jn. 10:27). Prayerfully reading Scripture through the practice of Lectio Divina helps us grow in relationship with Jesus, our Good Shepherd, so that we can know his voice more clearly and follow him with our whole hearts. So, how do you get started? Many people who pray with Scripture using lectio divina follow the four simple steps laid out centuries ago by a monk named Guigo the Carthusian. He described them as a four-rung ladder that lifts us up from earth to heaven. We’ll put them all into practice together in just a minute, but I’ll explain them briefly now. The first thing we do when praying with Lectio Divina - and really the first thing we should do anytime we approach the Lord in prayer - is ask for God’s help. St. John Paul II said that one condition for Lectio Divina is that the mind and heart be illumined by the Holy Spirit, that is, by the same Spirit who inspired the Scriptures, and that Scripture be approached with an attitude of “reverential hearing.” So we begin Lectio Divina by asking for the Holy Spirit to help us read - or listen to - His divine word. We recall the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Romans, who said, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.” Let that be our first prayer: Holy Spirit, teach us to pray. Now once we have called on God for his help, the next step is to read, or “Lectio.” Choose a small passage of Scripture - usually no more than say three to five verses - and simply read it slowly, carefully. I often recommend praying with the Gospel from the Daily Mass readings. Another option could be to choose a short passage from the Book of Psalms or Proverbs - anything that speaks to you and opens you up to hear God’s voice. The key with this first step of Lectio Divina is to figure out: What does this passage say - what are the facts? Notice keywords, nouns and verbs: people, things and actions. Anything that’s repeated. Things compared or contrasted. Pay attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you. About the point when you start moving from gathering facts to wondering about them, it’s time for the next step. “Meditatio,” or Meditate, is when we begin to get into the Word so deeply that we begin discovering not just what it says, but what it means. The word for “meditate” in Hebrew is ‘hagah’. To hagah is to vocalize; it is to meditate on something so strongly that you respond audibly from the depths of your soul. In Isaiah 31:4, a lion “hagahs” over its prey. Hagah is an active chewing on the word of God, a savoring its flavor. It’s like “chewing the cud,” getting out every last drop. So how do you do it? You can ask questions about the details you noted in the last step. You’ve been asking who, what, when, where. Now ask, Why? or What does it mean? What might God be saying to me through this passage? As you meditate on what Scripture means, the next natural step is to begin thinking of how it applies to you. At this point, you turn to God and respond to Him. Now, the third step of Lectio Divina is called “Oratio,” or prayer. This is the place we’ve been looking for from the start: prayerful reading that brings about an intimate dialogue: we hear God speaking to us, and we respond with an open heart. There are many ways you can respond, and they’re all right. The Bible gives us a number of different examples: Mary pondering things in her heart; Abraham arguing with God; Jacob wrestling with Him. From the Gospels, the father of the son possessed by a demon, who says: “Lord I believe; help my unbelief!" What is in your heart? Talk to God. Stay with Him and expect an answer. As you pray, listen. The point of this step is simply to respond. If you have trouble, ask yourself: What is God saying to me, and what do I want to say back? When we pray, we gradually are lifted into God’s presence and filled with His peace – which brings us to the next step: “Contemplatio,” or Contemplate. Now, this is less something you do than it is the result of what you have been doing. It is the fruit of your labors, like enjoying the flowers that come up in the garden you have planted and watered and tilled. Your mind is lifted to God, and you experience His presence with joy and peace. Imagine sitting with someone you love on the beach, watching the sunset. Just being with them, communicating without words. Or staring at your child as she sleeps and feeling that love. This intense satisfaction is what you will feel as your mind is lifted up to God and held there in quiet joy. The point of this step is to spend time in God’s presence. I invite you to notice that “prayer” as we often think of it—us talking to God—is only one of the steps! And it’s the third step, at that. It’s not the starting place, it comes after we call out to God and listen to His word. It may be tempting to speed up and skip steps BUT: become like a child, take one step at a time. Be willing to work at it – like cultivating a vine. It will pay off in the end, like the labor of tending grapes pays off in good wine.