I Say to You, RISE
“I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”
Sisters, this Gospel is RICH for Lectio Divina, so we’re going to take advantage of that today! I’ve put together three different meditations, each from a different perspective, to help guide you into a deeper Lectio Divina. I encourage you to take a little extra time in prayer today if you can. Typically, this exercise takes about 30 minutes. As with most things, what you “get out” of Lectio Divina typically corresponds with what you put in. If you take the time to create space for God to speak and reveal new ideas, you’ll probably have a more powerful and prayerful experience.
If you’ve never prayed Lectio Divina, check out Busted Halo for a basic overview.
As I said above, I’ve put together three different prompts for the Gospel reading today to deepen your Lectio Divina; they’re listed below. For today’s purposes, I’d encourage you to use the following framework for reflection:
Find a quiet, peaceful place and give yourself about 30 minutes. If you’d like some background music, try the music below. Just try your best not to rush.
Open your heart to God and pray this simple prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit. Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Abba, Father. Thank You for the scriptures and the gift of the imagination you’ve given to me. Please help me to come to know You better through this exercise. Please open my heart to Your voice and reveal something new in this time of prayer. Amen.(Lectio) Read the Gospel once.
(Meditatio) Re-read the Gospel, but a bit slower. Start to envision the environment – the weather that day, the general landscape, the look of the home, etc… . Ask God to reveal which reflection to ponder – if you don’t sense a response, go with your gut. Slowly read one of the three meditations provided. Engage your imagination to thoughtfully answer the questions and explore new avenues, questions, or thoughts that enter your mind. If God uses a piece of the meditation to take you in a different direction, follow His lead and simply return to the prompts afterward.
(Oratio) Re-read the Gospel and the prompts again solidifying your perspective and asking God to speak to you about your responses. Use this time to enter into a dialogue with God - if you’re having trouble hearing His voice, just “follow the peace” - trust the thoughts that bring you peace and explore them more deeply.
(Contemplatio) Allow God to guide you to a conclusion. Try not to leave any ideas still “on the table.” Explore until you feel finished or drawn to pull the prayer time to a close. Then, simply rest in His presence and peace.
Close with this simple prayer:
Father, thank You for showing me something new and revealing a new perspective with this scripture. Please help me to use this new knowledge to live more deeply connected to You. Please continue to protect my imagination that it may only be used to grow in holiness and goodness. Amen.
Meditations:
The Paralytic. Imagine what it would be like to be the paralytic in the story. What would it be like to be hauled to the roof and lowered down before Jesus? Imagine the devotion of the four men carrying you – how would you feel towards them? What must those relationships be like? How would the bystanders feel about you? And then, to hear Jesus speaking to the scribes over you? What would His voice have sounded like to you? How would you feel in His presence? What would the room have been like? Stuffy and hot or do you imagine a breeze? What does Jesus look like from the mat where you lay? And how does your body feel when He commands you to get up and walk? How would the faces around you look? What would you say or do if you were healed? What would you say to Jesus? What would it mean to pick up your mat and go home? What does home look like? What kind of response would you get when you got there? Feel free to use your imagination and explore other questions and thoughts that enter your mind.
The Men on the Roof. Imagine what it would be like to be one of the four men in the story. What would it be like to haul the paralytic up to the roof and lower Him down before Jesus. What do you believe about Jesus that you would attempt such a feat? Who are you to the paralytic – a bystander pressed into service or a dear friend or a family member? Why do you want the paralytic to be healed? What is his impact on your life? What is that relationship like? What do you imagine the bystanders are saying about you tearing off the roof? How do they feel about you? And then, to hear Jesus speaking - what does His voice sound like to you? Does He look up at you? If yes, what do His eyes say when they meet yours? What is the view from the roof like? Who is in the room? What does it look like? How are you feeling before Jesus heals the paralytic? What is His presence like? And how do you feel when you see the paralytic get up and walk? How do you react when he gets up? Do you whoop or yell or fall off the roof in shock? Do you run down to embrace Him or lock Your eyes on Jesus unable to walk away? Feel free to use your imagination and explore other questions and thoughts that enter your mind.
An Onlooker inside Jesus’ home. Imagine what it would be like to be an onlooker in the story. What would it be like to be in the same room as Jesus? Are you waiting for healing from Jesus? How would you be feeling? Anxious, excited, afraid? What would you think as the men lowered the paralytic into the room – how would you feel towards them? Do you know the paralytic? Is he familiar to you? How do you feel about him? And then, as Jesus speaks to the scribes, can you hear Him? Is it loud in the room or so quiet a pin could drop - or somewhere in between? What part of the room are you in? What does it look like, smell like, feel like? How close are you to Jesus? Can you see Him from where you’re standing? Can you feel His presence? If yes, what does it feel like? What does Jesus look like when He commands the man to get up and walk? Before the man rises, how do you feel when Jesus issues that command? Do you doubt the man will walk? How long does it take the man to stand? Does he bolt upright – or does it take him a moment? Does he test his strength or is he eager? How do you feel as the man (who was the paralytic) walks past you? Imagine you are next to see Jesus - what would you say or do? What if you were healed? What would you say to Jesus? Feel free to use your imagination and explore other questions and thoughts that enter your mind.
Father,
We love You. Thank You for the gift of Lectio Divina and the divine revelation You offer to us. Help us to live deeply connected You every day. Amen.