Behold

Lectio Divina always invites us delve deeper into the Word of God. There are times when certain Scriptures sort of linger with me. It is almost like they have gotten a hold of me and I find myself pondering them for several days. The beauty of the Liturgical Year is that Scriptures come by again. There is a rhythm of re-visiting. 

Last Sunday, John 1: 29-34 was read again. There is John the Baptist speaking about Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." The Lectio Divina process asks us to pick out one word or phrase that resonates with us. Well, for me it is the word "behold". 

Take a minute and sit with this word. 


                                   Behold

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Behold

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This word has always resonated with me. It speaks of gazing and looking intently. It seems to say, "Do not miss this!"

It also speaks of tender care, attentiveness, protection. That's why I picked this picture: These hands hold soil and the young plant, new life. What would it be like if you could hold God's Word like this? Behold God's Word? Cradle God's Word?

Beholding happens with all our faculties: Sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste. Behold the Word of God: 

See the Word
Hear the Word
Smell the Word
Touch the Word
Taste the Word

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Lectio Divina - Behold

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The Benedictine Way of Life is inviting us to behold God's Word. Isn't Lectio Divina that process of beholding?

Let's add it to the four Lectio Divina steps:

Reading - Behold as you read the Word
Meditatio - Behold as you ponder the Word
Oratio - Behold as you pray the Word
Contemplatio - Behold as you sit with the Word