Week 3 Christmas Challenge: Lectio Liminal.Sample

Here’s the Infinitum Christmas Plan take on the old discipline of ‘divine reading’. 

First Movement: Peruse. Peruse means ‘read (something), typically in a thorough or careful way’. Before you start, ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart for this exercise and then read slowly, curiously, and aggressively. Here is the story (Voice):

Mary: My soul lifts up the Lord!

47 My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator!

48 For though I’m God’s humble servant, God has noticed me. Now and forever, I will be considered blessed by all generations.

49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me; holy is God’s name!

50 From generation to generation, God’s lovingkindness endures for those who revere Him.

51 God’s arm has accomplished mighty deeds. The proud in mind and heart, God has sent away in disarray.

52 The rulers from their high positions of power, God has brought down low. And those who were humble and lowly, God has elevated with dignity.

53 The hungry—God has filled with fine food. The rich—God has dismissed with nothing in their hands.

54 To Israel, God’s servant, God has given help,

55 As promised to our ancestors, remembering Abraham and his descendants in mercy forever.

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth in Judea for the next three months and then returned to her home in Galilee.

Second Movement: Weigh. Here are contextual synonyms: ‘consider · contemplate · think about · give thought to · entertain the idea of · deliberate about · turn over in one's mind · mull over · chew over · reflect on · ruminate about · muse on · assess · appraise’. Don’t rush this movement.

Third Movement: Ask. Ask God to confirm or clarify bits you’ve been chewing on and to enlighten you on things you missed that He as for you. In this movement, you might profitably ask about lessons and tips God has from this reading for you in the realm of surrender, generosity, and mission.

Fourth Movement: Muse. Muse—‘be absorbed in thought… gaze thoughtfully at’—is a verb synonym of the Latin word ‘contempatio’. From Google, “The word contemplation is derived from the Latin word contemplatio, ultimately from the Latin word templum, a piece of ground consecrated for the taking of auspices, or a building for worship.” So, in a sense, we are to recognize that we are on holy ground in this exercise (note further that ‘auspices’ means ‘a divine or prophetic token’).

Fifth Movement: Activate. Apply what you have picked up (this might take the rest of the day… or the rest of your life).