Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

12/21/2020

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

Song of Songs 2:8-14

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

"Hark! My lover—here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills."

We are days away from renewing the coming of Christ in our hearts…Why does the Son of God become man? You are His beloved. He comes to you. Not only does he spring across mountains for you—but he takes on flesh.

Not only does He take on flesh, but He speaks to you. 'Arise my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come!' You respond to Him: "O come, O Come Emmanuel". Come. As lovers, you beckon to each other.

You say, "Come to me, my Lord and my love." And He does come as the Word made flesh who dwelt among us.

From all of eternity He draws you to Him by saying "come." Arise my beloved and come. He is always calling to you, and you know your lovers voice calling even across the hills. His eternal call to you - "come".

He longs to see you, and to hear your sweet voice. The winter is past, the rains are over and gone, it is a new day—a new year with the Lord! Speak to Him. Jesus wants to hear what makes you smile. Jesus wants to hear what makes you sad so that He may comfort you deeply. Your heart is worth pursuing. Your heart is worth being sacrificed for. He has been saying "come" from all of eternity, and your heart has been desiring Him too, "O Come, Emmanuel". This is the lover of your soul; you were made for Him.

Let Him see you. Curl up with the humble Lord and share all that you are with Him; every small detail. "For your voice is sweet and you are lovely".

Heart speaks unto heart as you come to your Lord and your Love. Love requires trust, vulnerability, the hope of something beautiful. It is a place to rest and feel safe. Come to the manger to see this baby whom your soul loves. Come. Come to the cleft of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff to see this Son of Man whom loves your soul. Advent recalls when He came before and calls to the forefront when He will come again. Listen across the hills for His voice, be attentive to the movements of the Holy One, your dove.

Arise and come... to the manger, to follow Him, to the Cross, to the glory of Heaven.

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

The Lord seeks you. How can you open your heart to Him today?

The Lord comes to you. Where do you see Him?

The Lord is seeking you. How can you seek Him?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"He comes to me."

"O' Come Emmanuel."

"Come."

Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

The Lord is seeking you and calling to you. At each moment you know God is with you today, offer up a prayer of gratitude.

Smartphone Lock Screen

The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

Today's prayer was prepared by Fr. Robert Blood.

CARPE VERBUM