During this Lenten Season, I invite you to listen to the Word of God that we might hear God afresh and be drawn more fully into His love.
We are reminded in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” So when was the last time we honestly, really, listened to God?
If you’ve ever been lost in thought and been brought back to the moment as another person asked, “Are you listening to me?” you have some sense of why we need to pause and refocus our attention on the God who speaks.
Our time—and therefore our thoughts and lives — are so fractured by thousands of different voices vying for our attention. No wonder we are prone to distraction and the modern world we inhabit is almost never quiet. Our days are filled with consuming and sharing, posting or watching, caring for others and engaging with those who need us. And when all is said and done, there is little room for stillness in even the most “typical” of days
Ask yourself, “Is my world ever quiet enough to hear my own heart beat or the chirping of a baby bird in the nest or the person striving to get my attention?” What about the still small voice of the Lord? Is your world quiet enough to hear Him? We can barely hear one another, let alone are we still enough and quiet enough to genuinely listen to God long enough that He can be fully heard.
Life is full of distractions, but God is worthy of our time and attention. Lent is a good opportunity to turn from the world and set aside intentional times, each day, for listening to God.
So, during this season, I invite you to just listen.
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, join me in listening to one or more Scripture readings and enter into your own time of reflection using Lectio Divina.
Lectio Divina (Latin for “Divine Reading”) is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s Word. Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four separate steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate.
A schedule of Scripture passages for the entire Lenten season is posted below. I encourage you to pick one or two per week and practice listening to God by focusing on the same passages each day, using the steps of Lectio Divina as we engage deeply with His Word. Consider entering this season with a heart to listen by reading the passages out loud or listening to them using a Bible app on your phone or device.
Read
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in your ways— Psalm 119:37
The great news is that we don’t have to wonder what God wants to say to us. He has already spoken through His Word, so let’s begin by quieting our hearts and minds and opening our Bibles. This process is a commitment of time and energy, but consider what “worthless things” we could turn away from, in order to turn toward True Life found only in God’s Word.
Meditate
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. – Psalm 119:15-16
Bible meditation is extended, intentional time thinking on a passage of God’s Word. This may include copying it several times, writing it and keeping the words where we will see them throughout the day, or reading or replaying the passage several times. The point is to put these words forefront in our minds and deep in our hearts.
Pray
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. – Psalm 119: 18
The only way we can truly hear and understand God’s words is through the work and power of His Spirit, illuminating them in our hearts. So, we pray and ask God to open our eyes— and ears—and make the truth of what we have read clear and real to us. We ask him to help us listen because in our own human power, we cannot.
Contemplate
My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. – Psalm 119:81
In the time of contemplation, you are invited to reflect on who God is, who you are in relationship to God and what the passage illuminates about reality. You are also invited to reflect on what the Holy Spirit is teaching you and how the Truth of God’s Word is transforming your life. Yes, we are going to listen to the same passages over and over again for the week. But each day, you’re invited to listen a little differently.
- Monday – As you listen to the Word of God, what words, ideas, images or phrases stand out for you?
- Tuesday – As you listen to the Word of God, what do you hear Jesus/the Gospel saying to you?
- Wednesday – As you listen to the Word of Christ, what is the Spirit revealing to you about yourself?
- Thursday – As you listen to the Word of Christ, what is the Spirit calling to do in response?
- Friday – As you listen to the Word of God, find one specific reason to give God thanks and praise. What manner of love has the Father given you as His child today?
Saturday will be a day of Sabbath rest, and a chance to reflect on all that you have heard in your time of listening during Lent. And then, each Sunday, we’ll reset with the verses for the new week.
You may wonder why I chose these particular verses. Many Christians in the world follow a set pattern of Bible reading called the Lectionary. You may or may not be in church that follows the Lectionary, if you are, these readings will align with your church’s Lenten schedule. If not, then welcome to Lectio Divina and the reading of this year’s passages from the Lectionary.
Welcome to my Lenten Devotion 2023. I am looking forward to listening with you to all the Lord has to say. – Carmen LaBerge.
Listening Lent schedule
I encourage you to choose one or two passages to repeat for the entire week. When we arrive at Holy week, consider choosing one each from the Old and New Testament per day.
2/22 Ash Wednesday
- Joel 2:1-2,12-17
- or Isaiah 58:1-12
- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
- Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
- Psalm 103 or 103:8-14
2/26 Sunday
- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
- Romans 5:12-19
- Matthew 4:1-11
- Psalm 32
3/5 Sunday
- Genesis 12:1-4a
- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
- John 3:1-17
- Psalm 121
3/12 Sunday
- Exodus 17:1-7
- Romans 5:1-11
- John 4:5-42
- Psalm 95
3/19 Sunday
- 1 Samuel 16:1-13
- Ephesians 5:8-14
- John 9:1-41
- Psalm 23
3/26 Sunday
- Ezekiel 37:1-14
- Romans 8:6-11
- John 11:1-45
- Psalm 130
4/2 Palm Sunday
- Matthew 21:1-11
- Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
- Isaiah 50:4-9a
- Philippians 2:5-11
4/3 Monday
- Isaiah 42:1-9
- Hebrews 9:11-15
- John 12:1-11
- Psalm 36:5-11
4/4 Tuesday
- Isaiah 49:1-7
- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
- John 12:20-36
- Psalm 71:1-14
4/5 Wednesday
- Isaiah 50:4-9a
- Hebrews 12:1-3
- John 13:21-32
- Psalm 70
4/6 Maundy Thursday
- Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- John 13:1-17, 31b-35
- Psalm 116:1, 10-17
4/7 Good Friday
- Isaiah 52:13-53:12
- Hebrews 10:16-25
- or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
- John 18:1-19:42
- Psalm 22
4/8 Saturday
- Job 14:1-14
- or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24
- 1 Peter 4:1-8
- Matthew 27:57-66
- or John 19:38-42
- Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16
4/9 Easter Sunday
- Acts 2:42-47
- 1 Peter 2:19-25
- John 10:1-10
- Psalm 23
