Lent | Isaiah 58:6-9
Over the next seven weeks, we will be exploring different spiritual practices that will help us engage with scripture differently during the Lenten season. Today, we engage with a faith practice called Lectio Divina.
Lectio Divina is a type of meditative prayer practice that includes a reading, a time of meditation, a time of prayer, and a time of contemplation. You will read the passage three times, with a pause after each one and a prompt for meditation and contemplation.
The first time you read the passage, select one word or phrase that stands out to you, and meditate on it for a few moments of silence. Write down the word or phrase from your meditation.
The second time you read the passage, select a word or phrase that stands out to you (it may be the same or different from the first time), and consider how it may be speaking to you in your own life. Write down a word or phrase from your meditation.
The third time you read the passage, select a word or phrase that stands out to you, and consider how it may speak to us in community. Write down the word or phrase from your meditation as well.
At the end of your meditation, close out this moment with a word of prayer. If prayer is something that is difficult for you, you can close this time out by taking a deep breath in and releasing that breath out into the world. God knows what is on our hearts, even when it is hard to say out loud.
Today we will be focusing on Isaiah 58:6-9:
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
Here are some additional questions for you to ponder and journal about after you finish this particular spiritual practice, either now or throughout this week:
What does Lent focus on, and why do you think the Church observes the Lenten season?
What messages have you heard about fasting from the media, your friends and family, the Church, etc.?
How does this passage inform the nature and purpose of fasting?
What do we see about the Divine Nature in this passage?
Do you have any intentions for observing Lent this year?
Join our Lenten Reflections Group!
Would you like to engage with some of these spiritual practices in community?
Join our Lenten Reflections Drop-In Group! This group will be led by QCF Community Members Emerson Quadri (they/them) & Jessica Quadri (she/her) Wednesdays at 8PM ET. Join us for a time of reflection and discussion as we head into the Easter season.
Visit the link below to learn more!
