Visio Divina Eastertide

Posted on April 28, 2020 by warwickdebra

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

VLUU L200 / Samsung L200

Visio Divina:

1. Close your eyes, breathe, clear your mind, and ask God to enter into this time of prayer with you and to speak to you through the image.

2. Open your eyes and look at the image. Let your eyes pause and focus on the part of the image that you are first drawn to. Gaze upon just that part of the image for a minute or two. Is there an emotion or word that speaks to you? Are there questions that come to mind? Then close your eyes, still seeing that part of the image in your mind.

3. Open your eyes and now look upon the whole image. Is there an emotion or word that speaks to you? Are there questions that come to mind?

4. Close your eyes again and rest in God as long as you need to.

5. Open your eyes. While looking upon the image, respond to God. Pray through the words, images, emotions, questions, and thoughts that are now on your heart. Continue to look upon the image as you pray.

6. Close your eyes and rest your eyes briefly.

7. Open your eyes and gaze again upon the image as you finish your prayer time. Reflect upon this prayer experience. Consider how you’ll take this into your life. You may choose to journal about your experience.

Visio Divina Eastertide Day 12

Posted on April 25, 2020 by warwickdebra

Today’s visio divina images come from Leslyn Shortes as she put together an art expression for our women’s retreat. I often experience a oneness with God and with others in prayer at retreats. The passage that comes to mind is John 17:23, I am in them and you are in me-so that they might be brought to complete unity.

That the women represented also represent the world was sort of a surprise to her at the time, but as all people of the Earth are one in facing the pandemic it is timely. John’s passage continues: then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you love me.

From Leslyn: I pray God will use this time of pause in our lives to more fully manifest His love through us and that the world will emerge from this pandemic more in His image.

Visio Divina Eastertide Day 11

Posted on April 24, 2020 by warwickdebra

1. Close your eyes, breathe, clear your mind, and ask God to enter into this time of prayer with you and to speak to you through the image.

3. Open your eyes and now look upon the whole image. Is there an emotion or word that speaks to you? Are there questions that come to mind?

4. Close your eyes again and rest in God as long as you need to.

6. Close your eyes and rest your eyes briefly.

Visio Divina Eastertide Day 10

Posted on April 23, 2020 by warwickdebra

Good morning, Today I am sending a few images in remembrance of Earth Day (which was yesterday). Choose one if you would like to use it for Visio Divina.

The first is from the United States Geological Survey: Gulf of Mexico, Florida, USA

Source: Qingbao Meng Body Grassland in Yili，Xinjiang，China

Source: Hikersbay @hikersbay sandstone ravine

Source: NASA

Visio Divina Eastertide Day 9

Posted on April 22, 2020 by warwickdebra

“Angels,” Mary Oliver

You might see an angel anytime
and anywhere. Of course you have
to open your eyes to a kind of
second level, but it’s not really
hard. The whole business of
what’s reality and what isn’t has
never been solved and probably
never will be. So I don’t care to
be too definite about anything.
I have a lot of edges called Perhaps
and almost nothing you can call
Certainty. For myself, but not
for other people. That’s a place
you just can’t get into, not
entirely anyway, other people’s
heads. I’ll just leave you with this.
I don’t care how many angels can
dance on the head of a pin. It’s
enough to know that for some people
they exist, and that they dance.

Painting by Edward Robert Hughes “Night with Her Train of Stars and Her Great Gift of Sleep”