Infinitum Lent JourneySample

Today we consider Surrender & Me in the context of Lent.

We will engage in some ‘divine reading’ (Lectio Divina). This is our Infinitum take on the old discipline of ‘divine reading.’ Remember that we are gazing through the lens of Surrender & Me.

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 our text (John 12:1-11 VOICE):

“Six days before the Passover feast, Jesus journeyed to the village of Bethany, to the home of Lazarus who had recently been raised from the dead, 2 where they hosted him for dinner. Martha was busy serving as the hostess, Lazarus reclined at the table with him, 3 and Mary took a pound of fine ointment, pure nard (which is both rare and expensive), and anointed Jesus’ feet with it; and then she wiped them with her hair. As the pleasant fragrance of this extravagant ointment filled the entire house, 4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (who was plotting to betray Jesus), began to speak.

Judas Iscariot: 5 How could she pour out this vast amount of fine oil? Why didn’t she sell it? It is worth nearly a year’s wages; the money could have been given to the poor.

6 This had nothing to do with Judas’s desire to help the poor. The truth is he served as the treasurer, and he helped himself to the money from the common pot at every opportunity.

Jesus: 7 Leave her alone. She has observed this custom in anticipation of the day of my burial. 8 The poor are ever present, but I will be leaving.

9 Word spread of Jesus’ presence, and a large crowd was gathering to see Jesus and the formerly deceased Lazarus, whom he had brought back from the dead. 10 The chief priests were secretly plotting Lazarus’s murder since, 11 because of him, many Jews were leaving their teachings and believing in Jesus.”

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 · 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 has 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).