Great Plains Daily Devotional for 3/22/2021

Matthew 21:1-11

When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.

Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!Hosanna in the highest!” And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

We are entering the week where we look to the next Sunday as Palm Sunday.  We have journeyed with Jesus through the Scriptures.  We come to a close on our weekly Lectio Divina spiritual practice. Today’s narrative reminds us of what we are virtually traveling to as we get ready for Holy Week. Pause before entering into Lectio Divina, a divine, sacred reading or intentional sacred listening.
 
The four-fold prayer form deepens our relationship with the sacred words in a way that we can hear God’s message for us today. May you hear a word from the Lord today as you reread the above story in this way of sacred reading.
 

• Lectio means “to read.” Read today’s text aloud slowly 2 or 3 times. Silently ask God to give you a verse, short phrase, or word for the day. Write the verse, short phrase, or word on a piece of paper.
• Meditatio means "to meditate.” Meditate on the text. Write the verse, short phrase, or word for the day in the middle. Let it speak to you, listen for what God might say to you. While you are listening, you can draw. Doodle around the word and write in whatever you hear.
• Oratio means “to speak or pray.” Talk to God in the more traditional way of prayer. Ask God questions like: What do you want me to hear and learn from this word, verse or phrase? Why is it important to me today?
• Contemplatio means “to contemplate.” This is a time to release the verse, phrase, or word along with all of the thoughts and feelings that you have. You may have a huge ah-ha during this time; or nothing may happen, and you may simply rest your body and mind for a few moments.

 

Prayer for Reflection

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 52:1-12
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33