Maundy Thursday Lectio Divina with Poetry
When I cam across this poem by Mary Oliver, found in the pages of the book ‘Devotions’ which sits in the select stack of books by my bedside, I knew it would become a feature of my own Holy Week practices, as well be featured throughout the season during sessions of Spiritual Direction.
The poem quickly became a favourite as it brought God’s incredible creation into the narrative at the garden at Gethsemane. As I’ve been going through the 19th Annotation (the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius over 32 weeks), all of creation— from the atoms to the ants, the distant stars and melting snowflakes, the seen elements and the unseen energy— all respond to Christ.
It’s the idea of the world bearing witness to Christ during a time of such pain and suffering that continued on in my experience of scripture as I continued the exercises through the murder and resurrection of Jesus. Before we arrive at these parts, we find ourselves in the garden…
As you engage in Maundy Thursday, perhaps this Lectio Divina practice with the poem titled ‘Gethsemane’ can add a new depth, spin, or contemplative gaze to your day.
Movement 1 - Silencio - Quiet preparation of the heart.
Find a comfortable seat, silence the noise around you. Slow down. Pray to God releasing tension and anything filling your mind into God’s hands. Acknowledge the Loving Presence of God meeting you right here, in the place where you are. This is a great space to close your eyes, breathe and allow yourself to become present right here, right now.
Movement 2 - Lectio - Read.
Read the poem below slowly. Slower than you’d probably like to. Read it out loud if you can. Linger on words, let them drip out of your mouth slowly like honey dripping from a spoon. If a word or phrase catches your attention, stop for a moment and simply savour the moment of allowing the Spirit to stir your attention. Enjoy this moment.
Gethsemane
By Mary Oliver
The grass never sleeps.
Or the roses.
Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning.
Jesus said, wait with me. But the disciples slept.
The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet,
and it sings, have you noticed, with its whole body,
and heaven knows if it ever sleeps.
Jesus said, wait with me. And maybe the stars did, maybe
the wind wound itself into a silver tree, and didn’t move,
maybe
the lake far away, where once he walked as on a
blue pavement,
lay still and waited, wild awake.
Oh the dear bodies, slumped and eye-shut, that could not
keep that vigil, how they must have wept,
so utterly human, knowing this too
must be a part of the story.
Movement 3 - Mediatio - Meditate.
Read the poem again. Outloud if you can. And, once more, savour the words you are reading as you read through slowly. Listen for an invitation God may be bringing forward to you through the words. Maybe something stands out again, maybe something is stirring in your heart. As things begin to light up to you, explore the invitation.
Gethsemane
By Mary Oliver
The grass never sleeps.
Or the roses.
Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning.
Jesus said, wait with me. But the disciples slept.
The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet,
and it sings, have you noticed, with its whole body,
and heaven knows if it ever sleeps.
Jesus said, wait with me. And maybe the stars did, maybe
the wind wound itself into a silver tree, and didn’t move,
maybe
the lake far away, where once he walked as on a
blue pavement,
lay still and waited, wild awake.
Oh the dear bodies, slumped and eye-shut, that could not
keep that vigil, how they must have wept,
so utterly human, knowing this too
must be a part of the story.
Movement 4 - Oratio - Respond + Pray.
Read the poem for the third and final time. Now you can enter into a personal dialogue with God. Notice what God might be saying through the poem and respond truthfully and authentically. What do you feel after reading? Where do you feel tension or peace? What words cultivated that inside of you? Talk to God about what is coming up for you in prayer.
Gethsemane
By Mary Oliver
The grass never sleeps.
Or the roses.
Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning.
Jesus said, wait with me. But the disciples slept.
The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet,
and it sings, have you noticed, with its whole body,
and heaven knows if it ever sleeps.
Jesus said, wait with me. And maybe the stars did, maybe
the wind wound itself into a silver tree, and didn’t move,
maybe
the lake far away, where once he walked as on a
blue pavement,
lay still and waited, wild awake.
Oh the dear bodies, slumped and eye-shut, that could not
keep that vigil, how they must have wept,
so utterly human, knowing this too
must be a part of the story.
Movement 5 - Contemplatio - Contemplation.
Rest in the beautiful, Loving Presence of God. Allow yourself time to sit and let what you’ve experienced sink in. If you’d like, you can turn what stood out to you most or perhaps what a take away from the practice was with you as a breath prayer for the day, you could journal your response, or you could just enjoy some silent moments sitting with God. Take at least 10 deep breaths here practicing contemplation enjoying the presence of God.
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Want to learn more about Lectio Divina? Click HERE.
Looking for more Easter resources? Click HERE.