Divine Wine: The Process of Lectio Divina(Reading the Scriptures) is like making and enjoying Fine Wine

Created with assistance from ChatGPT from Open AI. Prompt by human author. Text created through AI. Images created with Microsoft Copilot AI/ Microsoft Designer. Idea for Prompt from Praying Scripture for a Change: Introduction to Lectio Divina by Tim Gray

Dear beloved congregation,

Today, let us embark on a spiritual journey reminiscent of the ancient craft of winemaking, where the sacred art of Lectio Divina intertwines with the process of cultivating fine wine. Just as a vintner tends to the vineyard with care and attention, so too must we nurture our souls through the divine practice of Lectio Divina.

Firstly, imagine the vineyard, lush with rows of grapevines laden with ripe fruit. In our spiritual landscape, the Scriptures are akin to these precious grapes, waiting to be harvested. As we engage in the first step of Lectio Divina—Lectio, or reading—we pluck the ripest passages, selecting those that speak to our hearts and minds. Just as a vintner carefully selects the choicest grapes, we choose the most resonant passages, knowing that each holds the potential to yield a rich spiritual vintage.

Moving forward, let us embrace the second step of Lectio Divina—Meditatio, or meditation—wherein we press the grapes, extracting their essence. In this stage, we squeeze out the juice of the Scriptures, pondering their meaning and significance. Much like the vintner who presses the grapes to release their sweet nectar, we allow the words of Scripture to penetrate our souls, drawing forth their wisdom and truth.

Next, we enter into the third stage of Lectio Divina—Oratio, or prayer—where the juice of the Scriptures begins its transformation. Here, we offer our prayers to God, surrendering ourselves to the process of fermentation. Just as the vintner entrusts the grape juice to the yeast, so too do we surrender to the transformative power of prayer, allowing it to work within us, shaping us into vessels of divine grace.

Finally, we arrive at the culmination of our journey—the stage of Contemplatio, or contemplation—where we taste and see the goodness of the Lord. As the fermented juice matures into fine wine, so too do our souls mature in their understanding and communion with the Divine. In this sacred moment of contemplation, we savor the fruits of our labor, experiencing the fullness of God's presence in our lives.

Dear friends, let us embrace the divine alchemy of Lectio Divina, allowing the Scriptures to guide us on a journey of spiritual transformation. May we be like the vintner, tending to the vineyard of our souls with care and devotion, cultivating a rich and bountiful harvest of spiritual wisdom and understanding. And may we always remember to taste and see the goodness of the Lord, in every word, every prayer, and every contemplative moment. Amen.