On a late summer day, in the Italian hillside town of Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI was speaking of springtime.
He was encouraging the ancient practice of lectio divina, which is Latin for “Divine Reading.” This form of prayer includes slowly reading and re-reading a Scripture passage using four steps: reading, meditation/reflection, prayer, and contemplation. He says in his address, “[T]he diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart [ . . . ] this practice will bring to the Church - I am convinced of it - a new spiritual springtime.”
I am all about springtime. As I write, it is a mild winter day and the sun is streaming through the window, giving life to the plants on the ledge and nourishment to my soul. If we weren’t technically smack dab in the middle of the winter season, you’d think it was spring! This turn of the season never fails to lift my spirits and energize my soul. It has that “clean out your closet, shake out the rugs, and open the window” kind of feel to it. It’s a time of literal new life, and therefore, a time of hope.
With Scripture and springtime on my mind, here are a few verses to call to mind this season.
Old Testament Springtime Scriptures
May my teaching soak in like the rain, and my utterance drench like the dew,
Like a downpour upon the grass, like a shower upon the crops.
For I will proclaim the name of the LORD, praise the greatness of our God!
// Deuteronomy 32:2-3
“‘For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come!” // Song of Songs: 2:11-13
Do not fear, O land! delight and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things! Do not fear, you animals in the wild, for the wilderness pastures sprout green grass. The trees bear fruit, the fig tree and the vine produce their harvest. Children of Zion, delight and rejoice in the LORD, your God! For he has faithfully given you the early rain, sending rain down on you, the early and the late rains as before. The threshing floors will be full of grain, the vats spilling over with new wine and oil. // Joel 2:21-24
Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming.
He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth. // Hosea 6:3
New Testament Springtime Scriptures
“Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wildflowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.” // Matthew 6:27-29
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. // James 5:7-9
Just as Benedict the XVI said, the Lord desires to have an “intimate dialogue” with you. God wants to speak with you, and when His message resounds through the witness of your life, you are planting flowers wherever your path may cross.
HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES
God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply.
Susanna Parent is a regular contributor to the BIS blog, speaker and a freelance writer. While a Wisconsin native, she now begins her mornings brewing French press coffee in the home she shares with her husband and children in the Twin Cities. When the sun sets, you’ll find her with friends enjoying a glass of red wine, preferably outside underneath twinkly lights. When not exploring all that the Twin Cities has to offer, she is indulging her wanderlust spirit by brainstorming their family's next new adventure. You can find out more about her here. Read all of Susanna's posts here.
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