Read Hosea 1: 2-6
2 When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, ‘Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.’ 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.
4 Then the Lord said to Hosea, ‘Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.’
6 Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord said to Hosea, ‘Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them.
(New International Version)
Now read it again, slowly (lectio). Ask God to highlight a word or phrase for you to concentrate on.
Stay with your word or phrase (meditatio). You may wish to repeat it silently to yourself. Allow the word to speak to you. You may find the word arouses different emotions in you; let them come. Stay in silence with your word or phrase for a few minutes.
Now, as you feel able, respond to God from what you have experienced (oratio). You may want to express yourself in words; you may want to write or draw something in response; you may want to move or dance to express what you are feeling; you may want to just allow your emotions to express something to God.
Finally, allow yourself to rest in the presence of your Holy, Loving Creator (contemplatio). Stay in silence with whatever you have experienced. Allow God’s love for you to hold you.
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