L. Moco

(Originally published April 18, 2012) When I was blessed with the opportunity to serve at Trinity Fellowship as their interim pastor, I used to take a day during the week to prepare my heart and mind to hear from the Lord concerning ministry, and the sermon for Sunday, and such. This was a work day spent listening and praying. I used other activities to help keep me focused on what I was there for. I would chop wood and pray. I would walk and read. I would cycle and listen. The point was not the chopping or the walking, but those activities got my body out of the way doing something else, and allowed my mind to focus, and my spirit to hear.

A few days ago, I came across a web site dealing with the neo-monastistic practice of Lectio Divina (It is actually an extremely old practice of reading the scriptures). Lectio Divina is the process of Lectio (Reading the Word), Meditatio (Meditating about the Word), Oratio (Praying the Word to God), Contemplatio (Listening for God's response to your Prayer), and Operatio (Acting in accordance with God's response).

I am calling l. Moco. I like l.Moco because it reminds me of 1) The way we label our amino acids. Amino acids are essential organic compounds used as the building blocks of protein and extremely vital for nutrition sake, and 2) the Moco reminds me of Ta Moko. The body and facial tattoos worn traditionally by the Maori of New Zealand to signify the transition from childhood to adulthood.

L.Moco to me is the essential building blocks of a life in Christ that has transitioning into maturity. Wednesday was my day of l.Moco back at Trinity, even before I was calling it l.Moco. I had gotten away from it, and my life suffered because of it. Now I want to return to it. l.Moco was good for me, my family, and my ministry. I believe its benefit holds true in the life of all believers.

Today is my l.Moco, and as I prepare my heart and mind for the third Sunday of Pascha, I am reading 1 John 3.

God Bless you.

Domine dirige nos.

Damian