Listening Communities 3rd Sunday of Advent
“What page, what passage of the inspired books of the Old and New Testaments is not the truest of guides for human life?”
-rule of St. Benedict, Ch. 73:3
What are Listening Communities about?
They are about praying with the church by reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures.
They are about praying with each other…though “virtually”…and forming a small “listening community” ready to interact with the Word proclaimed and “broken open” on Sunday.
They are about offering the homilist insights into how the Word speaks to members of the St. Mary assembly.
What is “Lectio Divina”?
“Lectio Divina” is Holy Reading. It is a practice of praying with the Word of God, which sometimes consoles, sometimes challenges and always inspires holiness. It is a practice that has sustained the Christian life for centuries and it is a place for real encounters with God in prayer. Generally speaking, there are four steps to this prayer, lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer) and contemplatio (contemplation).
Things to keep in mind and heart:
The Scriptures were written in a very different time and place. Our modern eyes and ears are often baffled by what we encounter in the Word of God. While we can’t know exactly what the author of these ancient texts had in mind, we can prepare ourselves by putting aside as best we can our own particular culture and context.
When approaching the reading, try to come in faith, silence and openness.
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you
he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.
The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
But HOW do I do this?
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to be with you as you read. Then:
Lectio: All three of the Sunday readings are available for your reflection. You may choose just one, or all three. But if you choose more than one you may want to pray with each one at separate times. Read the passage twice through (reading aloud is often helpful). As you read the second time make a mental note of any word or phrase that hits you. Sit with that word or phrase for several minutes, repeating it in your mind.
(Blog Response I: In our “virtual” sharing make a blog response of those words and/or phrases)
Meditatio: Read the passage a third time. Pause in silence for a few moments and reflect on how God might be speaking to you. Is the Word asking something of you? Does the Word challenge you in your relationship with God and with others? Are you comforted or inspired?
(Blog response II: Try to capture the heart of your reflection. This can be stream of consciousness thoughts or a more formal narrative)
Oratio: Read the passage again and after a brief time make a spontaneous response to God in prayer. Is there something you need to say to God? Do you need help? Are you moved to give thanks or seek forgiveness? Each time will be different.
(Blog Response III: What is that “something” I need to say to God)
Contemplatio: Read one last time and rest.
Close with an “Our Father” or some other prayer.
No Comments— Post a comment ↓
subscribe to comments
No comments yet.