Listening Communities 2nd 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 a 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.
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
Second Sunday of Advent – Readings
Reading 1
Bar 5:1-9
Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
bear on your head the mitre
that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
you will be named by God forever
the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
but God will bring them back to you
borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
be filled to level ground,
that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
by the light of his glory,
with his mercy and justice for company.
Brothers and sisters:
I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,
because of your partnership for the gospel
from the first day until now.
I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work in you
will continue to complete it
until the day of Christ Jesus.
God is my witness,
how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may increase ever more and more
in knowledge and every kind of perception,
to discern what is of value,
so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region
of Ituraea and Trachonitis,
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Now, respond according to the instructions.
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