Advent Grace E-Book

Daughters of St Paul

• Herausgeber: anna ruggieri
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

In this daily Advent companion, members of the Daughters of St. Paul share their reflections and lead readers in lectio divina on the Scripture readings for the season. Includes reflections for the Octave of Christmas. Perfect for all those who value daily devotional reading, the meditations are brief and powerful.

They will give enlightenment to those who are proficient in this practice and encouragement to anyone just beginning. For those who desire to grow in appreciation of the Advent and Christmas liturgical seasons, Advent Christmas Grace will provide a refreshing way to treasure the word of God anew.

Leseprobe

ADVENT CHRISTMAS GRACE

Daily Gospel Reflections

the Daughters of Saint Paul

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Advent Christmas grace : daily gospel reflections / [compiled] by the Daughters of St. Paul.

1 online resource.

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

ISBN 978-0-8198-0842-4 (epub) -- ISBN 978-0-8198-0843-1 (mobi) --ISBN 978-0-8198-0844-8 ( pdf) -- ISBN 978-0-8198-0841-7 (pbk.)

1. Bible. Gospels--Devotional literature. 2. Advent--Prayers and devotions. 3. Christmas--Prayers and devotions. 4. Epiphany--Prayers and devotions. 5. Catholic Church--Prayers and devotions. 6. Catholic Church. Lectionary for Mass (U.S.) I. Daughters of St. Paul.

BS2555.54

242'.332--dc23

2015018131

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Cover design by Rosana Usselmann

Cover photo by Mary Emmanual Alves, FSP

Interior photos: p. 4, Jack Hazut/[email protected]; p. 82, Mary Emmanuel Alves, FSP

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

“P” and PAULINE are registered trademarks of the Daughters of St. Paul.

Copyright © 2015, Daughters of St. Paul

Published by Pauline Books & Media, 50 Saint Paul’s Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3491

Printed in the U.S.A.

www.pauline.org

Pauline Books & Media is the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of women religious serving the Church with the communications media.

Contents

How to Use This Book

Liturgical Calendar

First Week of Advent

December 8 — Immaculate Conception

Second Week of Advent

Third Week of Advent

Sunday of the Fourth Week of Advent

December 17 to December 24

December 17

December 18

December 19

December 20

December 21

December 22

December 23

December 24 — Mass in the Morning

December 25 — Christmas Midnight Mass

The Octave of Christmas

December 26 — Saint Stephen

December 27 — Saint John the Evangelist

December 28 — Holy Innocents

December 29

December 30

December 31

Holy Family — Sunday in the Octave of Christmas

January 1 — Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Before Epiphany

January 2 — before Epiphany

January 3 — if before Epiphany

January 4 — if before Epiphany

January 5 — if before Epiphany

January 6 — if before Epiphany

January 7 — if before Epiphany

Epiphany

After Epiphany

Monday after Epiphany — or January 7

Tuesday after Epiphany — or January 8

Wednesday after Epiphany — or January 9

Thursday after Epiphany — or January 10

Friday after Epiphany — or January 11

Saturday after Epiphany — or January 12

Baptism of the Lord

List of Contributors

How to Use This Book

Come, Lord Jesus!

Advent is the short and appealing liturgical season that helps us prepare for Christmas. Its spirit of expectation and eager waiting evokes in our hearts a desire for Christ’s coming in grace. In this book, members of the Daughters of St. Paul share their reflections on the Gospel readings for the Advent and Christmas seasons, which concludes with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Our Founder, Blessed James Alberione, encouraged everyone to “take delight in the Gospel.” In the liturgy, the Church presents passages from the Gospel for us to ponder and pray over, encouraging us to look into our hearts and the heart of the God who comes.

These pages are based on Lectio Divina (holy reading), which is a way of praying with Scripture. Many methods of doing this have developed since the time of early monasticism. Here, the sisters use a simple framework that allows the Word of God to make room in our minds and hearts

The first step, Lectio (reading), is to read the day’s Gospel passage from a missal or Bible. Read it a few times slowly, perhaps especially noticing the phrase or verse that is listed under the Meditatio section.

Next, the Meditatio (meditation) expands the meaning of a phrase from the passage and explores what it is saying to us today—what God asks of us, or challenges us with, or offers to us. After reading the meditation, take as much time as you wish to reflect on it.

The Oratio (prayer) can help you talk to God about what has arisen in your heart, so that the time of prayer becomes a conversation, not just a time to think. God has spoken in the Scripture. We hear the invitation in our meditation, but now a response is called for. Our response is not just to say, “Yes, I want to do as you are asking me,” but also to say, “Help me do it, Lord!”

The short line under Contemplatio (contemplation) is a way of extending this time of prayer into life. You can silently repeat the line throughout the day to help deepen the intimacy with the Lord that you experienced in prayer.

May your Advent and Christmas be grace-filled and abundantly blessed!

Liturgical Calendar

Note to the reader: Advent begins four Sundays before December 25. The first Sunday of Advent begins the Church’s liturgical year. The readings are assigned for the weekdays of Advent by week and day (e.g., Tuesday of the Second Week). A special series of readings begins on December 17. The Sunday readings follow a three-year cycle (A, B, or C) as indicated in the chart below. Before Epiphany, the weekday readings are assigned by date, beginning on January 2. In the United States and Canada, Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. After Epiphany, the readings are assigned by day of the week (eg. Monday after Epiphany). However in places where Epiphany is still celebrated on January 6, the readings for the days after it are given by date (eg. January 7 through 12).

YEAR

CYCLE

2016

Cycle C

2017

Cycle A

2018

Cycle B

2019

Cycle C

2020

Cycle A

2021

Cycle B

2022

Cycle C

2023

Cycle A

During Advent, we long for the coming of the awaited Messiah—in Bethlehem, at the end of time, and in each human heart ...

Sunday of the First Week of Advent — A

Lectio

Matthew 24:37–44

Meditatio

“... your Lord ...”

This startling reading from Matthew certainly gets our attention. It alerts us that this first day of Advent ushers us into an entirely new season. The liturgy warns: Pay attention! Stay awake! When they least expect it, chaotic events upset people’s lives, with dire consequences: “one will be taken, and one will be left.” But what can it mean? Jesus exhorts us again and again: Stay awake! Be prepared! You do not know the hour! The warnings may alarm us, but they are meant to prepare us for the coming of Christ.

References to Noah and the flood unsettle me. Had I been there, would I have believed Noah? If I had been among the women grinding at the mill, would I have been taken or left? Then Jesus speaks of a burglar, noting that the owner of a house would prevent a robbery if he knew when it would happen. What do all these references have to do with me? Chapter 24 is about the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus. Jesus is coming again! That is why we must stay awake.

This Gospel reminds me of the wise and foolish virgins with their oil lamps. They all fall asleep. That somehow makes me feel better. When I am really sleepy I can hardly keep my eyes open! But some virgins are better prepared than the others. Although all the virgins fall asleep, the wise virgins had anticipated a long wait and had brought extra oil. And they are ready with their lighted lamps to welcome the bridegroom when he finally arrives.

Today’s text includes a subtle word that makes this reading much more personal and offers us hope: “For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Your Lord. You are my Lord, Jesus, our Lord. You are no stranger, no uncaring, unfamiliar master. You are my Lord and my God. I too want to be present, Jesus, waiting for you: awake and ready anytime you want to approach me.

Oratio

Jesus, it is no thief or burglar who is breaking in; it is you. You study the fortress I’ve built around myself, scanning my ramparts for that one fatal flaw. Be that thief in the night and come! Burgle me, Lord! Break through the walls. You are my Lord and my Savior and desire only my good. I want nothing between us, nothing to separate us, especially the defenses I have built up over the years. Jesus, break through them and allow me to really know you.

Contemplatio

Jesus, you are my Lord and my Savior.

Sunday of the First Week of Advent — B

Lectio

Mark 13:33–37

Meditatio

“Watch!”

Today Advent begins with the repeated cry: “Watch!” This word appears four times in today’s Gospel. Jesus doesn’t simply say, “Wait for me to come.” Rather, he wants us to actively anticipate his return, to prepare everything to celebrate his arrival!

Perhaps we find ourselves torn between two responses to this command of the Lord. Perhaps lately we have been indifferent toward spiritual realities, worn down by the endless activities and worries that fill our hearts and haunt our thoughts. Jesus’ “Watch!” gently nudges us from our tired sleep and rekindles our enthusiasm in our walk with the Lord. On the other hand, with fewer than thirty “shopping days ’til Christmas,” we may dread the endless check-out lines, traffic snarls, unpredictable weather, and preparations for Christmas parties and gifts. Jesus’ invitation to “Watch!” reassures us: he asks only for a childlike excitement about his love for us that gives our lives meaning.

Advent is a time to check our spiritual eyesight. To what degree are we watching and waiting? Do we have 20/20 vision? How excited are we?

To prepare for Christmas you may make lists, schedules, menus, and plans. Today, take a moment to write down some concrete spiritual plans as you watch for the coming of the Lord. Advent is a time for envisioning change. What is your image of a deeply Christ-filled life? Choose two concrete changes in your life that would make you excited and give more meaning to your following of the Lord. Get your vision down to a concrete plan by answering the five basic questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Each Advent morning, watch for the Lord by rereading your plan, preparing for the day ahead. Watch for just one day at a time; Jesus will come not only upon his return at the end of time, but he will also come today ... not just once, but many times. If you watch you will be surprised at how often he is here!

Oratio

Jesus, Advent is such a lovely time. I’m getting excited that this year it could be different for me. Help me keep the excitement of a child in the midst of the hustle and bustle. Give me the eyes to see you every time you walk into my life. Amen.

Contemplatio

Jesus, I am watching!