Adventus Domini
Advent Faith Formation
Introduction:
Welcome to Advent! We are pleased to present our Advent Faith Formation Series – Adventus Domini. The focus of our series is Christ, yesterday, today, and always.
The name of the season of Advent comes from the expression Adventus Domini, meaning the “The Coming of the Lord.” Often, we associate this with Christ’s first coming, 2000 years ago, but it actually refers to the coming of the Lord in the past, today and especially at the end of time. The season of Advent is a season filled with anticipation and longing, not just for the celebration of the birth of Christ, which is Christmas, but also for the Lord’s current, future, and final manifestations. We hope that you will find this series illuminating, but more importantly, we pray that it will serve to increase our longing and desire for Christ in all the ways we meet Him.
The content for this series is drawn from various talks and presentations by Bishop Robert Barron and the rich resources of Word on Fire. The series is broken up into three sessions, made available over the first three Sundays of Advent. Session I will introduce the different “comings” of Christ and our longing for him. Bishop Barron examines our need for a savior and invites us to cultivate this need within ourselves. Session II will look at the historical coming of Christ 2000 years ago. Bishop Barron opens up for us the real meaning of Christmas and the extraordinary infant king at its center. Session III will look at what Bishop Barron teaches us in terms of the 2nd Coming of Christ, and the need to wake up from our complacency. Jesus, Himself, is knocking at the door. Finally, we will reflect on why the coming of Christ is a cause for our rejoicing.
For those who may be unfamiliar with faith formation, we invite you to look at as a way of coming to know a good and life-long friend. Far from being an intellectual task, or a “class on Jesus,” faith formation puts us in relationship with the Lord we seek to know. And, as our knowing Him increases, so does our love for him and our desire to follow him. It is an opportunity to look into the eyes of Christ and to see ourselves mirrored back through his merciful gaze. Faith formation is the work not only of the mind, but of the heart.
How to Use this Resource:
The sessions are set up in two parts, each with video content, followed by material and questions for reflection. Here are a few helpful hints on how to use the material:
- set aside some time to spend with the content and for reflection. You might choose to go through the material all in one sitting or break it up over the course of the week.
- Go at your own pace and return to those moments or themes which you find meaningful or thought-provoking and move you into a deeper meditation of Christ
- You might choose to engage the material on your own, as solitary study. You might also like to gather with a friend or small group to share your reflections and questions with others.
- You are encouraged to use the material in a way that works best for you.
- If you have any questions or would like to look further into themes and topics covered, email us at faith.divinemercynl@gmail.com