Adventus Domini

Advent Faith Formation

Session I

Prayer For Formation: 

 

Day by day, dear Lord, of thee three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day.  

Part I:  Longing for the Coming of the Lord

Watch:  Three Comings of Christ Prepare us for Advent

For Reflection:

What are the three comings of  Christ that Bishop Barron speaks of?

  • How is Christ manifested in each of these comings?
  • What does this help you to know about Christ?  About his mission?

 

In the video, Christianity’s belief that “something happened” in the historical coming of Christ – that in Jesus, God was born into human history-  is emphasized as central in importance for us. 

  • What difference does it make that we believe in the incarnation – the reality that God was born into human history in the person of Jesus?
  • How do you understand the statement: “history reaches a climax in the Cross.”  
  • How is a Christian understanding of the Cross as the climax of of history different from a modern view of history?  How does a a Christian understanding of the climax of history impact your thinking or view of things?  
 
 

Christ “comes now” in the context of the Church: in the Sacraments, in the preaching and teaching, in the lives of the saints.  

  • How do you experience Christ present in your life?  What does it mean that Christ comes as King into your life?  
  • Consider the image of Christ knocking at the door.  Christ desires to be Lord of every aspect of your life.  Where do you hear Christ knocking?  
  • In what way does the realization of Christ’s waiting for the door to open enhance your own sense of anticipation and urgency?  
 
 
To be Christian is to live “in the in-between time.”  Bishop Barron references St. Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians (15:21-28) to characterize the momentum and trajectory of history when he writes that “God will be all in all.”  In Christ,  all the “seeds of meaning and purpose will come to fruition.”  
 
  • Reflect on how the three comings of Christ are united in this image from 1 Corinthians and how we are called to participate in the redemptive work of Christ in the world.
  • How do you understand what “living in the in-between time” means?  How do you experience this within yourself?  In the world around you?
  • The next time you come to Mass listen carefully on how the liturgy itself directs us towards the 2nd Coming of Christ.  How might you enter more fully into “waiting in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”?
 

Part II:  Our need for a Savior

Watch:  Naming What We All Know

For Reflection: 

To truly appreciate the Incarnation, God being born into humanity, we must first connect in a visceral way with our own personal need for a savior. This means facing and holding our own human frailty, our sinfulness, and recognizing that we need God’s mercy and grace.

  • What is your understanding of sin and its affects on your life and on the world?
  • “Midway on our life’s journey, I found myself inn dark woods, the right road lost.”  These first lines from Dante’s Divine Comedy reflect the sense of weariness and loss that can accompany our sense of sin and brokenness.  Yet this experience of discomfort and disconnection may be the needed catalyst to open us to our need for God’s salvation and increase our desire for His mercy.   Reflecting on your own experience, when have there been moments of weariness or dis-ease from having wandered from your life’s path?  How have you been able to lean into those moments and turn toward the Lord for His guidance and light? 
  • How is the longing we are meant to nurture and increase throughout Advent related to an understanding of the season as penitential?
  • What are some of the habits or exercises that help put you in touch with your need and desire for God’s salvation?
  • How might you use the season of Advent to help sharpen the senses to become more aware of your own need and for the world’s need for God’s mercy and grace?  
 
 

Read Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-9.  Consider the images and ideas presented in the text (the path; the hardening of hearts; the anger of God; the tainted reality of sin; God as the Potter and us as the work of His hands)

  • How does each of these evoke a sense of loss and longing?  
  • Which are most helpful in connecting with your longing for a savior?
  • “Midway on our life’s journey, /I found myself inn dark woods, the right road lost.”  These first lines from Dante’s Divine Comedy reflect the sense of weariness and loss that can accompany our sense of sin and brokenness.  Yet this experience of discomfort and disconnection may be the 

Consider the images of a supple and a brittle heart.  

  • At this present time, how is God shaping your heart?
  • What grace are you in need of at this time?  
 

Lord Jesus, I believe in your love for me! Come, Lord Jesus, come!

This concludes the 1st Session of our Advent Faith Formation.  Session Two will be available Sunday, December 10