A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 7, n. 2)
2nd Sunday in Advent, Year B – December 7, 2008 *
“New Heavens and Earth”
BIBLE READINGS
Is 40:1-5, 9-11 // II Pet 3:8-14 // Mk 1:1-8
(N.B. Series 7 of BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD: A LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY LITURGY includes a prayerful study of the Sunday liturgy of Year B from the perspective of the Second Reading. For other reflections on the Sunday liturgy of Year B, please go to the PDDM Web Archives: WWW.PDDM.US and open Series 1 & 4.)
I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS
The beautiful Advent liturgy evokes visions of hope and stokes yearnings for a new creation. In the Old Testament reading (Is 40:1-5, 9-11), Isaiah depicts the radical newness of the messianic age and stirs up longings for the full revelation of divine glory. The proclamation of the imminent advent of a saving God is meant to comfort the suffering and afflicted Jewish captives. The powerful yet tender image of God who comes, both as a powerful conquering hero and a gentle shepherd-king, is for the consolation of the deeply chastised Israel. Isaiah is truly a herald of good tidings for the dejected exiles in Babylon. As an important Advent figure, the stalwart Isaiah is a prophet of newness and fresh beginnings.
The Gospel reading (Mk 1:1-8) depicts another Advent figure and messenger of newness: John the Baptist, the Messiah’s precursor. John appeared in the wilderness, baptizing and preaching, preparing the way for the all-powerful One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Like the Messiah whose advent he was preparing, John was calling for repentance. Repentance is not merely regret for past sins nor rectification of wrongdoings. Repentance involves metanoia – an utter conversion, a change of mind and heart, a new direction of life, a new beginning – a total pursuit of the saving will of God.
In the Second Reading (II Pet 3:8-14), the apostle directs the attention of the pilgrim Advent people to “new heavens and a new earth”. Our destiny is the “new creation” where righteousness resides, but not for those who have set themselves in this world’s corruption. They have erroneously conceived that this passing world is all and everything. Hence, they expect nothing further from God and do not put their trust in him.
Aelred Rosser comments: “The author of this letter is energetically appealing to logic. Peter is asking, ‘Since the world as we know it is going to come to an end, and since we do not know when this will happen’, is it not obvious that we should live in readiness and with devout attention? (…) The second coming is the final phase of the one great divine intervention, which is Jesus Christ. Are you growing impatient for the new heaven and the new earth? The writer tells us we can hasten the coming of this glorious event by leading holy lives. The Jews have a saying that if Israel lived God’s law perfectly for just one day, the kingdom would be restored … We Christians can hasten the second coming of Christ by leading holy lives … Or impatience with ourselves can be a very healthy motivation toward holiness. We become weary and intolerant of weakness and sin only when we forget that in eternity, the will of God to save the world has already been fulfilled and has always been fulfilled.”
The following article, “Five Important Lessons in Life”, circulated through the Internet, gives an idea on how to promote and hasten the advent of the kingdom of God.
First Important Lesson: “Cleaning Lady”
During my second month of college, our professor
gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through
the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the
woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen
the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's,
but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last
question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last
question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely", said the
professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are
significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is
smile and say "hello." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her
name was Dorothy.
Second Important Lesson: “Pickup in the Rain”
One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's' bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole
Third Important Lesson: “Always Remember Those Who Serve”
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much
less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A
waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream
sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy
pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how
much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were
waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five
cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll
have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put
the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid
the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she
wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish were two
nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he
had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
Fourth Important Lesson: “The Obstacle in Our Path”
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Fifth Important Lesson: “Giving When It Counts”
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away". Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood to save her.
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
How does the prophecy of Isaiah impact us? How do we respond to words of hope spoken on our behalf?
How do we respond to John the Baptist’s cry: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths”?
How do we prepare ourselves for “new heavens and the new earth” and how do we hasten the definitive advent of the kingdom of God?
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: Loving Father,
we thank you for the refreshing season of Advent
with its promise of fresh beginnings and newness.
We gratefully welcome your message of hope and consolation,
of peace and reconciliation.
We thank you too for heralds of good news
and all the prophets who prepare the way
for the coming of your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior.
We yearn for salvation
and dream visions of “new heavens and a new earth”.
These are fulfilled in Christ Jesus
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Help us to live holy lives
that we may hasten the advent of your glorious kingdom,
especially in troubled hearts,
in today’s fragmented world and unjust society,
and in convulsed creation that needs integration.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Assembly: Amen.
IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD
The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“We await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (II Pt 3:13)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
ACTION PLAN: Spend some quiet moments contemplating the miracle of “newness” and thanking God for the gift of “new beginnings” in your personal life. By your acts of justice, charity and compassion to the poor and needy, let the people around you experience our promised destiny of “new heavens and a new earth”.
ACTION PLAN: That we may yearn more deeply and work more efficaciously for the advent of the heavenly kingdom and the promise of new creation, make an effort to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the PDDM WEB site (www.pddm.us) for the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR: A Weekly Pastoral Tool (Year B, vol. 5, #2).
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US