Blog
Advent Study Group #3
Third Sunday of Advent — December 13, 2020
As a community, we are doing a study of the Sunday Mass Readings to prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord at Christmas. This is something you can do as an individual, a family, or a small group.
There is an a short video to watch each week on FORMED. Here is the information to log in if you don’t yet have an account:
- Visit FORMED.org
- Click Sign Up
- Select “I Belong to a Parish or
Organization” - Find Our Lady of the Lake,
Lake Ozark or type 65049 in
for the zip code. - Enter your email.
For the 3rd Sunday Zoom group, the day has changed to Monday, Dec 7 instead of Tuesday. Time remains at 6 PM. All you need is internet access and audio on your computer or device. Video connection is optional.
Please email or call Kelly Hamrin to find out more or sign up:
573-365-2240 ext. 5 or olloffice2018@sbcglobal.net
Below are buttons for pdf’s of Week 3 to print for your studies:
Advent Study Outline Week 3
Opening prayer: LK 1:46-50, 53-54.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has illed the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, My soul rejoices in my God.
Commitment to Mission
As children of One Heavenly Father,
as brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ
united as a family of faith by the Holy Spirit,
we commit ourselves to the pastoral conversion of our parish.
We gladly accept the work the Lord entrusts to us
as laity and clergy working together in the vineyard.
We resolve to live as faithful stewards of God’s grace
in service of the evangelizing mission of the Church.
Charity and mercy will be the first response
we offer to those we encounter on the Way.
Fidelity to the Truth will light our path.
All to the praise and glory of God
with due honor to Our Blessed Lady of the Lake. Amen.
Introductions
Please state your name and your favorite thing about Advent.
Video – FORMED – Opening the Word
3rd Sunday of Sunday of Advent (Year B)
https://watch.formed.org/opening-the-word-1/season:2/videos/3rd-sunday-of-advent-december-17-2017
Gospel Reading: JN 1:6-8, 19-28
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”
So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”
And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’”as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”
John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Lectio Divina Explanation
Lectio divina is an ancient Catholic prayer method for reading and praying with the Bible. We will be using the format described in the Advent Lectio document.
Lectio – Read the Gospel Aloud and Discuss
What is the context of this reading?
What is John the Baptist trying to express to the people?
What is John the Gospel writer trying to express to the people of his time?
Meditatio – Read the Gospel again; silently answer the questions; then Discuss.
What is God saying to me today in this passage?
What word or passage stands out to me?
Oratio – Read the Gospel silently; then follow the instructions below.
What do I need to say to God? If you are struggling try using the ACTS form of prayer:
Adoration – Praise God’s Wonderfulness
Confession – Tell Him where you have missed the mark
Thanksgiving – Show gratitude for all He has provided
Suppliction – Ask for what you need from Him.
Contemplatio – Read the Gospel silently again; then follow the instructions below
Lord, what conversion of the mind, heart, and life are you asking of me? Listen for His answer.
Actio – Discuss
What can I do with this learned knowledge to bring forth God’s Kingdom?
Final Reflection and Closing Prayer
Second Reading 1 COR 1:3-9
Brothers and sisters:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was conirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you irm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Come, Holy Spirit.
We have seen the Lord, and we want to bring others
to Him who is the Bread of Eternal Life.
Come, O heavenly Light.
Enlighten our minds so that we may know
your Holy Will for our parish.
Come Divine Advocate.
Bring to fulillment the plan you have entrusted to us for bringing the good news of salvation
to those who lack the light of faith.
Come, Divine Consolation.
Grant us the fullness of joy
as we profess, celebrate, live and pray our faith in You. Come, Giver of every Good Gift.
Teach us the way of stewardship,
afirm us in our vocations,
and strengthen our commitment to charity,
that others may come to know, as we know,
the mercy of God Our Father,
and the Truth revealed in Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.