a service of the Vanderbilt Divinity School Library:
Friday, November 25, 2022
Lectionary Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A, December 4, 2022
Group Lectio for the Beginning of Advent
Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading) Procedure
1st reading: Read: Listen for the overall sense of the passage. Share a word or phrase that seems to “light up” or makes the passage come alive for you.
2nd reading: Reflect-. What most captures your attention as you listen? Reflect what message or question from God you are hearing that the passages are building for you
3rd reading: Respond- Listen and respond: What are you moved to say to God in response to the message or question you are hearing? Share a specific prayer of intention, thanksgiving, or concern that rises within you.
Silence: Rest in God-Quiet "the self" to make room to listen to God speaking in your heart, beyond words.
Matthew 3:1-12
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" 4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
Lord's Prayer (recited together)
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Closing Prayer (leader)
- Laboring God,
with axe and winnowing fork
you clear a holy space
where hurt and destruction have no place,
and a little child holds sway.
Clear our lives of hatred and despair,
sow seeds of joy and peace,
that shoots of hope may spring forth
and we may live in harmony
with one another. Amen.
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Thanksgiving Week Group Lectio
Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading) Procedure
1st reading: Reflect- Listen for the overall sense of the passage. What most captures your attention as you listen? Share a word or phrase that seems to “light up” or makes the passage come alive for you. Reflect what message or question from God you are hearing that the passages are building for you
2nd reading: Respond- Listen and respond: What are you moved to say to God in response to the message or question you are hearing? Share a specific prayer of intention, thanksgiving, or concern that rises within you.
3rd reading: Rest in God: Listen in silence, quieting the self to make room for God’s presence and action within your heart, mind, and body.
Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Horses - Philippians 4: 4-9
DANCING FOR JOY AND WALKING IN PEACE
4 Always dance with joy before our Honored Chief ! I will say it again : dance with joy !
5 Let everyone see how kind and thoughtful you are. Our Honored Chief is close at hand.
6 Do not let your hearts be weighed down with anything. Instead, with every step you take, send your voice to the Great Spirit, asking him for the things you need. And in all your prayers remember to give him thanks .
7 Then the peace and harmony of the Great Spirit, which goes far beyond our small and weak ways of thinking, will watch over your hearts and minds through the Chosen One, Creator Sets Free (Jesus).
8 Last of all , my sacred family members , if anything can be seen as good and honorable , think deeply about these things . Things that are true and noble , upright and pure , full of beauty and worthy of respect.
9 Follow the way of life you have seen in me , the things you have learned from me , heard from me , and received from me . Keep walking in the traditions I have passed on to you . Then the Great Spirit of Peace will continue to walk with you on this road
Lord's Prayer (Together)
When you send your voice to the Great Spirit, here is how you should pray:
“O Great Spirit, our Father from above, we honor your name as sacred and holy. 10 “Bring your good road to us, where the beauty of your ways in the spirit-world above is reflected in the earth below. 11 “Provide for us day by day—the elk, the buffalo, and the salmon. The corn, the squash, and the wild rice. All the things we need for each day. 12 “Release us from the things we have done wrong, in the same way we release others for the things done wrong to us. 13 “Guide us away from the things that tempt us to stray from your good road, and set us free from the evil one and his worthless ways.
Aho! May it be so!
Closing Prayer
- Generous God,
you brought us into the abundance of our inheritance.
Grant us the faith to be people
blossoming with honor and truth,
so that we may produce bountifully
the first fruits of justice and compassion,
which are pleasing in your sight. Amen.
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Lectio Divina Monday, 11/14/22- Luke 23:33-43 - Reign of Christ
Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading) Procedure
1st reading: Reflect- Listen for the overall
sense of the passage. What most captures your attention as you listen? Share a
word or phrase that seems to “light up” or makes the passage come alive for
you. Reflect what message or question from God you are hearing that the passages
are building for you
2nd reading: Respond- Listen and respond: What are you
moved to say to God in response to the message or question you are hearing?
Share a specific prayer of intention, thanksgiving, or concern that rises
within you.
3rd reading: Rest in God:
Listen in silence, quieting the self to make room for God’s presence and action
within your heart, mind, and body.
First Nations
Version
33 When they came to the place called “The Skull,” they nailed the hands and feet of Creator Sets Free (Jesus) to a tree-pole—the cross. They did the same for the two criminals, putting one on each side of him. 34 “Father, forgive them!” Creator Sets Free (Jesus) cried out. “They do not know what they are doing.” The soldiers divided up his garments and gambled for them by drawing straws.59 35 The people watched as the spiritual leaders mocked him. “He set others free,” they said, “why can he not free himself, if he is Creator’s Chosen One?”
36 The soldiers offered Creator Sets Free (Jesus) wine mixed with bitter herbs 37 and mocked him. “If you are the Great Chief of the tribes,” they laughed, “then set yourself free.” 38 Above his head, carved above the crossbeam, were these words in three languages: THIS IS THE CHIEF OF THE TRIBES OF WRESTLES WITH CREATOR 39 One of the thieves next to him spewed out angry words, “If you are the Chosen One, save yourself and us!” 40 Then the other thief spoke up and said, “Have you no fear or respect for the Great Spirit? 41 We are guilty and suffering for our own wrongdoings, but this man has done nothing wrong!”
42 The man turned to Creator Sets Free (Jesus) and said to him, “Honored One, remember me when you come into the power of your good road.” 43 Creator Sets Free (Jesus) looked at the man and said, “Listen closely, before the sun sets today, you will walk with me in the beautiful garden.”60
M. Wildman, Terry. First Nations Version (p. 160). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Lord's Prayer (Together)
THE WAY TO PRAY
9 “Instead, when you send your voice to the Great Spirit, here is how you should pray:
“O Great Spirit, our Father from above, we honor your name as sacred and holy. 10 “Bring your good road to us, where the beauty of your ways in the spirit-world above is reflected in the earth below. 11 “Provide for us day by day—the elk, the buffalo, and the salmon. The corn, the squash, and the wild rice. All the things we need for each day. 12 “Release us from the things we have done wrong, in the same way we release others for the things done wrong to us. 13 “Guide us away from the things that tempt us to stray from your good road, and set us free from the evil one and his worthless ways.
Aho! May it be so!
Closing Prayer
Shepherd of Israel, hear our prayer as your Son heard
the plea of the criminal crucified with him. Gather into Christ's holy reign
the broken, the sorrowing, and the sinner,
that all may know wholeness, joy, and forgiveness. Amen.
Friday, November 11, 2022
Lectionary Excerpts for Sunday, November 20, The Reign of Christ
Jeremiah 23:3-6
3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD. 5 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."
Psalm 46
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah8 Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Colossians 1:13-20
13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
First Nations Version: Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Giants -
13 The Giver of Life has set us free from the dark ruler of this world . He has brought us safely onto his good road to walk it together with Creator’s much - loved Son . 14 He is the one who paid a great price to release us from our bad hearts and broken ways . 15He is the visible representation of our invisible Creator . All that the Father has belongs to this Son . He existed before creation and is above all created things . 16 For it was in him that all things in the spirit - world above and on the earth below were created , all things seen and unseen . Yes , even governments , rulers , powers , and authorities were all created by him and for him .
Luke 1:76-79 76
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
First Nations Version: "Shining Light Tells the Good Story"
72 - 73 “ He has given to us the same pity he has shown our ancestors and remembered the promise he made in the great peace treaty with Father of Many Nations ( Abraham ) . 74 - 75He has come to free us from the fear of our enemies , so we can walk all our days in his sacred and right ways . ” Then he turned to his newborn son , and from deep in his spirit he spoke these words of blessing to him . 76 “ And you , my son , will be a prophet from the One Above Us All . You will make a clear path for the coming of the Great Chief , 77to show his people that he will heal our broken ways by cleansing us from our bad hearts and releasing us from our wrongdoings . 78Because Creator is kind and gentle , he will come to us as the sunrise from above , 79to shine on the ones who sit in darkness and in the land of death’s shadow , to guide our feet on the good path of peace . ”
Closing Prayers
- A. Shepherd of Israel, hear our prayer as your Son heard the plea of the criminal crucified with him.
Gather into Christ's holy reign the broken, the sorrowing, and the sinner,
that all may know wholeness, joy, and forgiveness. Amen. - B. Holy God, our refuge and strength, you have redeemed your scattered children,
gathering them from all the corners of the earth through your firstborn, the Christ,
in whom all things are held together.Make of us a just and righteous people,
worthy by grace to inherit with him the kingdom of light and peace
where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen. - C. As the shepherd who cares for the flock, O God, you guide all things through Jesus
whom you have exalted over all creation as king.We pray in Jesus' for name
for the creation he cherished and that you entrust to us.:
Look upon your people who rejoice in your justice and mercy
First Nations Version of the New Testament
In honoring national Native American month during November, we have added The First Nations Version of the New Testament ( learn more here) to our practice of Sacred Reading. We read the First Nations translation of the Gospel reading identified in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Sunday to come.
This shift in perspective supports many of the core values of our shared sacred reading practice, including openness to newness and questions, accessibility, diversity, and a sense of welcoming inclusion. The contrasts of word choice, tone, and style to our more traditional translations can open our hearts and minds to the many layered meanings of God’s Word, a living, resonant Word whose continuously unfolding mystery is never exhausted or controlled by human language. It is also a gift to be connected to and to learn from an indigenous spirituality, so needed for the healing of our culture and of the earth itself
Scriptural Invitations to “Listen with the Heart”
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3: 10)
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”(Luke 24:32)
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19: 14)
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
Introduction to Sacred Reading
The Prayer of Sacred Reading: Listening and Responding to God’s Word
A Collaborative Ministry of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Holden, Massachusetts and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Jericho, Vermont
The practice of sacred reading, sometimes called “listening with the heart,” is a way of praying with scripture based on the ancient tradition of Lectio Divina. It is not an analytical or dogmatic “bible study,” but rather a meditative sharing of feelings, observations, personal meanings and, ultimately, responses, to the voice of the Living God we encounter in the Word.
In the spirit of Christ and in the explicit commitment of both congregations, all people are truly welcome to this prayerful encounter with scripture wherever they may be in their faith journeys. We do not debate interpretations or assert dogmatic positions, we simply listen to the Word of God and to each other with open hearts and open minds, in a non-judging way. A participant is never called upon or required to share, nor are a person’s questions, difficulties or ideas challenged or criticized. Presence, kindness and connection are our central values and intentions.
Group Lectio, November 7, 2022
Group Lectio- Luke 21:5-9
1st reading : Reflect- Listen for the overall sense of the passage. What most captures your attention as you listen? Share a word or phrase that seems to “light up” or makes the passage come alive for you. Reflect what message or question from God you are hearing that the passages are building for you
2nd reading : Respond- Listen and respond: What are you moved to say to to God in response to the message or question you are hearing? Share a specific prayer of intention, thanksgiving, or concern that rises within you.
3rd reading: Rest in God: Listen in silence, quieting the self to make room for God’s presence and action within your heart, mind, and body.
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down." 7 They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" 8 And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them. 9 "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately."
Closing Prayer
O God, in Christ you give us hope
for a new heaven and a new earth.Grant us wisdom to interpret the signs of our times, courage to stand in the time of trial,and faith to witness to your truth and love. Amen.
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