Preparing for Christ (Advent Cycle A)

Commentary by Cindy Morales, Videos presented by Fr. Mitch Pacwa

4 Lessons

Leader Pack contains: 1 Study Guide and Group Streaming.  Answers are at the back of each Study Guide.

Join us this Advent as we take 4 weeks to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ! Are we ready for the King? Are our hearts ready to receive our Savior? The four weeks leading up to Christmas mark the beginning of the Western Church's liturgical year. Advent is our time for reflection, meditation and preparation. 

This year the Sunday gospel readings at Mass come from the Gospel of Matthew.  Our engagement with this gospel, woven with other parts of Scripture, like Isaiah, Romans, and James creates a beautiful tapestry of prepared anticipation for the Christ Child coming to the world and into our hearts.

This study follows the Catholic Scripture Study format but concentrates on the Sunday lectionary readings and incorporates the ancient method of Lectio Divina (praying the scriptures). Lectio Divina is a powerful way to ‘hear’ God speaking to us personally through scripture.

To prepare, each participant reads the Sunday readings along with the "Points to Ponder" commentary, answers the Study Questions & Questions for Reflection and "prays the scriptures".

Our four lesson topics are:

1. “Wake Up! Get Ready!”
2. The King and His Kingdom
3. Rejoice in the Lord!
4. The Incarnate Word

Added elements: Catechism Connections, Rome to Home and Voices of the Saints.