Magnificat® United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2023-2024 OF THE for the Liturgical Year LECTIO DIVINA GOSPELS
Lectio Divina on the Gospels Copyright © 2023, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-copying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder. Excerpts from the New American Bible, revised edition, copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc. Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition, copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal, Third Edition © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL), Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Epigraph quote taken from Guigo II, The Ladder of Monks and Twelve Meditations. Trans. Edmund Colledge, O.S.A., and James Walsh, S.J. (Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, Inc., 1981 [Cisterician Studies no. 48]), 68-69. ISBN: 978-1-63967-083-3 Copyright © 2023, Magnificat Inc, New York. All rights reserved.
Lectio Divina of the Gospels for the Liturgical Year 2023–2024 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
4 Contents What Is Lectio Divina and How to Use This Book. 10 December 3, 2023 Lectio Divina for the First Week of Advent 15 December 8, 2023 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 19 December 10, 2023 Lectio Divina for the Second Week of Advent 23 December 17, 2023 Lectio Divina for the Third Week of Advent 27 December 24, 2023 Lectio Divina for the Fourth Week of Advent 31 December 25, 2023 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of Christmas 35 December 31, 2023 Lectio Divina for the Feast of the Holy Family 39 January 1, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 44 January 7, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Epiphany 48 January 14, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Second Week in Ordinary Time 53 January 21, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Third Week in Ordinary Time 57 January 28, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 61 February 4, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time 65 February 11, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time 69
Contents 5 February 14, 2024 Lectio Divina for Ash Wednesday 73 February 18, 2024 Lectio Divina for the First Week of Lent 78 February 25, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Second Week of Lent 82 March 3, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Third Week of Lent 86 March 10, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Fourth Week of Lent 91 March 17, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Fifth Week of Lent 95 March 24, 2024 Lectio Divina for Holy Week 99 March 28-30, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Paschal Triduum 104 March 31, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Octave of Easter 108 April 7, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Second Week of Easter 112 April 14, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Third Week of Easter 117 April 21, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Fourth Week of Easter 121 April 28, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Fifth Week of Easter 125 May 5, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Sixth Week of Easter 129 May 9, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Ascension 133
Contents 6 May 12, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Seventh Week of Easter 137 May 19, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of Pentecost 141 May 26, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity 145 June 2, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) 149 June 7, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart 153 June 9, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time 157 June 16, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time 162 June 23, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time 166 June 30, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time 170 July 7, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time 175 July 14, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time 179 July 21, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time 183 July 28, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time 187 August 4, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time 191 August 11, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time 195
Contents 7 August 15, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Assumption 199 August 18, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time 204 August 25, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time 208 September 1, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time 213 September 8, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time 217 September 15, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 221 September 22, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time 225 September 29, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time 229 October 6, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time 234 October 13, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time 239 October 20, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time 243 October 27, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time 247 November 1, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of All Saints 251 November 3, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time 255 November 10, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time 259
Contents 8 November 17, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time 263 November 24, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 267
Contents Reading seeks for the sweetness of a blessed life, meditation perceives it, prayer asks for it, contemplation tastes it. Reading, as it were, puts food whole into the mouth, meditation chews it and breaks it up, prayer extracts its flavor, contemplation is the sweetness itself which gladdens and refreshes. Reading works on the outside, meditation on the pith, prayer asks for what we long for, contemplation gives us delight in the sweetness which we have found. —Guigo II, The Ladder of Monks, III (12th c.)
10 What Is Lectio Divina and How to Use This Book Reading – Meditation – Prayer – Contemplation Lectio divina or “divine reading” is a process of engaging with Christ, the Word of God. Through this sacred exercise, we enter into a closer relationship with the very Word himself, who communicates the love of the Father to us through the Holy Spirit. Lectio divina has four steps in which we first hear what God has said (reading). We then take it in and reflect on it (meditation). From this our hearts are lifted up (prayer). Finally, after speaking to the Lord in prayer, we rest and listen for his message to us (contemplation). This is the process of lectio divina. It is a conversation with God, grounded in God’s own self-revelation to us. This helps us speak to God with a focus on what he has already told us about his relationship with humanity, his plans and desires for us, his promises, his admonitions, and his guidance on how we can live, so as to find true life in abundance in Christ. Here is a brief description of each of the four steps: Reading (Lectio) Read the passage slowly and allow it to sink in. If there is a passage that is particularly striking, and that you want to keep with you, consider committing it to memory, or writing it down to keep with you, so that you can re-read it throughout the day, and let it enter deeper into your spirit. “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) “The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
What Is Lectio Divina and How to Use This Book 11 and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Meditation (Meditatio) Read the passage again, and when something strikes you, a question arises in you, stop and meditate. Think about what God may be saying through it. “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to fathom a matter.” (Proverbs 25:2) “I will ponder your precepts and consider your paths.” (Psalm 119:15) Prayer (Oratio) Speak to the Lord about what you have read and share what’s on your mind and heart—offer and share with the Lord your thanksgiving, petition, concerns, doubts, or simply affirm, back to the Lord, the very word that he has spoken. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise.” (Psalm 100:4) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) Contemplation (Contemplatio) This is a quiet time, a time to rest in his presence and wait upon the Lord. It is a time where we allow the Lord to speak directly to our spirit from within us. It requires practice. But this allows us to be attentive to the Lord’s voice, and by regular practice, our ability to hear God’s voice
What Is Lectio Divina and How to Use This Book 12 will grow in daily life and daily situations, as we learn to focus our minds and hearts, our thoughts, our concerns, and our hopes toward him. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) “Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:11) Applying This Process of Lectio Divina to the Liturgical Year This Lectio Divina of the Gospels for the Liturgical Year book will take the reader through the Sundays and major feasts and solemnities of the liturgical year. It can be used for individual devotion and can also easily be used to assist in small group reflections in parishes and small faith groups. It offers a structured process for engaging with the Word of God. As the reader or group becomes more comfortable engaging with Scripture, this process can be more closely tailored to suit the path of growth that best fits the reader(s). First, the lectio divina session is started by praying a prayer that is taken from a Mass collect from that liturgical week. Following that prayer, the main Scripture passage for reflection is read, which is taken from the Gospel reading for that day. This READING can be re-read, a few times, to let it sink in. Next, a set of three questions are offered to help in MEDITATION. These questions can also facilitate talking about the passage in a group setting. The individual then offers his or her personal PRAYER, responding to the Lord. In a group setting, people can speak out their prayers one at a time—this may help deepen the prayer response and further set the group’s focus on the Lord. Next, a structured set of passages and questions are offered that return the reader to the Gospel passage. This invites the reader to contemplate what the Lord is speaking and what it means for their life. It allows the individual or the prayer group to consider specific ways the Lord may be speaking into their life at that very moment. As
What Is Lectio Divina and How to Use This Book 13 each person begins to hear a response from the Lord—the Lord’s word spoken directly and personally to them—that person can begin to let that word flow through their life, by an interior change and a will to do what the Lord is asking of them. Through this step of CONTEMPLATION, we hear God’s voice speaking to us, and it propels us to conversion of heart and mind. After the closing prayer, time is given to choosing how to live out the fruit of your prayer. You know your heart and life best—if it’s clear what God is asking of you, in faith, choose some way that you can put that request or teaching from the Lord into action that week. It could be a small act of faith that the Lord is asking, or perhaps, a more serious and important step that he is asking you to take. If there is nothing specific that comes to your mind, consider the question and suggestion offered in the Living the Word This Week section. This portion offers guidance on what concrete actions may be taken in our daily lives. The Lectio Divina of the Gospels for the Liturgical Year offers a specific pattern of prayerful reading of God’s Word. As you begin on this path, may the Lord’s blessing follow you, and fall upon you, throughout the movement of seasons in this new liturgical year, and may your life, in turn, be a blessing upon others.
Lectio Divina of the Gospels
15 December 3, 2023 Lectio Divina for the First Sunday of Advent We begin our prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Stir up your power, O Lord, and come to our help with mighty strength, that what our sins impede the grace of your mercy may hasten. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Collect, Thursday of the First Week of Advent) Reading (Lectio) Read the following Scripture two or three times. Mark 13:33-37 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
December 3, 2023 16 Meditation (Meditatio) After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on one or more of the following questions: • What word or words in this passage caught your attention? • What in this passage comforted you? • What in this passage challenged you? If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group, after the reflection time, invite the participants to share their responses. Prayer (Oratio) Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspires in you. Contemplation (Contemplatio) Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection: What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
December 3, 2023 17 Each with his own work. To what work is God calling me? How can I be of greater service to my brothers and sisters? Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming. How can I become more attentive to God’s presence in my life? How can I prepare my heart to receive Christ at Christmas? What I say to you, I say to all: “Watch!” How can I help others encounter Christ? What are some ways that I share my faith?
December 3, 2023 18 After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion, all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following: Closing Prayer: O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. Rouse your power, and come to save us. Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong. May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. (From Psalm 80) Living the Word This Week How can I make my life a gift for others in charity? Make setting aside time for prayer and service a priority in your schedule.
19 December 8, 2023 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception We begin our prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the BlessedVirgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Collect, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) Reading (Lectio) Read the following Scripture two or three times. Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his
December 8, 2023 20 father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Meditation (Meditatio) After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on one or more of the following questions: • What word or words in this passage caught your attention? • What in this passage comforted you? • What in this passage challenged you? If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group, after the reflection time, invite the participants to share their responses. Prayer (Oratio) Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspires in you.
December 8, 2023 21 Contemplation (Contemplatio) Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection: What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me? Do not be afraid. What things/issues in my life cause fear? How does my faith in God help me to deal with these fears? You have found favor with God. How have I experienced God’s favor in my life? How can I express my gratitude for God’s gifts?
December 8, 2023 22 Nothing will be impossible for God. When have I experienced God’s power in my life? How can I grow in my trust in God’s Divine Providence? After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion, all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following: Closing Prayer: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (From Psalm 98) Living the Word This Week How can I make my life a gift for others in charity? Pray (at least) a decade of the Rosary.
23 December 10, 2023 Lectio Divina for the Second Week of Advent We begin our prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. May the splendor of your glory dawn in our hearts, we pray, almighty God, that all shadows of the night may be scattered and we may be shown to be children of light by the advent of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Collect, Saturday of the Second Week of Advent) Reading (Lectio) Read the following Scripture two or three times. Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
December 10, 2023 24 John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Meditation (Meditatio) After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on one or more of the following questions: • What word or words in this passage caught your attention? • What in this passage comforted you? • What in this passage challenged you? If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group, after the reflection time, invite the participants to share their responses. Prayer (Oratio) Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspires in you. Contemplation (Contemplatio) Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection: What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
December 10, 2023 25 I am sending my messenger ahead of you. How do I learn about my faith? How do my actions reflect what I believe? One mightier than I is coming after me. How have I seen/experienced God’s power? How can I help to prepare the way of the Lord? He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. What gifts of the Spirit am I called to share? What gifts of the Spirit do I need to cultivate?
44 January 1, 2024 Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God We begin our prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Collect, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God) Reading (Lectio) Read the following Scripture two or three times. Luke 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
January 1, 2024 45 Meditation (Meditatio) After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on one or more of the following questions: • What word or words in this passage caught your attention? • What in this passage comforted you? • What in this passage challenged you? If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group, after the reflection time, invite the participants to share their responses. Prayer (Oratio) Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspires in you. Contemplation (Contemplatio) Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection: What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
January 1, 2024 46 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. Where have I found God in my life? How can I help others to find him as well? And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. How does Mary’s life inspire me to conform my life to God’s will? How can I balance action and contemplation in my faith life? He was named Jesus. How do I show respect for the name of the Lord? How do I honor God in my speech? After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion, all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
January 1, 2024 47 Closing Prayer: May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him. (From Psalm 67) Living the Word This Week How can I make my life a gift for others in charity? Make a resolution to do a nightly examen to become more attentive to God’s action in your life.
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D S G Preparedby theUnitedStatesConference of Catholic Bishops, this Lectio Divina of the Gospels for the Liturgical Year 20232024 is a wonderful prayer aid for the Church’s liturgical year, beginning anew with Advent 2023. Follow the cycle of the Church’s seasons and take up the invitation to re ect on the Sunday Gospel more deeply, letting it permeate every area of your life. Practicing the ancient exercise of lectio divina will infuse the Gospel into your daily life, enabling you to see God’s Kingdom more clearly here and now. MAGNIFICAT®
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