CBB Review – Advent: Preparing for Christ, Cycle B study

Last updated on: December 1, 2014 at 5:30 pm by Pete Socks

CBB Review – Advent: Preparing for Christ, Cycle B study 2014-11-30T17:35:33-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Advent 2014 has arrived and just like Lent its a perfect opportunity to study your faith. Particular focus can be spent on study of the arrival of the Messiah. Catholic Scripture Study International has recently released a new study in their growing number of resources. Advent: Preparing for Christ, Cycle B is a four week study to help up us in our Advent reflection this year. As noted in the introduction “Advent is a time to be more intentional in our relationship with Christ; to renew it and in turn have it renew us”.

If you are familiar with the other other studies by CSS you will be at home with this study, the only difference being the focus on Advent instead of a particular book of the Bible. The entire encompasses four lessons which is used for group study would be best followed one per week. Even if used for personal use spending the week with each section will be beneficial to the reader. In the introduction it is encouraged to follow the method of Lectio Divina. Briefly this is the practice of “praying the scriptures” as endorsed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. The steps are detailed well in the introduction but basically you will Read the reading, Meditate on what the text is saying to you on a personal level, allow your meditation to lead you to Prayer and listen to what God is telling you through his Word, Contemplate the text by utilizing the reflection questions including with each week’s study and take notes on any personal reflections, take Action on what you have learned and share with others or the group you are studying with.

Each of the week’s studies use the corresponding Advent Sunday readings from Cycle B. The readings are provided in the study guide as well as extensive Points to Ponder for the Old Testament, New Testament and Gospel readings. Additionally there are references in sections called “Catechism Connections” that point to relevant entries in the Catechism that relevant to that week’s study. Also included are selections from the Second Vatican Council document Lumen Gentium and Pope John Paul II’s “Reconciliation and Penance”.

Also available for use with the study guide is a DVD containing four lectures. These are presented by Father Mitch Pacwa. The combination of the lecture DVD with the study guide makes this pack a great resource for parish studies. Adult education coordinators really should take advantage of this.

Catholic Scripture Study International continues to release great resources for Catholics to use for individual or group Catechesis. This particular study allows us to refocus on the Advent season and put our secular distractions on hold as we refocus on Christ. As we watch and wait for his second coming our time is better spent preparing ourselves. “It is in the light of his Second Coming that we celbrate his First Coming. It is because of his First Coming that we can hope in the Second Coming and trust in his mercy and love”.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

I received a copy of this set from the publisher, Catholic Scripture Study International.

To purchase a copy visit the publishers site here.

Review

Advent Preparing for Christ

Catholic Scripture Study International

Father Mitch Pacwa

Previous Post

December 1, 2014

Church Fathers, Day One Hundred Thirty-Three: St. Hilary of Poitiers says don’t try to limit God

Next Post

December 2, 2014 Church Fathers, Day One Hundred Thirty-Four: St. Clement tells us everything in good order

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz