So It Will Be Also at the Coming of the Son of Man- with Lectio Divina

Awhile back, the angels asked me to dedicate Sundays to the Gospels, With love and gratitude, here is the Gospel of  Matthew 24:37-44- with a loving message behind it and Lectio Divina for prayerful reading. 

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

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Today’s Gospel stresses that the time  of God’s coming in unknown; therefore believers must always be prepared. As the great flood caught people unawares, the coming of the Son of Man will also arrive in God’s own time. Matthew uses the greek word “parousia”, here translated as “Coming”, which in Roman society, referred to a ruler’s visitation to a city or an arrival of a deity bringing salvation to the people. Christians adopted the word, combining both meanings, to speak of Christ’s Coming to complete God’s final rule, which began in His ministry. For that Coming, Christians must always be prepared.[see reference] 

Today is the first Sunday of advent, which continues through Christmas Eve. Here is a sample of Lectio Divina, that you can practice at home with God’s Word, and is meant for prayerful reading, but also for meditating on God’s Holy Word. 

Lectio Divina for Prayerful Reading 

1. Lectio: Read a scripture passage aloud and slowly. Notice what phrase captures your attention and be attentive to its meaning. Silent pause.

2. Meditatio: Read the passage aloud slowly again, reflecting on the passage, allowing God to speak  to you through it.  Silent pause.

3. Oratio: Read it aloud slowly a third time, allowing it to be your prayer or response to God’s gift of insight to you. Silent pause. 

4. Contemplatio: Read it slowly a fourth time, now resting in God’s Holy Word. 

 Reference: The Workbook for Lectors , Gospel Readers and Proclaimers of the Word.