Advent Reflections
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022
Birth of Christ, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2002, The Saint John's Bible, Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s reflection consists of two text illuminations from the Saint John’s Bible. The Saint John’s Bible, Gospel and Acts, was on loan to Saint Anselm College in 2016. This incredible work of art depicts Scripture using medieval techniques but modern theology and influences. In the Bible itself, many verses of Scripture have been “illuminated,” meaning the words themselves have been turned into works of art right within the text. Today’s first reading from 1 Samuel is one such passage, depicting the prayer of Hannah. Additionally, today’s Gospel is the Magnificat—the prayer of Mary from Luke’s Gospel. We invite you to engage join us in engaging these passages (below) through visio divina, the practice of prayer through art or media.
More information about the practice of visio divina can be found at http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Praying-with-Art-Visio-Divina.
Hannah's Prayer, Thomas Ingmire, Copyright 2010, The Saint John's Bible, Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Reading 1 – 1 Sm 1:24-28
In those days, Hannah brought Samuel with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said: “Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” She left Samuel there.
Magnificat, Sally Mae Joseph, Copyright 2002, The Saint John's Bible, Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Gospel – Lk 1:46-56
…Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.