Lectio Divina and Visio Divina on John 1:29-34

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – January 19, 2020 

Lectio Divina is a way of hearing God speak to us.  This is the Gospel that will be read in its entirety on Sunday at mass. 

Intermediate teachers: Have your students act out this short summary of the reading from the Gospel.  Maybe have one group present the short skit and discussion question 1.  Have another group present the skit again and discuss question 2.  Have a third group present the skit and discuss question 3.

Have the students journal questions 4 and 5.  Usually with Lectio Divina the word of God is heard three times with different voices.  Gives God many ways to touch our hearts with the truth.

“Jesus is God’s Chosen One. – based on John 1:29-34

Narrator:  John the Baptist was preaching to people near the Jordan River when he caught sight of Jesus coming toward him.

John the Baptist:  Look there!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  It is he of whom I said, “After me is to come a man who ranks ahead of me, because he was before me.”  I confess I did not recognize him, though the very reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.

Narrator:  John also gave this testimony.

John the Baptist:  I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from the sky, and come to rest on him.  But, as I say, I did not recognize him.  The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “When you see the Spirit descend and rest on someone, it is he who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit,” Now I have seen for myself and have testified, “This is God’s chosen One.””  Spirit 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Vol. 32, No. 15

Discussion with class – or journal reflection questions

1.  Who is the Lamb of God?  Who is God’s chosen One?

2.  What does the gospel imagery tell you about Jesus’ identity and mission?

3.  What is Jesus up to in his ministry?

4.  How does the Gospel reading alert you to your call to be a witness to Jesus and his message of love?

5.  When ha it been difficult for you to be a witness to Jesus and his message of love/

Let us pray: “Loving God, you call each of us by name to belong to you, Father, Son, and Spirit, who live as a community of three in one love.  Help us live out our baptismal call in love and service to one another.  Amen+” Spirit 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Vol. 32, No. 15

Visio Divina

1. Visio (See) Look at the art. What do you see? What is happening?

2. Meditatio (Meditate) How does it make you feel?

3. Lectio (Read, Context) Read the Gospel passage below. View the information at the National Gallery website and/or the Khan Academy video. How does the painting correspond with the Gospel?

4. Oratio (Pray) Silently sit with this image opening yourself up to the flow of the Holy Spirit.

5. Contemplatio (Ponder) How is God speaking to you in this Visio Divina? Share your thoughts by writing them or telling them.

6. Operatio (Act) Because of this Visio Divina, what acts or changes in thinking do you want to happen in your life?

Gospel John 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”