In this episode, we continue our four part Advent series revisiting the women Doctors of the Church with a discussion on praise through the life of St. Hildegard of Bingen. We discuss the value of praise: speaking the truth about who God is and who we are and reflect on how all creation was made to praise the Creator. We chat about Advent as a particular time to create space to hear God's voice and the unique ways each of us enter into praise of God. We pray this week you would hear the voice of God over you and join in the joyful praise of all creation.

For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women doctors of the church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts! 

 

Sister Miriam's one thing - The Litany of Self-Love - Micole Amalu

Michelle's one thing - Breath of Heaven - Amy Grant

Heather's one thing - Deliverance Prayers: For Use by the Laity - Fr. Chad A Ripperger PhD

 

Discussion questions:    

1. What stood out to you from today's episode? 
2. What are some ways you enter into praise of God? How has this changed throughout different seasons in your life? 
3. How have you seen praise of God change the atmosphere, relationships, or situations? Take a moment to share these stories. 
4. How can we continue to cultivate the "inner place" for God to speak to us and for us to praise God this Advent? 

Journal Questions:

1. Do you believe you were created to praise? How can you begin to live out this calling in practical ways and particularly during this Advent season?
2. Many times we cannot hear God because something else is overshadowing his voice? Ask the Lord "Tell me what I am not hearing?" 
3. Take a moment to imagine yourself with Mary singing praises over the child Jesus in her womb or as an infant. What words of praise do you want to speak to Jesus? What does he want to say back to you?

Quotes to Ponder: 

"Sometimes when we hear a song we breathe deeply and sigh. This reminds the prophet that the soul arises from heavenly harmony. In thinking about this, he was aware that the soul itself has something in itself of this music..." - St. Hildegard of Bingen

 

Scripture for Lectio Divina:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him, not one thing came into being. What has come into being in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. - John 1:1-5

 

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