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EPS Vice President Dr. Susan Timoney (center in pink) leads a theological reflection training class at Immaculate Conception Seminary, where an affiliated EPS program is operated.

The Skill of Theological Reflection

Reflection is something we do all the time. When we think about the meaning or significance of a book, a movie, or an event, we are reflecting. In theological reflection we use Scripture, church teaching, sacramental events and contemporary life as the basis for our reflection. The most common example for theological reflection is the Sunday homily. The preacher uses Scripture as a foundation to talk about its meaning in our personal lives. In a theological reflection exercise you become the homilist; relating some aspect of Church teaching to your daily life in a way that helps you recognize God’s presence and action in your life.

The following steps will help you learn Theological Reflection.

Begin by reading the text/poem below. Read slowly and thoughtfully.

Identify the central theme of the text; what is it about?

Sit with the text until a focal point emerges.

Relate the focus or theme to a personal life experience(s). Ask yourself, how or where does my own life relate to this theme? There are no wrong answers.

Return to the text. Do you see something new that you hadn’t noticed before? Have you gained a new insight into your own experience? As you begin to get more familiar or comfortable with Theological Reflection, you might ask yourself, how does your experience relate to other aspects of Catholic tradition?

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An Advent Theological Reflection

We invite you to take some quiet time to seek out the Lord in prayer and welcome him more fully into your heart and home during this holy season of Advent.

Text: “Advent is a time of waiting, longing, and begging. It is a time to pray ‘come, Lord Jesus.’ We look forward to celebrating the first coming of Jesus at Christmas. We look forward to the second coming of Jesus in his glory. We seek out Jesus here and now in the Mass, when he comes to us in the Eucharist. We seek out Jesus in the people and events in our lives, when he comes to us in ordinary ways.” (Excerpt from The Magnificat Advent Companion)

Theme: Advent is a time to seek out and welcome our Lord

Begin by reflecting on the “text”. What words, images come to mind and capture your imagination? Why?

Draw Parallels with Scripture:
Take that word, idea or theme and think about where in Scripture you find parallels. Can you think of a story in which someone is “begging” something of God or of our Lord? Is there a story of someone search for the Lord that makes you think of your own search?

Draw Parallels with Tradition:
Remind yourself of the word or image or idea that you chose at the beginning of the reflection. Is there something in the traditions Advent that might help you delve more deeply into its meaning for you this Advent. Does the image, idea or word serve as a door to a new discovery about the Lord. For example, is there a word that you can listen for in the proclamation of Scripture during the Advent season? Will you make a commitment to participate in an Advent reconciliation service to discover our Lord’s gift of mercy?

Draw Parallels with Your Own Experience:
Reflect upon a time in your life in which you consciously sought out the Lord. Where did your search take you? What did you discover? How did the Lord come to you? What in that experience might encourage you to seek the Lord in a new way this Advent?

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