January 31, 2010 - "No prophet is accepted in his own native place."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 31, 2010 (4C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: Is Passion good or bad?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Book of the prophet Jeremiah, Chapter 1, Verses 4-5, 17-19

1. Obstinate people present themselves to Jeremiah and Jesus this Sunday. Why do people resist a prophet’s radical call to peace and justice? Do you always accept “radical messages” right away? Prophets incite people to action. Is there some injustice about which you can no longer remain silent? What would you like to rouse people to do?

2. “For it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: against Judah’s kings and princes, against the priests and people.” Do disagreements within the Church or within your parish sometimes take place? Is this a bad thing? Discuss the idea that growth involves some tension.

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians
Chapter 12, Verse 31, Chapter 13, Verses 1-13

1. What is the only thing you take with you when you die? Do you think you can expand your capacity for love by exercising the giving and receiving of love? Do you think that love is the prime mover in all that the Church does?

2. Why is this reading placed between two other readings in which prophets are trying to change people’s attitudes or hearts? What changes people for the better? Name some things that love does in your life.

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 4, Verses 21-30

1. Both Jeremiah and Jesus provoked people in God’s name but then escaped from the danger that resulted. What are the implications for us? What did God promise us?

2. Jesus said, “No prophet is accepted in his own native place.” Do you think prophets care if they are accepted or not? Do you know anyone whom you would consider a prophet? What do you think changed them from “ordinary person” to “prophet”?


Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the above Sunday Readings with other ParishWorld readers. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. Post your comments below.

January 24, 2010 - “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 24, 2010 (3C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Book of Nehemiah
Chapter 8, Verses 2-4, 5-6, 8-10

1. Why does Ezra say “today” is holy? What is significant about “today” for Jesus? Do you live in the past or the future? What is the only time you have for sure? What happens to “now” if you spend all your time looking backward or forward?

2. Do you see any growth in the relationship between God and people from the Old Testament reading on Sunday to the Corinthians one to the Gospel? Do you think everything we would ever know was stated during Jesus’ time or does the Holy Spirit give the Church new insights as it needs them?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians
Chapter 12, Verses 12-30

1. Some people’s gift is to diffuse tension in a meeting. What if such a person is missing from a meeting? What happens? Is that kind of gift more or less important than administering the parish, community or diocese? Why? What is your gift to the community?

2. If you had your choice of gifts which ones would you choose? Why? If you have a gift and you never use it, what will happen to it? Can you name some of your gifts?

Gospel
According to Luke
Chapter 1, Verses 1-4, Chapter 4, Verses 14-21

1. Jesus went to Nazareth, his hometown. People there thought of him as Mary and Joseph’s son. Suddenly he claims to be the Messiah. What would your reaction have been to such a declaration?

2. Jesus said he had been anointed to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind and to let the oppressed go free. Where would you look for Jesus if he were here today? Is the Church where you would seek him? Do you insulate yourself from the poor and tell yourself that you couldn’t do anything to help anyway? Is there some small thing you could do for people needing assistance?


Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the above Sunday Readings with other ParishWorld readers. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. Post your comments below.

January 17, 2010 - “Do whatever he tells you.”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 17, 2010 (2C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: What are 4 components of conjugal life in matrimony?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 62, Verses 1-5

1. Why does Isaiah use intimate marital imagery when explaining the relationship between God and the people? Does love between human beings help you understand how much God loves people?

2. The Lord gives new names to Israel in this First Reading (“a glorious crown in the Lord’s hand,” “A Royal Diadem [crown],” “My Delight,” and “Espoused”). How would you interpret these loving names in light of the New Testament?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 12, Verses 4-11

1. Why do you think people are given talents such as Van Gogh’s and Bach’s or spiritual gifts such as the ones mentioned in the reading? Should everyone have the same talents? Are you using the talents God gave you?

2. Paul mentions the gifts of faith, healing, mighty deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, varieties of tongues and interpretations of tongues. Are such gifts still needed in your community? Where do they come from?

Gospel
According to John Chapter 2, Verses 1-11

1. Surprisingly, when his own mother said, “They have no wine,” Jesus replied, “How does your concern affect me?” Wasn’t this a rude answer? Why did he say it? In spite of his response, Mary trusted that he would somehow solve the problem. If her trust rates “ten” on a scale of ten, where would you put your own trust when you go to God with your concerns?

2. This Sunday, together with the previous two (i.e., Epiphany, the Lord’s Baptism, and now the miracle at Cana), mark the beginning of Jesus’ public mission (even though he denies it in today’s reading). Compare and contrast the three events.


Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the above Sunday Readings with other ParishWorld readers. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

January 10, 1010 - “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Sunday Readings' Reflections
Feast of the Lord's Baptism, January 10, 2009 (BaptismofLordC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios para Domingo
Burning Question: Why do Catholics baptize babies?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 42, verses 1-4, 6-7
optional: Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 40, verses 1-5, 9-11

1. In this reading (Isaiah 42), God says to the suffering servant, ”Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.” Then in the Gospel a voice comes from heaven, saying to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” What are the implications?

2. Wastelands, deserts, rugged land and rough country (Isaiah 40). Could these words describe the world today? The Church? Your spiritual life? Does this reading suggest that there is help in fixing these or do you have to do it all yourself?

Second Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 10, Verses 34-38
optional: Letter of St. Paul to Titus, Chapter 2, verses 11-14 & Chapter 3, verses 4-7

1. Did we do anything to earn salvation? Why does God give it to us? What does St. Paul in his letter to Titus say about the extravagance of God’s gift to us?

2. In the reading from Acts Peter is quoted as saying this about Jesus: “He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil.” Compare this with Isaiah in the First Reading: “I formed you…to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 3, Verses 15-16, 21-22

1. John the Baptist was the middleman. He pointed back to Isaiah and forward to Jesus, connecting the whole plan. What or who are the “middlemen” who connect you with God? In what way are you a middleman?

2. Jesus stood in line with everyone else to be baptized. What does this tell you about him? Can you think of anything that God asks you to do that Jesus didn’t experience in some way?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the above Sunday Readings with other ParishWorld readers. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
Click here to go to our online Sunday Bible Study Group.