"This is my chosen Son; listen to him."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday in Lent, February 28, 2010 (2LentC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: What is Faith?

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Book of Genesis, Chapter 15, Verses 5-12, 17-18

1. A covenant is a formal binding agreement, a promise between two parties. What did God promise Abraham? What did Abraham promise? Do you and we keep the bargain?

2. Abraham when he was faced with great uncertainties later. Do you think remembering these promises helped? What helps you face uncertainties and need to make decisions? Is God with you?


Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians,
Chapter 3, Verses 17-21; Chapter 4, Verse 1

1. Paul is urging the Philippians to keep their priorities straight. Do you find that an easy task? “Their minds are occupied with earthly things.” Would you fit right in with the Philippians in this? Discuss. Who or what helps you with the struggle of shoveling out the earthly things from your mind?

2. Paul talks about those “whom I love and long for, my joy and crown.” He really does love these people. Is it easier to take correction from someone who loves you than someone who doesn’t? Is there a lesson here?


Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 9, Verses 28-36

1. Jesus told the disciples about the upcoming events and they didn’t accept the news well. How were the words, “This is my Son. Listen to him,” a stamp of approval from the Father on all that was about to take place? What does the transfiguration mean to you?

2. Peter prattled on without making much sense. How do you react to situations or to ideas you cannot comprehend? Automatic Rejection? Openness?

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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.

"You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
First Sunday in Lent, February 21, 2010 (1LentC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: Must you believe the Church 100% to be Catholic?

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 26, Verses 4-10

1. This is the faith story of a people. Is there a way that your faith story is like this one? Discuss.

2. What good things came out of the Israelites’ desert sojourn? Was there any other way for them to get to the Promised Land? Metaphorically speaking, is the desert a place to fear or do you find its mysteries attractive?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 10, Verses 8-13

1. How do you proclaim that Jesus is Lord on all the small places where you live your daily life (in the parish, at work, with friends)? Do your proclamations always require words?

2. Is most of what you do for someone colored by the love you have for them? The word who is “near you, in your mouth and in your heart” is Christ. What are the implications for you?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 4, Verses 1-13

1. Jesus took on our sins. Do you think he experiences our temptations too? Is there any part of them he does not understand?

2. When an athlete starts to get out of shape he/she exercises to get back. Is there an analogy here for your spiritual life? How do you exercise to get into shape spiritually? What would a “flabby” spiritual life look like? How does yours look now?

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

"Blessed are you who are poor"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 14, 2010 (6C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: Does God want you to be rich?

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Book of the prophet Jeremiah, Chapter 17, Verses 5-8

1. Compare and contrast the tree planted beside the water with the barren bush. Do you identity completely with the tree or do you have some of barrenness in you? Where does choice come into this picture?

2. Do you place your trust in human beings in any areas of your life? Why? In which areas do you place your trust in God?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 15, Verses 12, 16-20

1. Resurrection was a new idea for the early Christians and hard for some to believe. How do you handle new ideas? Is it an automatic rejection, automatic acceptance or do you collect information and study the ideas carefully?

2. Do you think every truth was present at the foundation of the Church or do you think some truths evolve with time and circumstances? How does the idea of resurrection impact your life now? What would your life be like now if you had no hope of resurrection?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 6, Verses 17, 20-26

1. Disciples must suffer, that we know. But do we have to be constantly poor or hungry? We must remember our need for God, whatever the situation. Do you remember once and for all time, or do you have to renew it repeatedly? Discuss.

2. Talk about the following statements in the light of a need for God as opposed to self-sufficiency.

Blessed are you who are poor.
Blessed are you who are now hungry.
Blessed are you who are now weeping.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
exclude and insult you.

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"From now on you will be catching men.”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 7, 2010 (5C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: Why don't you evangelize door to door?

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 6, Verses 1-2, 3-8

1. What do Isaiah, Paul and Peter have in common in these readings?

2. God knocked Paul down and blinded him. He must have had some big plans in mind for him. Could God just as well call us to do small things first, to take baby steps till we get used to saying yes?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 15, Verses 1-11

1. Paul persecuted the Church, but because of grace he became a very effective minister. Was he given the grace solely for his own benefit? Explain.

2. “For I am . . . not fit to be called an apostle . . .” Do you think fit or worthy is the measure that God uses to call a person? Was there some inconsistency between what Paul was and what he was asked to do? Is anyone “fit” or “worthy”?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 5, Verses 1-11

1. List some of the dangers of the “deep”. What is not there for your security? What is there to threaten you? So why would you go there? What virtue do you need?

2. Where did Peter have to go in his personal life before he could “catch” people for God? Was everything up to him or did Peter receive extraordinary help? When are you on the shore and when are you in the deep?

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.