"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010 (PalmC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings at the Mass (Cycle C)
Sunday Readings at the Procession with Palms (Cycle C)
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: What is Holiness?

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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 50, Verses 4-7

1. In Isaiah we read, “I have not rebelled, have not turned away. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard.” We see Jesus as the subject of this reading. Can we follow him? Explain.

2. What would have happened if Jesus had given up? But he was single-minded, wasn’t he? Does this reading make you feel oneness with the suffering world? Is there any action you could take to remedy someone’s suffering?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, Chapter 2, Verses 6-11

1. “Agape” means love that is selfless. Does this ever describe your love? Is your love sometimes mixed with self-concern?

2. Agape implies conversion, vulnerability, search for justice, and suffering. Does agape therefore help the world?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 22, Verses 14-71;
Chapter 23, Verses 1-56

1. According to the Gospel of Luke, the marginalized and neglected people accompanied Jesus on the way to his death. This included the women, Simon, and the good thief. What does this tell you about Jesus? What does it tell you about Luke? And about you?

2. Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” Wasn’t he excusing people who were killing him? Do you ever ask God to forgive people who hurt you? Can you forgive them?

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"Let the one among you who is without sin"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 21, 2010 (5LentC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings (Cycle C)
Sunday Readings (Cycle A for RCIA)
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: What is the worst sin?

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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 43, Verses 16-21

1. Did God take care of the needs of the Israelites at different times on their journey or did God get them out of Egypt and say, “See you. You’re on your own now.” Does that have any meaning for you?

2. God said, “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new!” What was this “something new” God was talking about? What is the “something new” God gives to us in our day? Does he give to you in your own life?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, Chapter 3, Verses 8-14

1. Comparatively speaking, what are all your other possessions worth, compared to Christ? How far are you willing to “accept the loss of all things” in order to gain Christ? Does the resurrection help you accept the cross?

2. St. Paul says in this reading, “forgetting what lies behind.” Do you forget what lies behind or do you drive down a highway constantly looking in your rearview mirror, so to speak? Do you “strain forward to see what lies ahead?” What happens to “now” if you are always looking forward or backward?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 8, Verses 1-11

1. What do you think Jesus was writing on the ground with his finger? Why did the people put down their stones and walk away?

2. The law said to stone only the woman caught in adultery and not the man. What kind of justice system was that? What do you think the woman thought when Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin any more?” What do you think Jesus thought about the stoning idea? What would he think of torturing prisoners?

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"He was lost and has been found."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 14, 2010 (4LentC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: Why is it a sin to miss Mass on Sunday?

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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 Joshua, Chapter 5, Verses 9, 10-12

1. How does God take care of you in your daily life? Was God as present to the Israelites in their daily lives in the Promised Land as in the desert? Is this true for you, metaphorically speaking?

2. This reading and the Gospel are about coming home. How does that idea relate to Lent? What is your spiritual home?

Second Reading
Second Letter of St. Paul to the 1 Corinthians,
Chapter 5, Verses 17-21

1. Some meanings for reconcile are: forgive, restore harmony, rectify, patch up, reunite, bury the hatchet, appease, arbitrate, bring to terms, kiss and make up. Wherever there is injustice in the world something is not reconciled. What might the Church do to change an unjust or unfair situation? What could your parish do? What can you do?

2. Aelred R. Rosser says, in the Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers, “Christ became what we are so that we may become what Christ is.” Can you explain this?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 15, Verses 1-3, 11-32

1. Jesus responded with the parable of the Prodigal Son when he was accused of eating with sinners. How was Jesus “prodigal”? What was Jesus telling us about God’s forgiveness? In the story, did the son have to ask for forgiveness or did he just start on the road back home? Do you forgive easily? Is it easy or difficult for you to ask for forgiveness?

2. Which of these actions do you think is more effective in bringing sinners back: excluding them or running to meet them with a hug? What about eating dinner with them? What method would you use?

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But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday in Lent, March 7, 2010 (3LentC)
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 Exodus, Chapter 3, Verses 1-8, 13-15

1. Did God call Moses for Moses’ sake or for the Israelite people? Does God call each of us for the same reason(s)? “Does I Am Who Am” intervene in our history as he did in the Israelites’? Name some incidents that you think are/were God’s interventions.

2. Is God calling all of us all the time, either to conversion or to action? God told Moses he was standing on holy ground. What made it holy? What is holy ground for you?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the 1 Corinthians,
Chapter 10, Verses 1-6, 10-12

1. Do you have to work at keeping a friendship alive and healthy? Does your answer have any implications about your relationship with God?

2. Are there opportunities for deeper conversion (turning more toward God) and productivity you could take advantage of? Are there some for your parish too?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 13, Verses 1-9

1. In the book Diary of a Country Priest George Bernanos said, “Grace is everywhere.” Do you always cooperate with it? Could you cooperate to a greater degree? How?

2. Do you give people another chance after they make a mistake? Does God use people as “gardeners” to help cultivate and fertilize with grace? Does God use you? Has God used others to help you bear fruit?

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