"I give you a new commandment: love one another."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2, 2010 (5EasterC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings (Cycle C)
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Who is your neighbor?

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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
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 14, Verses 21-27

1. Paul and Barnabas traveled around the country spreading the good news. Who was responsible for opening the door to the Gentiles, according to them? Who is in charge of your ministry? How deep is your belief about that?

2. Luke refers to some hardships in this reading. Could they be connected to the “new commandment” mentioned in the Gospel? Have you discovered hardships in your own life connected to loving your neighbor? Even though God opened the doors, what still must take place before faith is received?

Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, Verses 1-5a

1. What is the connection between the holy city in the reading and God’s dwelling with the human race?

2. God and human persons dwell together. Where is this visible? Is it in the Lord’s legacy of selfless love? Where is the comfort in this reading for someone who is suffering?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 13, Verses 31-33a, 34-35

1. Did Jesus give us edicts, rubrics or canons? What one rule did he give us over and over again? What teaching of the Church do you think will bring all people to Christ?

2. “As I have loved you, so should you love one another.” How far did Jesus go in loving us? Are you ever asked to give more than you planned? How do you handle that?

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Please share below 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.

"My sheep hear my voice"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 25, 2010 (4EasterC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings (Cycle C)
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Is it more important to believe in God or in the Church?

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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
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 5, Verses 27-32, 40-41

1. “Almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” Did they like what they heard? What made Paul and Barnabas decide to preach to the Gentiles? Was salvation planned for the Gentiles from the beginning or was this a change of plans?

2. How were Paul and Barnabas instruments of salvation? Are you an instrument in any way? How? What do you do when you encounter opposition?

Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 5, Verses 11-14

1. People suffer and yet still stand before the Lamb. How can this be? Does the Lamb take care of their needs? Does Christ have a way to understand their hardships? How about you: can you understand other people’s suffering better if you have experienced suffering yourself?

2. What resistance to the values of Christianity do you encounter in your life? When you encounter inner conflict regarding social justice and the people who suffer because of it, what do you do? What would you like to do?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 21, Verses 1-19

1. “Jesus said: I know them.” What does the Good Shepherd know about you?

2. “No one can take them out of my hands …or the Father’s hands.” The sheep are safely kept. Are there forces that try to take the sheep out of Jesus’ hand? What are they? Do they sometimes take you too? When will you be free from struggle?

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"Feed my sheep"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2010 (3EasterC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings (Cycle C)
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Can we who are sinful be part of Jesus’ mission?

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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
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 5, Verses 27-32, 40-41

1. “We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name.” Why the negative attitude and all the objections from the Sanhedrin? How are you with interpretations of God’s word that are different from your own?

2. The apostles rejoiced that they had been found worthy to suffer and receive dishonor. When you encounter suffering in your life is there anything that helps you accept it? What would make a person “embrace” suffering? Do you know anyone who suffers but also exudes a kind of spiritual joy?

Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 5, Verses 11-14

1. Why is it right and just that “everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.”

2. Why is Christ called the “Paschal Lamb”? How are cross and resurrection unified in the image of the Paschal Lamb? How is this image a model for the Church?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 21, Verses 1-19

1. Jesus was on the shore. John and the other disciples were in the fishing boat. Why do you think John recognized Jesus before the others? Discuss.

2. How important was Peter’s triple profession of love for Jesus? Would Jesus have entrusted his church to Peter without love being involved? Is this quality important in leaders in the Church today?

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"Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Easter, April 11, 2010 (2EasterC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings (Cycle C)
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Must you Confess before receiving Communion?

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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
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 5, Verses 12-16

A large number of people . . . gathered, bringing the sick
and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

1. What is the connection between all these life-giving miracles and the resurrection? Discuss the apostles’ missionary efforts in the light of “Power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 13:4). Do you want Christ to use you on behalf of others? If yes, what are the implications?

2. “They were all cured.” What are some signs and wonders of God’s healing love that you see today?

Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 1, Verses 9-11, 12-13, 17-19

1. Once, when John the Evangelist is “caught up in spirit,” Christ touches him and speaks to him. Are there others in history, “suffering for their faith,” who have received clear understanding and revelations? Can good things come from suffering?

2. John says he fell down “as though dead.” Christ, “who once was dead but now is alive,” touched him and raised him up. Does this vision give you strength to do good things? Are you part of what, in Christ’s words, “will happen afterwards”?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 20, Verses 19-31

1. Why do you think Jesus breathed on the disciples when he gave them the Holy Spirit? What effect did this have on the disciples’ fear? How about your fear, and every aspect of your life? What do forgiveness of sin and resurrection have in common?

2. How do you resolve your questions/doubts? What is your attitude toward people who, like Thomas, doubt some truths that you hold dearly? How did Jesus handle Thomas and his doubts?

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"They have taken the Lord from the tomb"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010 (EasterC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: What two sacraments did Jesus institute on Holy Thursday?

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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
The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 10, Verses 34, 37-43

1.“We are witnesses of all that he did.” What are some ways we can bear witness in our lives? Should we witness with more than words?

2. Peter is much stronger after the Resurrection than he was before Christ died. To what do you attribute this? Is the source of strength for Peter the same source for us?

Second Reading
Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians, Chapter 3, Verses 1-4

1. In chapter 3 of Colossians, Paul tells us to seek what is “above.” He says that we should put on heartfelt compassion. What does compassion look like in our immediate world and in the larger one?

2. Paul says we should let the peace of Christ control our hearts. How do you do that when you’re feeling confused or paralyzed with fear? Where do you find help with peace?

Gospel
Easter Vigil: Luke, Chapter 24, Verses 1-12
Easter Sunday: John, Chapter 20, Verses 1-9 or
Mark, Chapter 24, Verses:1-12 or
Luke 24:13-35 (afternoon or evening)

1. Were the women deterred from their task by fear? They stood with Jesus when he died, they came to anoint his body as soon as they could. Compare them with some of Jesus’ other disciples. Which is better? Are both ways what we could expect from human beings?

2. Why do you think the apostle John was able to “see and believe”? In the scripture passage from John 14:21, Jesus said “Whoever loves me . . . I will love him [her] and reveal myself to him [her].” Could this be the reason for John’s immediate understanding? Why would love help someone know a person, or know about them?

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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.