Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 16, 2010 (AscensionC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings (Seventh Sunday Easter C)
Sunday Readings (Ascension Sunday)
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: What are the 5 reasons we pray?
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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 1, Verses 1-11 (Ascension)
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 7, Verses 55-60 (Seventh Sunday)
1. What are the parallels between Stephen and Jesus? What made Stephen able to witness with his blood? Have you ever received a grace to do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do? Discuss times when you have seen this kind of thing happen.
2. What does “witness to the ends of the earth” mean to you? Do you “witness” in any way? Do people today witness anything “to the ends of the earth”? What?
Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians Chapter 1, Verses 17-23 or
Letter to the Hebrews Chapter 9, Verses 24-28; Chapter 10, Verses19-23 (Ascension)
Book of Revelation, Chapter 22, Verses 12-14, 16-17, 20 (Seventh Sunday)
1. We do not yet experience Christ’s coming completely even though he comes to us in the sacraments and word. Think of some times or instances in your life where an appropriate plea to God would be, “Come, Lord Jesus”.
2. How does Christ’s sacrifice differ from “the high priest’s, (who) enters the sanctuary each year with blood that is not his own”?
Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 24, Verses Luke 46-53 (Ascension)
According to John, Chapter 17, Verses 20-26 (Seventh Sunday)
1. What was the promise of the Father that Jesus spoke of? Who brings Jesus’ message and mission to completion in us and in the world? The Holy Spirit? Do you listen for the Spirit’s message to you personally?
2. Jesus actually said of the disciples, “Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me.” Are there people you think of as “gifts” to you? How can we reside with Jesus now that he is in heaven? Is there a way in which you reside with him? Who else does?
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.
What made Stephen able to witness with his blood?
ReplyDeleteI have had that kind of courage in my heart and soul before. It was when I was a missionary in a place in the world where life and death were intimately intermingled through daily violence. There was no fear. I often had to answer for my position and my inner convictions about faith. In those moments, God was the deepest and strongest reality for me. It was as though my ego didn't exist, only God. I can understand Stephen and all the other martyrs who came before and after him. I'm sure that many other missionaries can vouch for the same experience.