"The kingdom of God is at hand for you."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 4, 2010 (14C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Who is 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
Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 66, Verses 10-14

1. Salvation history started in the Old Testament, moved through the New and continues today. Do you think God’s love changed over all this time or is it the same? Why do you say so?

2. Compare Jerusalem in this reading with the Church today. What treasure has the Church received from God that gives her children great comfort?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, Chapter 6, Verses 14-18

1. “For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision.” Some people wanted to follow the ancient practices. Paul did not. Can you relate to this kind of problem in your home? Your work? Your Church?

2. St. Paul looks at the circumcision situation from the perspective of “the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” Can you envision problems in today’s Church from that point of view? Standing vs. kneeling, women vs. men, inclusive language or not, and which style of music is played?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 10, Verses 1-12, 17-20

1. Jesus sent seventy-two disciples out because at the time there were seventy-two known nations. What would such symbolism mean in our times? Are you one of the people sent out?

2. Jesus sends us “like lambs to the wolves, without money, backpacks or sandals.” In what ways are you a laborer in this abundant harvest? What happens when a lamb meets a wolf? If you are the lamb, then who are the wolves he sends you out to? Is there anything good about being without money?

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"Follow me"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 27, 2010 (13C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
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
First Book of Kings, Chapter 19, Verses 16, 19-21

1. What was Elisha doing when he was called? Can you think of other bible stories where God called people from their jobs? Does God call you to change your everyday life? Do you ask him to let you go back home?

2. Were the people whom God called to be prophets highly educated and socially elite? What are God’s prerequisites for prophets, then? What would your issues be if you were a prophet today?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, Chapter 5, Verses 1, 13-18

1. “For you were called for freedom.” What is the source of this freedom? Do you have it? How is it a freeing experience to go out of yourself to love your neighbor

2. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” St. Paul says. Do you love your neighbor? Do you have actual love for yourself? Do you ever “bite and devour” yourself and others? If so, what are some ways the Holy Spirit can help you?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 9, Verses 51-62

1. “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Do you have a place to lay your head? Then how can be like Jesus if you live well? Are material things too important to you?

2. James and John wanted “to call down fire from heaven” to consume the Samaritans, and Jesus rebuked them for it. How do you control your own anger or your resentment? After reading this Gospel what is it that you think Jesus wants from you?

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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.

“But who do you say that I am?”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 20, 2010 (12C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: What is the communion of Saints?

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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 Zechariah
Chapter 12, Verses 10-11; Chapter 13, Verse 1

1. Who is prefigured in this reading from the book of Zechariah? Another part of the reading says that God will pour out a spirit of grace and petition on the people. How is this related to the death of the pieced one?

2. Do you forgive other people if they “repent,” or do you demand more? Are there people you have offended and whom you need to ask for forgiveness? Has your country pierced individuals or groups of people? How about the Church? Is there anything can you do about the latter two?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, Chapter 3, Verses 26-29

1. What happens to traits like gender, color, race, social status, sexual orientation and allegiance to points of view different than our own in the baptismal garment?

2. There are some people who for one reason or another do not “put on Christ.” Does Christ redeem them too? Do you think God sees you praying for the ones you love who may have “taken Christ” off for a while? Maybe they are still connected as long as you’re holding on to them. Discuss.

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 9, Verses 18-24

1. Why did Jesus ask his disciples whom they thought he was? Does he ask this of you as well? Why? Is this a way to help his followers be a part of the kingdom?

2. Are there any implications for you if you know who Christ is and what his mission is about? If picking up your cross is a formidable task, do you have to think of all the years to come, or could you just pick up today’s cross?

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.

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 13, 2010 (11C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: What is the communion of Saints?

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

First Reading
Second Book of Samuel, Chapter 12, Verses 7-10, 13

1. Is there a lesson in the story of the great king David’s lust and his killing of Uriah the Hittite? Does that lesson apply to you? Is there any sin too heinous for God to forgive?

2. What about Uriah’s family? How hard would it be for them to forgive David? How hard is it for you to forgive wrongs done to you? How hard is it for God to forgive? How hard was it for Jesus?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, Chapter 2, Verses 2-16, 19-21

1. St. Paul says, “I live by faith in the son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me” Why do you think Jesus gave himself up for us? Why would he want to live in you?

2. Can your good works be holy? What makes them so? If Christ is living in you, are you just a shell that he uses to do his works? Or do you live in the flesh by faith in the Son of God?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 7, Verses 36-50; Chapter 8, Verses 1-3

1. Compare and contrast the Pharisee with the weeping woman. Do you think he had stereotyped her? Do you stereotype people?

2. Did the woman love Jesus because he had loved her first and had forgiven her sins? Or do you think she loved him first and in response he forgave her sins? To say it another way, does love follow forgiveness? Or does forgiveness follow love?

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.