Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sep. 1, 2013 (22C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Do you invite the poor to your banquet?
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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 Sirach, Chapter 3, Verses 17-18, 20, 28-29
1. The Latin word humus meant “earth.” Use this meaning as a springboard and make up your own definition of humility.
2. Name someone you think as a truly great person. Is that person humble? What does humility look like in them?
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 68: 4-5, 6-7, 10-11
1. Our psalmist speaks of a 'bountiful rain' from the Lord, showering down upon us. Tell of how you have been restored by God's living water when you were parched and thirsty for His presence.
2. The Psalm says that God 'leads forth prisoners to prosperity.' Have you been set free from sinful habits or worldly attachments by the Lord's healing hand? Explain.
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 12, Verses 18-19, 22-24
1. Aren’t you glad we are not coming to gloomy darkness, a storm, or a blazing fire? But what is this city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering? What is the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven? What do you feel in these words?
2. What does it mean to say that Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant? What is the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel?
Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 14, Verses 1, 7-14
1. Do the poor, crippled, lame and blind have a “right” to enter the banquet? Who do they represent in this parable? Does anything cripple you or make you blind?
2. Discuss the fact that Jesus experienced all our human pain along with us in order to help us get to the banquet. Do you feel any responsibility to help other people get there?
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“God, in your goodness, you
ReplyDeletehave made a home for the poor.”
Our psalmist sings a tribute to our
sovereign God, who makes a home
for the poor in spirit. Though we may
be forsaken, or neglected, or alone with
no one to care for us, our God prepares
a home for us. It is as Jesus tells us,
“In my Father’s house there are many
dwelling places. If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going
to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2)
Being poor in spirit implies that one is humble,
and does not exalt himself. In our Gospel this
Sunday, our Savior reminds the Pharisee within us
that the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
And in our 1st reading from Sirach, we are told to
conduct our affairs with humility, “Humble yourself
the more, the greater you are, and you will find
favor with God.”
Our psalmist assures us sinners too that God
will lead us out of whatever sinful habit is holding
us captive. “He leads forth the prisoners to prosperity.”
Like the 'bountiful rain' showered down upon us,
God restores us and provides for our needs.
For all that God does for us, as the Psalm says,
we are to “Sing to God, chant praise to His name!”
Amen