Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 11, 2013 (19C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
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.--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Book of Wisdom, Chapter 18, Verses 6-9
1. What gave the Israelites the courage to begin their journey into the unknown desert land? Are you certain enough of God’s covenant with us that you can carry out a “leap of faith”? How do you make smaller leaps, maybe hops, of faith in your everyday life?
2. Besides their covenant with God what else do the Jewish people celebrate in this reading? How does the reading look ahead?
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 11, Verses 1-2, 8-19
1. God promised Abraham that he would have many descendants. What do you think Abraham was thinking about during his nightmare test offering of his only child? How is your trust? Can you relate to this story in any way?
2. Abraham was called to an unknown country. Do you feel you are on uncharted faith-ground sometimes? Who helps you with certainty and responsibility in these unmapped areas of faith? Why would God ever call you to unknown places? What tests your faith?
Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 12, Verses 32-48
1. Jesus promised his disciples (and us) the kingdom. What is the treasure? What do you have to do to make it yours? In the parable the master knocks on the door and expects the servant to be waiting for him and let him in. Will you be ready when Jesus knocks on your door? How might you prepare to make sure you are always ready?
2. “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” What does that mean to you? Where do you want your heart to be?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
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.
Reflections
ReplyDeletePsalm 33: 1, 12, 18-19, 20-22
“The eyes of the Lord are upon those
who fear Him, to deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.”
The Lord's eyes are upon us because
we hold Him in awe, we praise Him.
Like a Good Shepherd He protects us
from harm; He puts up a hedge around us
and provides us with armor in our battle
against death and the evil one. He feeds us
when we go through periods of spiritual
hunger. He nourishes us and gives us our
daily spiritual bread.
Where else would we turn for deliverance
from death, the kind of death which is a
consequence of sin? Remember, 'the wages
of sin is death,' and we are all afflicted.
Fortunately for us, Christ destroyed death
and brought life to us.
We would be dead in our sins without
the Lord's protection, defeated by the evil one
without the Lord's armor. And when our heart
is starved for God's presence, when our bones
are dry, He nourishes us and breathes life into
our dry bones.
It is through His divine plan that we are saved.
Our own feeble efforts count for nothing.
We must be submissive and abandon ourselves
to His will and His grace. Because Christ humbles
Himself for our sake, there is hope for us,
even in our time of spiritual famine. That is the
meaning of the verse, “Lord, let your mercy
be on us, as we place our trust in you.”
Amen