In anticipation of the celebration of Christ the King, which marks the end of the Liturgical Year, this Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, we will hear Jesus’ prediction of the events that will occur prior to his glorious reign (Luke 21: 5-19). Here, he calls for perseverance and witnessing.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 17, 2013 (33C)
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: Should Catholics join Protestant Bible Studies?
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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 Malachi, Chapter 3, Verses 19-20a
1. “Fear of the Lord,” one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, is now called “Wonder and Awe in the presence of God.” Compare and contrast these two images. Which do you prefer? Which image gives you a better understanding of this reading?
2. Name some ways that justice heals. Is there any kind of healing through justice you would like to bring about in the world?
Responsorial Psalms
Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9
1. The Psalm speaks about the Day of the Lord, when He will come to rule the earth with justice. Are you ready for the Lord's coming? Speak about how you are preparing for it.
2. Our psalmist writes about those who dwell in the world shouting for joy before the Lord, when He comes to rule the earth. Explain how you will sing praise to the Lord and sing joyfully before the King, the Lord.
Second Reading
Second Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians,
Chapter 3, Verses 7-12
1. According to Paul the Thessalonians were disorderly busybodies, always eating each other’s food. How does your community/family/parish stack up next to them? How would you have written Paul’s letter? How do you think your community would receive it?
2. What drove St. Paul to “work in toil and drudgery, night and day?” He had pen and paper, boats, and walking shoes. What helps would Paul have had access to today to aid him in his ministry? What do you think his ministry would have looked like with these aids? What do you do to help bring about the kingdom?
Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 21, Verses 5-19
1. Do you think persecution is a rare occurrence or an ever-present reality for the Church? Why? Where are Christians being persecuted today? Do you think God uses your suffering in conjunction with Christ’s to help renew the face of the earth?
2. What gifts does God give you to help you get through tough times?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share in the comments box below your reflections on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
This Psalm is about the coming of God,
ReplyDeleteand the promise is made that when the Lord comes,
he will govern the earth with justice.
“The Lord comes to govern the world with justice
And the peoples with fairness.” (Verse 9)
We may say that the judgment day is near.
Jesus spoke also about judgment,
and although the Psalm is about the joy of the Lord’s coming,
there may be reason for anxiety on our part.
Malachi too warns us that the day is coming
when evildoers will be set on fire and become stubble.
Do we need to be afraid of the Lord’s judgment?
Malachi assures us that if we fear the Lord,
“The sun of justice will arise with its healing rays.”
The Psalm repeatedly tells us to be joyful about the Lord’s coming;
to sing praise to the Lord (Verse 5);
to shout with joy to the Lord (Verse 6).
And the psalmist has a more positive message
than St. Paul does or than the Gospel does.
It is perhaps a more positive outlook for us
as we struggle not to be idle (as St. Paul cautions us).
and face those who hate us because of our faith. (Gospel message)
We are not alone, the Psalmist assures us,
“Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.” (Verse 8)
Amen
The Psalm is about the coming of God,
ReplyDeleteand the promise is made that when the Lord
comes, he will govern the earth with justice.
Scripture teaches us that we do not know when
the Lord will come, and we are warned to be ready
because it may happen like a thief in the night.
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus speaks about the
day of judgment, when awesome sights and mighty
signs will come from the sky and when the disciples
will be hated by all because of His name.
Although the Psalm is about the joy of the Lord’s
coming, there may be reason for anxiety on our part.
The Book of Malachi warns us that the day is coming
when evildoers will be set on fire and become stubble.
Should we be afraid of the Lord’s judgment?
One thing is sure—we need to be ready, to prepare
to face the arrival of God. We do not know when that
day may come; some in our generation doubt that
day will come at all. For those who have put their
trust in the Lord, and attempted to apply His teachings
toward others they meet in the course of their day,
there will be rejoicing and praise. For others who
have slacked off and found fault with their neighbors
and have not lifted a helping hand, shame and destruction
may be at hand. After all, we are called to be caregivers;
we are indeed our brother’s keeper.
“The Lord comes to govern the earth.”
We may not always welcome someone who comes
to rule over us. Or to judge us. But the Lord brings
His “healing rays.” He is after all the “sun of justice.”
The Book of Malachi assures us that if we fear the Lord,
“The sun of justice will arise with its healing rays.”
There is hope for us, as we struggle not to be idle,
and face those who hate us because of our faith.
Our Lord liberates us from whatever holds us back
or drags us down. And we kick up our heels like
“calves being released from the stall.”
The Psalm repeatedly tells us to be joyful about
the Lord’s coming; to sing praise to the Lord;
to shout with joy to the Lord. We join with our
surroundings, “Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.”
Amen