Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 5, 2010 (2AdvAC)
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
BQ: Did John the Baptist go straight to heaven upon his death?
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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 11, Verses 1-10
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 8, 2013 (2AdvAC)
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
BQ: Did John the Baptist go straight to heaven upon his death?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 11, Verses 1-10
1. “The earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord.” Von Balthasaar says this is a “drenching of the entire being with the inner understanding of what God is.” Discuss this idea. How does this relate to peace in the reading?
2. You received the gifts of the Holy Spirit in baptism: wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence and wonder and awe in the presence of God. How do these relate to the peace in your heart?
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
1. This Sunday's Psalm speaks of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is to be endowed by God as a just King. Describe how you will make room for the Lord in your life so that He may govern how you conduct yourself this Advent season.
2. Our psalmist writes about the profound peace that will flourish when the Messiah arrives. Tell of how you will receive the Lord's peace during Advent and how this will affect your life.
Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 15, Verses 4-9
1. Would Paul be giving the same advice to the Church today that we read in this letter? For instance, do you welcome or accept others with whom you differ? According to Paul, how does God extend mercy to those who know nothing of the covenant?
2. There are people with whom you disagree. How easy is it to “think in harmony” with them? Why think in harmony with them instead of just going along with them, or being nice, or acting like you agree with them?
Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 3, Verses 1-12
1. Compare John’s baptism of repentance with Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. What is that fire? What does it do?
2. Is the fire within you a conflagration or does it look more like a pilot light? What can you do during Advent to gather some kindling for your fire?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
The Psalm is Solomon’s prayer for the King, the Messiah who is to come.
ReplyDeleteHe is to fulfill all the hopes placed upon him by the prophets.
And 'the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,'
as Isaiah says beautifully in our 1st reading.
Only the expected Savior can receive from God
the wisdom and judgment to govern the people with justice (Psalm Verses 1, 2).
The Messiah brings great prosperity
and rules the promised land from sea to sea (Verses 7, 8).
We Gentiles are included in our Savior's promises,
as St. Paul makes clear in our 2nd reading.
Our Savior rescues us when we cry out and when we are oppressed.
He saves us when we are poor in spirit (Verses 12, 13).
And how does he do this?
The Gospel tells us that Jesus came to baptize us with the Holy Spirit –
all we have to do is confess and repent to be forgiven.
Having been baptized,
we are empowered to bear fruit, and we will want to praise him.
And the psalmist confirms this:
Verse 17 -- “May his name be blessed forever;
As long as the sun may his name endure.”
Amen
“May He rule from sea to sea, and
ReplyDeletefrom the River to the ends of the earth.”
Our psalmist (Solomon) speaks about a
perfect king – a king who judges like God,
governs His people with justice, His afflicted
with right judgment. The psalm's verses speak
of a king that is to live as long as the sun endures,
like the moon through all generations.
The more we read the Psalm, the more it tells us
about the Messiah to come – “May all kings bow
before him, all nations serve him.” He is to fulfill
all the hopes placed upon Him by the prophets.
And, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,”
as Isaiah says beautifully in this Sunday's 1st reading.
Only the expected Messiah can receive from God
the wisdom and judgment to govern the people with
justice. The Messiah brings great prosperity and
rules the promised land from sea to sea.
The Psalm's verses recall for us our Savior's
promises, to rescue us when we cry out and save us
when we are oppressed. He lifts us up when we are
poor in spirit.
We see the light -- the Messiah is revealed to us Christians
as Christ our King. “May His name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun His name shall remain.”
Amen