Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Dec. 29, 2013 (HolyFamilyA)
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: Should Catholics be offended by the term "Xmas?"
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Book of Sirach, Chapter 3, Verses 2-6, 12-14
1. Why is the honoring of parents inseparable from gratitude towards God? Explain.
2. Why do you think Sirach says that good things happen to you when you honor your parents (prayers heard, sins atoned, long life made happy by children)?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
1. The Psalm Response asks us, "Let the Lord enter; He is the king of glory." How do you prepare yourself during Advent so that the king of glory can enter your heart?
2. Our psalmist speaks of a people that seeks the Lord, that seeks the face of God. Describe what you are doing to seek out the Lord in your family and in your community.
Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, Chapter 3, Verses 12-21
1. “Over all these put on love.” What is the only thing God asks of us? What happens to people when they are loved? What kinds of things would disappear off the face of the earth because they wouldn’t be necessary if everyone loved his/her neighbor?
2. In his letter to the Colossians St. Paul gives some ideas about how we can love each other and live in harmony. Have compassion, kindness, humility, patience, bear with one another, and forgive each other. Is this easy? How are we doing with Paul’s assignment as Church? How are you doing with it in your life?
Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 2, Verses 13 –15, 19-23
1. Does Joseph have second thoughts about leaving his job, dwelling or possessions when the angel tells him to take the child Mary and flee to Egypt? What was the only thing that was important to him?
2. Through Christ we are all united to God the Father and this makes us one family. Would you be willing to act for your family as Joseph did? How far will you step out of your comfort zone for people other than your immediate family? Name some ways you can insure the safety or well being of your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share 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 about the blessings God will bestow
ReplyDeleteon the man who has a right relationship with God.
And walking in the ways of the Lord
will be reflected in the way a man treats his wife.
Because if a man cherishes his wife,
as ‘flesh of his flesh’
and ‘bone of his bones,’
he nourishes his relationship with her,
as Christ nourishes the Church.
And the man’s reward is that his wife
will be like a ‘fruitful vine’ within his house.
This is how a man is blessed who fears the Lord.
Having received the blessings promised in the Psalm,
it is entirely natural that a man cleaves to his wife.
God made them one flesh, and
‘What God has joined,
no human being may separate.’
Amen
“Blessed are those who fear
ReplyDeletethe Lord and walk in His ways.”
Our psalmist tells us that a man who
has a right relationship with the Lord
will also obtain a right relationship with
his wife and his family. If we have a right
relationship with the Lord, we will know
how to treat our wife and our children,
and in turn, we will discover how blessed
we are in our home and by the presence of
our family. “Just so will the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.”
And if a man walks with the Lord, this will
be reflected in the way he loves his wife.
Because if a man cherishes his wife,
as ‘flesh of his flesh' and ‘bone of his bones,’
he nourishes his relationship with her,
as Christ nourishes the Church.
And the man’s reward is that his wife will be
like a ‘fruitful vine’ within his house. This is
how a man is blessed who fears the Lord.
Having been so favored by God, we understand
why, 'A man shall leave his father and mother
and cleave to his wife.' God made them one flesh,
and, 'What God has joined, no human being
may separate.'
If we fear the Lord and walk in His ways, we will
receive the blessings of our labor, prosper in a
material way, and grow old gracefully in the
company of our family.