"You cannot serve God and mammon."

The Gospel set before us this Sunday continues Christ's teaching as given in the Sermon on the Mount. The extract today is all about Divine Providence. In our modern consumerist society it is a teaching that is frequently neglected, even by devout Christians.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mar. 2, 2014 (8A)
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: Do we adore "Bling?" more than God?

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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 Isaiah, Chapter 49, Verses 14-15

1. “The Lord has forsaken me.” When did Jesus say this? Why do you think he endured it? Can you relate to this misery? Is abandonment a feeling or a fact?

2. The second half of the reading is God’s response: comfort to the forsaken. How do you feel when God compares himself with a nursing mother? What do the two halves of this reading say to you when you put them together?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 62: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9

1. Why do you think the psalm stresses repeatedly the words 'alone' and 'only?' Is there any other alternative for us as a place to rest or a stronghold in our lives?

2. What do you think is meant by the verse, "I shall not be disturbed at all?" What is it that disturbs us in our lives and how do we deal with it?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 4, Verses 1-5

1. How do the motives of our hearts relate to being good stewards of the gospel? What do you think the motives of our hearts should be?

2. Compare “then everyone will receive praise from God,” from this reading with “but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given you besides,” from the Gospel.

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 6, Verses 24-34

1. Do you think the concern in this Gospel reading is about possessions or about inordinate attachment to them? What might you “seek” if you were not worrying about material things all the time?

2. Fr. John Shea suggests that this Gospel offers two scenarios: “(1) understand and inhabit your life as an anxious project for future physical survival or (2 ) understand and inhabit your life as a present gift sustained by God prior to any human activity to secure it.” What happens to the concerns of (1) if you choose (2)?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your thjoughts on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
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"If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 13, 2011 (6A)
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: Is Divorce a sin according to the Catholic Church?

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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 15, Verses 15-20

1. Which do you choose, life or death; good or evil? Do you always know which is which? Why did God give us free choice?

2. Are the “eyes of God are on those who fear him”? Does he “understand man’s every deed”? If so, shouldn’t we be frightened? Or is God one who forgives and loves even sinners?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 119: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34

1. How is Jesus the fulfillment of the "law" referred to throughout the Psalm? (Refer to this week's opening Gospel verse Matthew 5:17)

2. What actions could you take to follow God's laws more closely? A daily examination of conscience, perhaps?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 2, Verses 6-10

1. Discuss the beautiful scene in nature that you like best, or your favorite painting, or your most preferred music. Take your time. Now read from the Second Reading what St. Paul tells us God has prepared for those who love him. Can you sense something of will be?

2. How is it that the Spirit can scrutinize the depths of God? Discuss ways in which the Spirit scrutinizes you.

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 17-37

1. The purpose of the law was given at Sinai: “You shall be holy as I am holy.” How does Jesus fulfill this law? Why would Jesus want to show us what it means to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect?” (Mt 5:48)

2. One of the ten commandments says “You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.” Is Jesus replacing this commandment when he says “Whoever is angry with brother will be liable to judgment”? How is it possible not to be angry? Will God forgive anger?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments below. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

“You are the salt of the earth."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 6, 2011 (5A)
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: What commandments require restitution?

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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 Isaiah, Chapter 58, Verses 7-10

1. What does binding the wounds of others have to do with your own wounds? Who benefits when people share their bread or shelter the homeless? Explain

2. What makes “your light break forth like the dawn?” In this reading does God say what will let this happen? Is it a new idea for you that there is a connection between your sorrow and those of another?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

1. The Psalm talks about the 'just' person. How do we become 'just' in the eyes of the Lord?

2. The Psalm speaks about a gracious lender, one who conducts his affairs with justice, one who lavishly gives to the poor. According to the Psalm, what inspires us to have a generous heart?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 2, Verses 1-5

1. In human terms is there any way the crucifixion can triumph over sin and death? What allows us to see beyond appearances? Why did Paul want our faith to rest on the power of God instead of elaborate arguments?

2. Was Paul salt and light? How?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 13-16

1. Do salt, light, and a city set on a mountain have anything in common? Do they exist for themselves? What is Jesus saying to us with these metaphors? Could they relate to social justice? Explain

2. What determines the degree of saltiness or brightness? How would a person improve the quality or become more a person for others?

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.