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.
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The Lord reveals to us very clearly how to live a life that is "happy" and full of peace. Verse 2 plainly states, "Happy those who observe God's decrees, who seek the Lord with all their heart." And just like the psalmist from hundreds of years before Christ, we also pray "May my ways be firm in the observance of your laws!" (Verse 5)
ReplyDeleteHowever, with man's sinful nature, we fall far short. God never intended to justify anyone through the Law of Moses. Rather, the law shows us where we are sinful, and how we are redeemed from those sins through Jesus Christ. If we are not sure where sin lurks in our lives, then our prayer becomes the words in Verse 18: "Open my eyes to see clearly the wonders of your teachings." The closer we walk with the Lord, the brighter he shines his goodness into the darkest corners of our minds and hearts. And it's exactly the purity of our innermost thoughts and motives that matters most to the Lord. Even the Scribes and Pharisees were good at following the law with their actions. The gospel asks us to delve further than that, and make following the law about the condition of our inner selves.
Amen