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.
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This Psalm inspires us to
ReplyDeletehave a right relationship with the Lord
(becoming 'upright'), and having done so,
having delighted in God's commands,
we begin to imitate Him and treat our
brothers and sisters as He would do.
"Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just."(Verse 4)
Those are heavenly qualities (being gracious,
and merciful and just), and having God's
light in our hearts inspires us to do good works,
to "give to the poor lavishly." (Verse 9)
And as we measure out a good and generous measure,
our measure is returned to us many times over,
and as the Psalm says, we will be lifted up
from within -- our "horn shall be exalted in glory." (Verse 9)
Amen