Today's Scripture readings for the first Sunday of Lent immerse us into the depths of this penitential season. The readings and today's Psalm 51 sound overtures of the great themes that we will hear and live over the next six weeks.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
First Sunday of Lent, Mar. 9, 2014 (Lent1A)
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 you Confess before you receive Communion?
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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 Genesis, Chapter 2, Verses 7-9; Chapter 3, Verses 1-7
1. Would it be a better world if humans did not have the freedom to choose? Knowing that people would not always resist the temptation to choose evil, why would God ever give the human race free will?
2. After their sin Adam and Eve wanted to cover their bodies. They did not want to be seen as they really were. Is it easy to be honest about faults? If you do become honest about your failings, in the proper circumstances, what is the next step then?
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17
1. During this Lenten season, how will your life show sincere repentance? What do we learn from David's example?
2. What concrete steps will you take to resist the temptations the Enemy throws your way? Why not commit to memory (and obedience) some power verses that work for you?
Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 12-19
1. “To ransom a slave, you gave away your son.” Could God have redeemed us some other way? Why do you think God would go to this extreme to save us?
2. Christ represents all of humanity before God and his obedience outweighs humanity’s sins or disobedience. Explain what this mean to and for you?
Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 4, Verses1-11
1. Jesus’ temptation was to deny his divine mission. How does it make you feel to think he had to fight temptation the same way you do?
2. What desert images hold Lenten meanings for you? What part did the Spirit play in this gospel story? What part will you let the Spirit play in your Lent this year?
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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As Adam and Eve fell to temptation in the Garden of Eden (first reading in Genesis),
ReplyDeleteso too has David, our psalmist.
David is sincerely sorry for committing adultery and murder, two heinous acts
which separated him from our loving Father.
He pleads with the Lord, "Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness;
in your abundant compassion blot out my offense." (verse 3).
We are reminded here that no sin is too big for God to forgive.
And when we do fall into deep patterns of sin, we must realize that our wrongdoing
isn't only against other people, but ultimately, it's rebellion against the Lord himself.
"Against you alone have I sinned..." (verse 6) is how David acknowledges this fact.
We can follow David's example further by looking at verse 12 where he boldly asks,
"A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit."
The Lord is the source of cleanliness and purity of heart.
God wants to have a close relationship with us,
but unconfessed sin will always get in the way.
We must not only confess our sins openly and sincerely,
but we must work at "restoring the joy in your salvation" as mentioned in verse 14.
Once we have such a solid foundation with God the Father,
no strong assault from Satan will penetrate.
We can have that very same "steadfastness of spirit"
that David asks for and that Jesus shows in the Gospel.
Amen