Thursday

"I am the gate.Whoever enters through me will be saved."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 15, 2011 (4EasterA)
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 Christians perform the sign of the cross?

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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
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2, Verses 14a, 36-41

1. The people listening to Peter’s sermon were “cut to the heart” with remorse. What cuts you to the heart? The listeners asked, “Brothers, what should we do?” What action did they take? With what kinds of actions do you respond?

2. Define conversion. Is conversion a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Explain. Who needs conversion? Does conversion involve only a change of behaviors?

Responsorial Psalms

Psalm 23: 1-6

1. If you are one of his sheep, your shepherd will guide you beside restful waters, according to the Psalm. Do you think the analogy of sheep and shepherd is a good one to apply to the relationship your have with the Lord? Why?

2. It is said that David wrote this Psalm on his deathbed. Do you believe the Psalm would be a source of peace for a person facing death? If so, why?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Peter, Chapter 2, Verses 20b-25

1.Christ’s innocence and lack of vengeance show us what God’s love is like. Does he leave you an example to follow? How can suffering be an occasion of grace?

2. Peter is referring to a kind of suffering that is inflicted on a person for doing something good. Give examples in which this has been the case. Have you had this experience?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 10, Verses 1-10

1. Flocks would recognize the sound of the shepherd’s voice and come to him, ignoring other shepherds’ voices. In your life can you discern which “voice” belongs to the Good Shepherd? Which of the following is your favorite comparison of Christ to a good shepherd: calling by name, recognition of voice, following the shepherd, not following strangers, shepherd as the gate?

2. The shepherd gathers his sheep into a secure place with one opening and no door. He protects the sheep by lying across the gateway. Is Christ, the Good Shepherd, like this? Can you feel the security of being guarded in this way?

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