The stranger on the road to Emmaus takes the skepticism and curiosity of the disciples and weaves them into the fabric of the Scripture. Jesus challenges them to reinterpret the events of the past days in light of the Scriptures. During the meal He recreated the Last Supper. He took bread, blessed it and gave it to them. And they recognized Him in the breaking of the break, the first Christian name for the Eucharist.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2014 (3EasterA)
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 the Mass a Eucharistic Banquet or a Holy Sacrifice
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2, Verses 14, 22-33
1. Can you see how different Peter’s attitude is in this reading than it was during Jesus’ passion and death? To what do you attribute the change? Can you apply your answer to yourself? In other words, could such a change take place in you?
2. Through the centuries, certain Catholics and Christians have in fact condemned and even persecuted the Jewish people. Some have used Peter’s words as a reason: “This man . . . you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.” Do you see that in this reading that it was God’s plan for Jesus to die, and then to rise again, and that therefore the Jews remain the chosen people of God?
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 16: 1-2, 5, 7-11
1. This Psalm alludes to the resurrection of our Lord, who although He descended to the netherworld, came out freely, without undergoing corruption. Why do you think our Lord had to undergo this journey, and what does his rising unspoiled mean for us?
2. The psalmist refers to the Lord as his allotted portion and his cup. Do you see here a reference to the Lord as our source of blessings and salvation? Describe how you would apply the Lord's portion and His cup to your life.
Second Reading
First Letter of St. Peter, Chapter 1, Verses 17-21
1. In this quotation from the his first letter, Peter speaks of Christ as having been known before the foundation of the world!. Why has such an infinite one been revealed to us, according to Peter?
2. This Second Reading has been called a sermon on hope. Why do you think that is? Do you find it hopeful??
Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 24, Verses 13-35
1. Can you relate to any of these in the Gospel story: Confusion of the disciples? Inability to recognize Jesus? Desire to spend more time with a good friend? Sudden realization that the Lord is present?
2. Why were their hearts “burning within them” as they listened? Does your heart ever react to Jesus this way?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
In this psalm David expresses his joy
ReplyDeleteand enthusiasm
for a life lived in the presence of God.
The psalm is a prayer for safekeeping,
and David pleads with the Lord
to protect him from death --
“Keep me safe, O God; in you I take refuge.”
God (his Son the Christ)
is the source of our salvation.
So long as we choose God
and follow his Word,
we too will be offered
that allotted cup of blessings
that David refers to,
“Lord, my allotted portion
and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.”
But the psalm‘s final verses
are so powerful
that they prepare our way
for belief in eternal life with God.
Just as the Father
would not allow His Son’s body
to see the “pit,“
or be “corrupted” by death,
so too he will not abandon us
to the grave.
For David and for ourselves,
with the Lord as our refuge,
He will “show us the path of life.”
All we have to do is
to remember what the psalmist says –
“I keep the Lord always before me;
with the Lord at my right hand
I shall never be shaken.”
Amen