Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Ascension Sunday, June 5, 2011 (7EasterA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Ascension Sunday Readings
Sunday Mass Readings, 7th Sunday of Easter
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Why don't Catholics evangelize door to door?
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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
Ascension: Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 1, Verses 1-11
7th Sunday: Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 1, Verses 12-14
1. (Ascension:) Were the two men in white garments angels or just men? They interpreted the ascension to the disciples: do you think they really understood what was going on? Do you? On whom did the disciples depend for understanding? On whom do we?
2. (7th Sunday:) Did you receive the Holy Spirit once for all time at Confirmation? Or is the Spirit dynamic and new all the time? Discuss.
Responsorial Psalm
Ascension: Psalm 47:2-3. 6-7, 8-9
7th Sunday: Psalm 27:1,4,7-8
1. (Ascension:) This Psalm is traditionally applied to the ascension of our Lord. Do you think the verses are appropriate for our Lord's ascension, even though they were written in pre-Christian times? Explain.
2. (Ascension:) The Psalm says, 'God mounts His throne to shouts of joy.' If God is so far above us, how do we maintain a relationship with Him? How is it possible that He is still among us?
Second Reading
Ascension: St. Paul to the Ephesians, Chapter 1, Verses 17-23
7th Sunday: First Letter of St. Peter, Chapter 4, Verses 13-16
1. (Ascension:) If you had your choice would you avoid all suffering? The Holy Spirit is sometimes called the Comforter. Does the Spirit comfort you when you suffer? Do you let in comfort?
2. (7th Sunday:) God gave Christ “the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.” What is this fullness? What kind of fullness would you like to have in your life?
Gospel
Ascension: According to Matthew, Chapter 28, Verses 16-20
7th Sunday: According to John, Chapter 17, Verses 1-11
1. (Ascension:) “Behold, I am with you always. until the end of the age.” Jesus said this after telling the eleven to make disciples of all nations. What do these words mean to you? Do you ever think of them when you are in trouble?
2. (7th Sunday:) The Father entrusted the good news of salvation to Jesus and he in turn entrusted it to his disciples. What are the implications for you?
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.
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“God mounts His throne amid shouts of joy....”
ReplyDeleteThis week we celebrate the ascension of our Lord,
who was taken up to heaven
to be seated at the right hand of the Father,
far above every principality,
with authority over every nation,
as our 2nd reading tells us.
With such an awesome God on His throne,
what hope do we have as mere human beings
that he will have anything more to do with us?
How far away can you get if this Jesus is taken up to heaven
and has all things put beneath his feet (including us)?
Fortunately, for us men,
Jesus leaves with us
a way to share in His divinity,
through the holy Spirit which he gives to us.
His power and presence remain with us,
so long as we repent from our sins and believe in Him.
That same promise Jesus made to his disciples
is available to us – the promise of the Father,
the gift of the holy Spirit.
After Jesus' ascension, the disciples begin
their active ministry empowered by the holy Spirit.
That same power is given to us
so long as we believe – we too are called to ministry.
And for that we are inspired to praise the Lord ,
as the psalmist says, “Clap your hands,
shout to God with joyful cries ... sing praise to God!”
Amen