Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 6, 2011 (32A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Must we believe the Church 100% to be Catholic?
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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 Wisdom, Chapter 6, Verses 12-16
1.
In this reading people are looking for Wisdom at the same time that
Wisdom is searching for them. What does your “wanting wisdom” do for
your “receiving wisdom”? Explain the following line from the reading:
“…whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he
shall find her sitting by his gate.”
2. Consider and discuss the
following statement by theologian and liturgical writer, Aelred Rosser:
“Wisdom is that elusive attribute that enables us to see beyond the
surface of things into their depths, to see as God sees, and therefore
to see God.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 63: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
1. Our psalmist is thirsting for the Lord. Have you also gone through a
time in your life when your soul is 'parched' and 'lifeless.' Describe
how the Lord satisfies your spiritual thirst.
2. Our psalmist
says he shouts for joy in the 'shadow of God's wings.' What does it
mean to you to be in the 'shadow of His wings?'
Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 4, Verses 13-18
1. Would you live differently if you thought the “end time” was
right around the corner as the Thessalonians did? What would change?
2.
Those who are alive will be caught up together with Christ and with
those who have died. Does the fact that we are going to be “caught up”
as a people or as a community in Christ have any implications for you
now?
Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 25, Verses 1-13
1.
Jesus’ parable is about being watchful and well prepared. How can you
do this yourself? Is the “Be watchful” assignment just for people over a
certain age, or people who have gotten bad news from their doctors?
2.
When you watch for God in your life do you sometimes “doze off”? What
kinds of things cause you to to lose interest or stop “watching”? What
exactly are you watching for? How does this reading relate to the First
Reading about Wisdom?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please comment on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
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“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”
ReplyDeleteThis prayer of longing was written at a time when
David was in the desert, a place where physical
thirst was all around him and the earth was
parched, lifeless and without water.
But David is writing also about a spiritual thirst
that overwhelms him and reminds him
of the emptiness of life without God.
David meditates on those happier moments when
he was close to the Lord, when his soul
was satisfied as with the riches of a banquet,
and when he took shelter in the shadow of
the wings of God.
We too go through times of spiritual deprivation
when we walk away from God and indulge in
sinful practices that separate us from God.
At those times, like a penitent sinner, we
experience our deepest longing for the love of
the Lord, and we seek out his loving embrace.
As our psalmist says, at times like that our soul
clings fast to the Lord, we bless him, we glorify him,
we praise him.
Amen