"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday In Ordinary Time, Jan. 22, 2012 (3B)
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: Sanctity of Life - "Protection of Life or Celebration of holy power of Life?"

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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
1 Samuel, Chapter 3, Verses 3-10, 19

1. Jonah says, “God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way.” Jesus says (in the Gospel reading): “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” What do Jonah’s and Jesus’ announcements have in common? To whom were their announcements made?

2. What was God looking for in the Ninevites? What is God looking for in you? Does God call you to conversion once or over and over again? Why?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

1. Our psalmist petitions the Lord to 'Teach me your ways.' How do you go about learning the ways of the Lord? Tell how the verses of the Psalm help you understand the ways of the Lord.

2. Our Psalm says the Lord 'shows sinners the way.' Give an example of how you have been guided by the Lord to turn away from sin and repent.

Second Reading
I Corinthians, Chapter 7, Verses 29-31
1. Do you think the message in this reading is how to prepare for the next life or how to be happy in this life? Does putting your security in the goods of this world make you happy? Paul says, “Let . . . those using the world [act] as not using it fully.” Could this be a recipe for happiness?

2. Does your culture help or hinder your detachment from possessions (many toys, many gadgets, many messages advertising the security that “things” bring)? Explain.

Gospel
Mark, Chapter 1, Verses 14-20

1. Can we separate the message of Jesus from the person of Jesus, or is he the message? What about Jonah, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Micah?

2. What was it that allowed James and John, Simon and Andrew to drop their nets so readily when Jesus called them? Is there something that keeps you from readily answering Jesus’ call? What is it?

Sunday Bible Study Group
Please reflect on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. 
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"We have found the Messiah"

In this Sunday's Readings - Second Sunday In Ordinary Time (2B), January 18, 2015 - John the Baptist looks hard at Jesus and says, ‘Look there is the Lamb of God.’ The two disciples with him immediately follow Jesus. Our Discussion Questions below will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Jan. 18, 2015 (2B)
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: Do you applaud after the homily?

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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
1 Samuel, Chapter 3, Verses 3-10, 19

1. Does God always "call" at the perfect time? Is there confusion sometimes when God calls? It took Samuel three times to get it right; do you always recognize God's call right away? Explain.

2. Samuel was a young boy at the time of this reading. But aren't the most experienced sages always the ones called to do God's work? Which category do you fit into? "Experienced sage"? "Young child"? What is God calling you to do?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

1. In this beautiful Psalm our psalmist speaks of waiting, waiting for the Lord. Tell what it means to you to have waited for the Lord, and what has been the result of your presenting yourself to the Lord?

2. Our psalmist is delighted to do God's will; he says to God, "your law is within my heart!" Have you also felt the Lord's pleasure when you obey him and serve him? What does it mean to you to say God's law is within my heart?

Second Reading
1 Corinthians, Chapter 6, Verses 13-15, 17-20


1. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?" How is your awareness of the Holy Spirit within you? Does it help you show reverence for all the people in your life?

2. Do you call on the Holy Spirit for guidance? Do you get it? Explain. Do you receive some peace along with the guidance? Does the Holy Spirit enjoy, indeed, wait to be called upon for help?

Gospel
John, Chapter 1, Verses 35-42

1. Jesus asked, "What are you looking for"? What do you think he meant? How would you answer that question?

2. The second loaded question, "Where are you staying," could be restated, "Where can we spend time with you?" Do you spend time in the presence of God? Did the disciples find what they were looking for when they spent time with Jesus? What was that? Will it work for you?

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

"Where is the newborn king of the Jews?"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
The Epiphany of the Lord, Jan. 8, 2012 (EpiphanyB)
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: Why don't we invoke saints from the Old Testament?

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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 the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 60, verses 1-6

1. Even though darkness covered the earth, light and glory had come to Jerusalem. Isaiah wanted to make the Israelites to know this. Are there still “dark” areas in the world today? Where? Who will take the light to them? Can God’s light guide you in your own darkness?

2. Does Jerusalem have any light of her own? Are nations coming to her or to the light? What do you think draws people to the Church today? What is the source of the Church’s light? Do you know some people who give off this light? If so, describe them.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

1. The Psalm says, 'Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.' Using the verses of the Psalm, explain why 'all kings' would want to pay homage to our Lord.

2. Our psalmist mentions 'afflicted ones' and 'the afflicted' in two of the Psalm's verses. Are there times when you can identify yourself as an 'afflicted' one? Tell what remedies are available to you that are mentioned in the Psalm.

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, Chapter 3, Verses 2-3, 5-6


1. Just what was this manifestation that brightened the whole world? Why was a star an integral part of the story (the one that led the wise men from foreign lands)?

2. “It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed…by the Spirit.” When did people first learn that it was God’s plan to save all creation and not just a chosen people? Why does God reveal things to people little by little? How does God work in your life?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1-12

1. God sent the Wise Men a message that caused them to ride camels half way across the known world. Would you ever put this kind of effort into something? What was worth this kind of a search for them? For you?

2. Compare Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Compare Herod and the Magi. What does this say about the places and people God chooses?

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