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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Our Psalm is about God’s unfailing love
ReplyDeleteand his gentle guidance that is available to us.
All we have to do is trust him and humble ourselves,
and he will lead us back to the right path --
“Make known to me your ways, Lord;
teach me your paths.”
Our psalmist David humbly
offers up his sins to God his savior,
and waits for God’s guidance.
“The Lord guides the humble rightly,
and teaches the humble his way.”
In the Gospel for this Sunday
the early disciples leave their nets
and their families behind
when Jesus calls out to them.
Jesus had a plan for his disciples,
as he singled them out to serve him.
God had a plan for Jonah as well (lst reading );
his mission was to warn the people of Nineveh
to repent and turn to the Lord.
St. Paul in our 2nd reading
has a similar message for all of us,
that time is running out and
any day now would be an acceptable day for us
to focus on our own salvation.
The Lord is there to guide us,
as he was in the days of David,
when he wrote the Psalm.
David has it right when he says
‘Good and upright is the Lord,
who shows sinners the way.’
Whether it's through a Jonah
in our midst or through the
teaching of St. Paul (time is running out),
the message of the Lord is clear –
“Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
We can't necessarily do this on our own,
but as our psalmist says,
'the Lord shows sinners the way,'
just as he did that day
by the sea of Galilee when he called those
early disciples to follow him.
The Lord is talking to all of us here;
we are all sinners.
We are all able to benefit
from the healing power of Jesus.
And where does the power come from
to turn away from sin?
It comes from the Lord, who “shows sinners the way.”
It is He who encourages us when our tongues confess –
“Remember no more the sins of my youth;
remember me only in light of your love.”
Amen