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.
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1. The Psalm says, 'Lord, every nation on earth will
ReplyDeleteadore 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.
Reflections
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
This Psalm is a prayer for our newborn King.
Our psalmist speaks of a Messiah
who will be like the “rain coming down upon the fields,
like showers watering the earth.”
Our psalmist prays that our newborn King
will be anointed by God with divine judgment
and empowered to rule the earth.
Isaiah in our 1st reading predicts that the light of the Lord
will cause our hearts to overflow
and the riches of the sea to be emptied out before us.
Our psalmist also speaks of “abundance”
that will flourish in the king's days.
But the Messiah is among us
to do more than bless us materially;
the savior has come to make our burdens easy,
to share our afflictions.
We see the light,
just as the prophet Isaiah said we would.
In the Psalm, the mystery is revealed to us,
poor in spirit though we are:
“He rescues the poor when they cry out [as we do],
the oppressed who have no one to help.”
This is what our Good Shepherd Jesus is sent to do,
to shepherd God’s people.
This is why we join the Magi in paying homage
to our newborn King and join with our psalmist in singing,
"Blessed be the Lord; Blessed be his glorious name."
Amen