Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, June 3, 2012 (HolyTrinityB)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Sign of the Cross - what is its meaning?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
1.
Moses heard the voice of God from a burning bush. Where do you hear the
voice of God? In friends… the poor… newspapers… bishops… nature…
novels… music… your heart? Moses couldn’t imagine anything comparable to
the love God already had shown his people. What, in God’s plan of
salvation, was Moses not aware of?
2. In this Old Testament
reading can you find manifestations of God as Father (creator)? God as
Son (savior)? God as Holy Spirit (sheer love)?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 33: 4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22
1. Our Psalm Response this week is, 'Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.'
Do you believe that you have been chosen by God to be one of His children? Explain.
2.
Our psalmist speaks of preserving us in spite of 'famine.' Have you
gone through periods of spiritual hunger? How has your faith enabled
you to regain your strength and obtain nourishment?
Second Reading
Romans 8: 14-17
1. Besides revealing God’s being to us as endless and continuously
new love, the Spirit bears witness within each of our spirits. How do
you think your prayers of thanksgiving, petition and worship are changed
when the Spirit takes them and bears witness with them?
2. We
have been chosen as adopted children of God and joint heirs to all the
“treasures hidden in Christ.” What are the treasures hidden in Christ?
Which do you want the most? Which do you need the most?
Gospel
Matthew 28:16-20
1.
It seems that Jesus took away the disciples’ doubts about making
disciples of all nations. How did he do this? Have you ever thought
about “making disciples”? How would you make disciples in your family,
among your co-workers and your friends?
2. The Holy Spirit was
put in our hearts that “we might understand the things freely given by
God” (1 Cor. 2:12). But isn't the Trinity a mystery? What do we know
about the Trinity? How can you know the Trinity is real?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
Thursday
"Receive the Holy Spirit."
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012 (PentecostB)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings: Vigil Mass
Sunday Readings: Sunday Mass
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: What does the Holy Spirit do in your life?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
1. In the First Reading the Holy Spirit is given as tongues of fire accompanied by a strong driving wind. In the Gospel Jesus was in the disciples’ midst and gave them the Spirit too by breathing on them. Do you have an idea how there could be two different descriptions of this superatural event?
2. Did the Holy Spirit come only once in history, to the apostles and Mary in the upper room? Or do you see the Holy Spirit as dynamic and constant in every life? How were the disciples different after the Spirit’s arrival? Are you different when you are confident that the Spirit is with you? Explain.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
1. Our Psalm reminds us that we are dependent on the Lord for our very breath. Tell about what makes you aware of the 'divine Breath' in your life.
2. Our Sunday Psalm Response is, 'Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.' Is the Holy Spirit doing a work in you? Are you a 'new creation?' Speak about your baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Second Reading
Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
1. “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” Were Vivaldi and Michelangelo given gifts solely for their own pleasure? For whose benefit were they given? What are your gifts and for what benefit were they given to you and those around you?
2. St. Alphonsus Rodriguez was a Jesuit Brother (1533-1617), whose job for forty years was to answer the door of the Jesuit College in Majorca. Would his spiritual gift of service compare to that of St. Francis Xavier, who converted whole countries? How?
Gospel
John 20:19-23
1. Jesus “breathed” on them. How does this relate to Genesis 2:7, “God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life?” How is this significant for you? How important is the Holy Spirit to you?
2. Jesus said, “Peace be with you…,” and the disciples’ first task after receiving the Holy Spirit was to forgive sins. What impact does forgiveness of sin have on peace? Is it always easy to forgive? How peaceful do you feel when you experience problems with forgiveness?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012 (PentecostB)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings: Vigil Mass
Sunday Readings: Sunday Mass
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: What does the Holy Spirit do in your life?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
1. In the First Reading the Holy Spirit is given as tongues of fire accompanied by a strong driving wind. In the Gospel Jesus was in the disciples’ midst and gave them the Spirit too by breathing on them. Do you have an idea how there could be two different descriptions of this superatural event?
2. Did the Holy Spirit come only once in history, to the apostles and Mary in the upper room? Or do you see the Holy Spirit as dynamic and constant in every life? How were the disciples different after the Spirit’s arrival? Are you different when you are confident that the Spirit is with you? Explain.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
1. Our Psalm reminds us that we are dependent on the Lord for our very breath. Tell about what makes you aware of the 'divine Breath' in your life.
2. Our Sunday Psalm Response is, 'Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.' Is the Holy Spirit doing a work in you? Are you a 'new creation?' Speak about your baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Second Reading
Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
1. “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” Were Vivaldi and Michelangelo given gifts solely for their own pleasure? For whose benefit were they given? What are your gifts and for what benefit were they given to you and those around you?
2. St. Alphonsus Rodriguez was a Jesuit Brother (1533-1617), whose job for forty years was to answer the door of the Jesuit College in Majorca. Would his spiritual gift of service compare to that of St. Francis Xavier, who converted whole countries? How?
Gospel
John 20:19-23
1. Jesus “breathed” on them. How does this relate to Genesis 2:7, “God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life?” How is this significant for you? How important is the Holy Spirit to you?
2. Jesus said, “Peace be with you…,” and the disciples’ first task after receiving the Holy Spirit was to forgive sins. What impact does forgiveness of sin have on peace? Is it always easy to forgive? How peaceful do you feel when you experience problems with forgiveness?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature"
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, May 20, 2012 (AscensionB)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sunday Readings: Ascension of the Lord
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Why don't Catholics evangelize door-to-door?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 1: 1-11
1. Jesus was insistent that the disciples stay and wait for the Spirit he had been promising them. Why was his anticipation so high? Is there a relation between Jesus’ Ascension and the arrival of the Holy Spirit?
2. The disciples’ guesses were pretty far off about Jesus’ plan for them. Would yours have been too? Is your relationship with the Holy Spirit exciting or unnerving?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9
1. Over and over our psalmist calls for us to shout to God and sing praise to God, as God mounts his throne. Tell of how you personally praise the Lord with 'cries of gladness.'
2. The verses of our psalm for this Ascension Sunday place our Lord in his kingship and on his throne, and make it seem that God is so far above us that we may not be able to approach Him easily. How do you handle this apparent dilemma? How do you approach our Lord?
Second Reading
Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13
1. Why does God give certain people gifts? What gifts have you received? At the end of our lives will we be able to say this about our gifts, “See, God, I used them?”
2. Does our “maturing to the full stature of Christ” imply some growing pains? Where is Christ most recognizable in your life? In your humility? Gentleness? Patience? Care for the poor and needy? Is he unrecognizable anywhere in your life?
Gospel
Mk 16:15-20
1. Sometimes it’s hard to get to the end of your own city block. How are you going to go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature? Does preaching the Gospel to every creature relate to the sustainability of the Earth? How?
2. Jesus said signs would accompany those who believed. Most of us will probably not be picking up serpents with our hands and drinking deadly things without being harmed. What kinds of signs do you see now when you or someone else is proclaiming the Gospel in some way?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, May 20, 2012 (AscensionB)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sunday Readings: Ascension of the Lord
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Why don't Catholics evangelize door-to-door?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 1: 1-11
1. Jesus was insistent that the disciples stay and wait for the Spirit he had been promising them. Why was his anticipation so high? Is there a relation between Jesus’ Ascension and the arrival of the Holy Spirit?
2. The disciples’ guesses were pretty far off about Jesus’ plan for them. Would yours have been too? Is your relationship with the Holy Spirit exciting or unnerving?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9
1. Over and over our psalmist calls for us to shout to God and sing praise to God, as God mounts his throne. Tell of how you personally praise the Lord with 'cries of gladness.'
2. The verses of our psalm for this Ascension Sunday place our Lord in his kingship and on his throne, and make it seem that God is so far above us that we may not be able to approach Him easily. How do you handle this apparent dilemma? How do you approach our Lord?
Second Reading
Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13
1. Why does God give certain people gifts? What gifts have you received? At the end of our lives will we be able to say this about our gifts, “See, God, I used them?”
2. Does our “maturing to the full stature of Christ” imply some growing pains? Where is Christ most recognizable in your life? In your humility? Gentleness? Patience? Care for the poor and needy? Is he unrecognizable anywhere in your life?
Gospel
Mk 16:15-20
1. Sometimes it’s hard to get to the end of your own city block. How are you going to go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature? Does preaching the Gospel to every creature relate to the sustainability of the Earth? How?
2. Jesus said signs would accompany those who believed. Most of us will probably not be picking up serpents with our hands and drinking deadly things without being harmed. What kinds of signs do you see now when you or someone else is proclaiming the Gospel in some way?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
Wednesday
"This I command you: love one another."
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 13, 2012 (Easter5B)
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: Who is your neighbor?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
1. In the First Reading, the Holy Spirit goes beyond the baptized people to the unbaptized. Is grace available to all people? Do you listen to the Holy Spirit on a regular basis, or now and then? How does the Holy Spirit speak to you? What discernment process do you use on the communication between you and the Holy Spirit?
2. Are there some areas that are off limits or do you invite the Holy Spirit into every part of your life?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 98:1,2-3, 3-4
1. Our Psalm Response is, "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power." How has the Lord shown his saving power to you personally?
2. Our Psalm speaks of singing a new song, of singing joyfully to the Lord,
and we are urged to break into song and sing praise. What is it about your faith and the Easter season that makes you want to sing praise to the Lord?
Second Reading
1 John 4:7-10
1. How was “the love of God revealed to us?” Had Jesus not come into the world, what would you know about God?
2. After Jesus has come, what do you know about God? What was the message God sent through Jesus about God’s own self? What is your response to that message?
Gospel
John 15:9-17
1. The one thing Jesus asks of us is that we love our neighbor. How would you rate this assignment on a “difficulty” scale from 1-10? Explain. What gift (First Reading) does God give you to help with this assignment?
2. If you remain in Jesus and he remains in the Father, where does that put you? What do you have to do to remain there?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 13, 2012 (Easter5B)
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: Who is your neighbor?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
1. In the First Reading, the Holy Spirit goes beyond the baptized people to the unbaptized. Is grace available to all people? Do you listen to the Holy Spirit on a regular basis, or now and then? How does the Holy Spirit speak to you? What discernment process do you use on the communication between you and the Holy Spirit?
2. Are there some areas that are off limits or do you invite the Holy Spirit into every part of your life?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 98:1,2-3, 3-4
1. Our Psalm Response is, "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power." How has the Lord shown his saving power to you personally?
2. Our Psalm speaks of singing a new song, of singing joyfully to the Lord,
and we are urged to break into song and sing praise. What is it about your faith and the Easter season that makes you want to sing praise to the Lord?
Second Reading
1 John 4:7-10
1. How was “the love of God revealed to us?” Had Jesus not come into the world, what would you know about God?
2. After Jesus has come, what do you know about God? What was the message God sent through Jesus about God’s own self? What is your response to that message?
Gospel
John 15:9-17
1. The one thing Jesus asks of us is that we love our neighbor. How would you rate this assignment on a “difficulty” scale from 1-10? Explain. What gift (First Reading) does God give you to help with this assignment?
2. If you remain in Jesus and he remains in the Father, where does that put you? What do you have to do to remain there?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
Thursday
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower."
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 6, 2012 (Easter5B)
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: "What are the four marks of the True Church?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 9:26-31
1. What motivated Paul to speak out boldly? Think of examples of people who speak out to bring about changes in social justice. How does the “speaking out” impact the speaker’s life? Do their efforts bring about immediate change? Explain.
2. What cries out to you to be changed? Name some ways to “speak out” without using your voice?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 22: 26-27, 28, 30, 31-32
1. Our psalmist says, "I will fulfill my vows before those who fear the LORD." Does this verse inspire you to confirm your faith boldly and take up God's praise in the company of your fellow believers? Discuss.
2. The Psalm ends with an uplifting call for us to proclaim the Lord's truth to the next generation. Describe how you have answered the Lord's call and how you go about telling others about God's love.
Second Reading
Acts 9:26-31
1. St. John says to “walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” Where do you fit on a continuum between walkers and talkers?
2. What would your world look like if every day, you performed a kind deed for some unsuspecting person? Who would benefit from these acts?
Gospel
John 15:1-8
1. How could you use this Gospel to explain Paul’s actions in the First Reading? If you (the branches) remain in Jesus (the vine), whose life runs through you? What kind of fruit will you yield?
2. “And every one that does (bear fruit) he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” Have you ever felt like you were being “pruned?” Explain. At times do you have “dead wood” that needs to be pruned? Discuss.
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 6, 2012 (Easter5B)
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: "What are the four marks of the True Church?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 9:26-31
1. What motivated Paul to speak out boldly? Think of examples of people who speak out to bring about changes in social justice. How does the “speaking out” impact the speaker’s life? Do their efforts bring about immediate change? Explain.
2. What cries out to you to be changed? Name some ways to “speak out” without using your voice?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 22: 26-27, 28, 30, 31-32
1. Our psalmist says, "I will fulfill my vows before those who fear the LORD." Does this verse inspire you to confirm your faith boldly and take up God's praise in the company of your fellow believers? Discuss.
2. The Psalm ends with an uplifting call for us to proclaim the Lord's truth to the next generation. Describe how you have answered the Lord's call and how you go about telling others about God's love.
Second Reading
Acts 9:26-31
1. St. John says to “walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” Where do you fit on a continuum between walkers and talkers?
2. What would your world look like if every day, you performed a kind deed for some unsuspecting person? Who would benefit from these acts?
Gospel
John 15:1-8
1. How could you use this Gospel to explain Paul’s actions in the First Reading? If you (the branches) remain in Jesus (the vine), whose life runs through you? What kind of fruit will you yield?
2. “And every one that does (bear fruit) he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” Have you ever felt like you were being “pruned?” Explain. At times do you have “dead wood” that needs to be pruned? Discuss.
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
