"Little girl, I say to you, arise!"

In the Readings for Sunday, July 1, 2012, Jairus, the Synagogue official was in a panic.  His little 12 year old daughter was dying.  The worst possible thing a parent can experience was about to take place. He pleaded with Jesus.  Jesus rushed with him to care for the girl. We encourage you to engage your family, friends or church groups and talk about this. And please do use these Discussion Questions as your Bible study guide.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 1, 2012 (13B)
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: Do you Cry at Funerals? Why?

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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
Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24

1. “For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him.” What in humankind’s nature is made in God’s own image? Is it true of all of humankind or just Christians?

2. God’s love and presence transform all of human existence, says theologian Karl Rahner. Discuss this statement of his: “Humans remain always graced by an inner dynamism thrusting toward the God who calls and gives Godself.”

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 30: 2, 4-6, 11-13

1. Our psalmist praises God for having rescued him and brought him 'up from the netherworld.' Tell about how you have been saved from your enemies, the devil and his companions.

2. The Psalm says that the anger of the Lord lasts but a moment. Have you been rebuked by the Lord? If so, what did you learn from this, and in what way are you grateful for being corrected by the Lord?

Second Reading
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15


To which do you think the myriad poor people in the world respond better, a wealthy God or a poor God? Explain. With which do you feel more comfortable? Why?

2. How do you feel when you share some of your gifts or wealth with those less fortunate? Ask yourself what your own real wealth might be.

Gospel
Mark 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

1. The woman with the hemorrhage had a condition unacceptable to the culture of the time. What did she risk when she joined the crowd to touch Jesus’ garment? What did Jairus risk? Does your faith involve you in risk-taking? Explain.

2. Are there still people today who are shunned because of diseases? Are women still oppressed in harsh cultures? Do children die because of malnutrition and disease in third–world countries? What kinds of miracles or what small acts can you perform in Jesus’ name to alleviate the suffering?

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.

"John is his name."

In the Readings for Sunday, June 24, 2012, we hear the story of the birth of John the Baptist. We encourage you to engage your family, friends or church groups and talk about this. And please do use these Discussion Questions as your Bible study guide.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist,
June 24, 2012 (JBaptistB)
 
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings - Vigil Mass
Sunday Readings - Mass duruing the day
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Did John the Baptist go to heaven right after death?

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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
Isaiah 49:1-6

1. This reading is about the servant Israel who was chosen to be a beacon for all nations to see and be drawn back to God. Explain why this reading was chosen for today.

2. “For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb.” The servant in this reading was called by God before he was born. Do you think God knew you before you were born? Do you think God will be with you as you make all your life choices? How might you be part of the plan to help salvation reach the ends of the earth?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 139: 1-3, 13-15

1. Our Psalm response is, "I praise you, for I am wonderfully made." Do you believe that you are created by God to do His will, that you are made for a purpose? Explain.

2. Our psalmist says, "O Lord, you have probed me, you know me." We cannot hide anything from our God; He is familiar with all our ways. Are you convicted by these words? Are there sins you commit that you would prefer to keep in the dark, or on a side porch, away from God's knowledge? In what way are you grateful for the scrutiny of the Lord?

Second Reading
Acts 13:22-26
1. Repentance draws people back into right relationship with God. How is John’s baptism of repentance different from Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit?

2. What in this reading tells you John was a humble man? Did John direct people’s attention to himself or to Jesus? What was John’s whole life and ministry about? What is your ministry about?

Gospel
Luke 1:57-66, 80

1. Was John chosen before he was born, as was the servant in the first reading? Zachariah doubted Gabriel’s words that Elizabeth would bear a son. How are you with insights from the Holy Spirit? Do you trust them? Do you act on them or dismiss them?

2. Compare Jesus’ and John’s birth announcements by the angels. John was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. Judging by his actions when he came out of the desert, what do you think he was doing while he was in the desert? Anthony de Mello, S.J. said “Peace is only found in yes.” In light of Zachariah’s experience, can you explain de Mello’s words?

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. 
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"For we walk by faith, not by sight"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 17, 2012 (11B)
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: 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
Ezekiel 17: 22-24

1. What are the similarities between the “tender shoot” in this parable and the mustard seed in the Gospel? “Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.” What do you think of when you read this?

2. Jesus referred to the “least” becoming the “greatest” numerous times. How is Jesus’ life an example of this? Can you think of others who follow(ed) this example?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 92: 2-3, 13-14, 15-16

1. "Lord, you are holy indeed. It is right to give you thanks and praise .... " are familiar words to any Mass-goer. How do you sincerely give thanks to the Lord in your daily life?

2. How can you become more like the upright palm tree or the majestic and firmly-rooted Lebanese cedar? Do others see you as a just and righteous person through your everyday speech and actions? What can you change about yourself so that you, too, can "bear fruit even in old age?"

Second Reading
Corinthians 5: 6-10


1. “Walk by faith, and not by sight.” What does that mean to you? Paul mentions courage twice in this reading. Why would we need courage to walk by faith? What other virtues might we need?

2. Discuss Hans von Balthasar’s comment on this reading: “Paul’s confidence is constant, regardless of the current spiritual weather patterns in his life or in that of his congregation. ‘We walk by faith.’”

Gospel
Mark 4:26-34

1. What is the farmer’s job in both of these parables? What is God’s job? Could you ask yourself the same two questions about your ministry…your job and God’s job? Can you trust God to do God’s job?

2. While the man sleeps and rises night and day the seed sprouts and grows, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. Are such accomplishments due to human beings, technology or the rules of the Kingdom of God?

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. 
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"Take it; this is my body."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 10, 2012 (CorpusChristiB)
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: Do you really believe in the True Presence at Mass?

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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
Exodus 24:3-8

1. This reading describes an ancient sacrifice having to do with blood. What is the meaning of the term, “signing in blood”? Why is blood so significant in these ceremonies? Why was it used to seal solemn agreements? Is there a relationship between blood and life? Between blood and death?

2. What kinds of covenants or solemn agreements have you made? What do your agreements tell you about God’s covenant with the Israelites?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 116: 12-13, 15-16, 17-18

1. Our psalmist asks, "How shall I make a return to the Lord or all the good he has done for me?" How do you go about repaying the Lord for your salvation?

2. Per the Psalm, we are obliged to pay our vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. In what ways do you continue to express your love of the Lord in your faith community?

Second Reading
Hebrews 9:11-15


1. In the Old Testament the high priest entered the Holy of Holies every year on the Day of Atonement to compensate for the sins of the people. Is this the reason that Jesus is the ultimate high priest?

2. St. Paul says that Jesus would cleanse our consciences from dead works in order to worship the living God. What do you think constitutes “dead works”? Are there any such things in your life?

Gospel
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

1. Do you think the Eucharist was part of the Father’s plan? What does it mean to you? Can you carry the Eucharist within you to other people? Give an example.

2. The disciples probably didn’t understand what Jesus was doing at the Last Supper, but they trusted him absolutely. Where do you go when you need help with trust? The Holy Spirit? Books? Priest? Friends?

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. 
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