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.
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“I praise you Lord, for you raise me up …
ReplyDeleteyou kept me from going down into the pit.”
God is in the business of healing;
as our 1st reading says,
God did not make death,
nor does he rejoice
at the destruction of the living.
His “Divine favor lasts a lifetime.”
Just as that little girl in this Sunday's
Gospel is saved from death,
we too are able to be saved
from going down into the pit,
by the grace of God.
We too are eligible
for a spiritual resurrection
if our faith is strong.
We may be rebuked by God
for disobeying Him.
We are, after all, his wayward children,
and he loves us as a Father loves his own.
God's compassion and mercy
are with us not only in this life,
but in eternity.
“Divine anger lasts but a moment;
divine favor lasts a lifetime.”
Our Lord Jesus himself
was raised up from the pit by the Father,
even though He bore the weight of our sins.
God’s anger over the sins of all men
that Christ took upon himself,
lasted but a moment.
The joy of resurrection comes to us at dawn,
after a terrible night, as it came
to those early followers of Jesus.
“At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.”
And that alone is reason enough
to change our “mourning into dancing,”
“to clothe us with gladness,”
We are prompted
to “sing endless praise to the Lord.”
“O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks.”
Amen