Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 19, 2012 (20B)
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: Who can receive Communion?
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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
Proverbs 9:1-6
1. What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Do you employ sensitivity and intuition along with knowledge when handling a difficult situation?
2. This reading talks about a meal that brings us to the fullness of life. Our food becomes part of us and helps us grow and repair our cells. What are the implications for wisdom and the Eucharist?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7
1. The Psalm reminds us of the power of the Eucharist. We must taste the goodness of the Lord if we want to be delivered from all our fears. Speak of how the Eucharist raises you up physically and spiritually.
2. Our psalmist encourages us to 'glorify the Lord' and to 'let our soul glory in the Lord.' Explain how your faith has enabled you to draw closer to God by being filled with the Spirit.
Second Reading
Ephesians 5:15-20
1. “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” What are some ways you can show love in your daily life other than greeting your unsuspecting neighbors with songs?
2. The reading tells us to give thanks always and everywhere. If giving thanks for painful situations is too difficult, what might be some other ways to handle them?
Gospel
John 6:51-58
1. When people love each other they want to be together. Explain “Whoever eats my flesh remains in me and I in him.” in this light. Stating it many different ways, how many times did Jesus suggest that the crowd to do this in Sunday’s Gospel?
2. When we eat his body and drink his blood we all come together and remain in the same Jesus. Discuss this statement from the theologian, Catherine LaCugna, in God for Us:
“God lives as the mystery of love. Human beings are created in the image of this God. Therefore, a life of integrity is impossible unless we also enter into the dynamic of love and communion with others.”
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your thoughts on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
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“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”
ReplyDeleteWe visit this encouraging psalm
again this Sunday perhaps because
the Lord wants us to participate fully
in the Eucharist and we need to
hear it again. Why are the same verses
repeated? Perhaps because they reinforce
so well the powerful message of the Gospel,
in which Jesus tells us that if we are
to be raised up with Him, we must eat
of His flesh and drink of His blood.
Perhaps because we struggle with
what Jesus says, as the Jews did at the time.
We are told that even the disciples
had difficulty accepting Jesus' words.
The message is simple, as our psalmist
reminds us – we must taste the goodness
of the Lord if we are to truly allow our soul
to glory in the Lord. Wisdom invites us too
to obtain life by eating of her food in our 1st reading.
And St. Paul (2nd reading) cautions us
not to get drunk on wine, but be filled
with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms.
We are to feed on Jesus if we are to have life;
if we eat His flesh and drink His blood,
we will live forever. It is His humanity
that enables us to eat of His flesh and His blood.
And it is by the grace of God that we are thus
able to obtain a share in His divinity.
This is far more that our ancestors' manna.
This is truly the bread of life.
By sharing in His body and blood,
we glorify the Lord, and as our psalmist says,
we become 'radiant with joy.'
Our faces no longer blush with shame;
we are a new creation. The Lord is among us.
We remain in Him and He remains in us.
Amen