Wednesday

"Be vigilant at all times"

We prepare to celebrate the anniversary of the Coming of Christ on the first Christmas Day and we look back into history and reacquaint ourselves with the stories of how Jesus came to be born. You could call this his First Coming. We also look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time and that’s what our Gospel text today points to. And we are encouraged to put our lives in order and be ready to face judgement.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 2, 2012 (1AdvC)
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: What is Holiness?

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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
Jeremiah 33:14-16

1. Advent is a process of looking back at Christ’s birth and the inauguration of his kingdom on earth and looking forward to it fulfillment. What does Advent awaken in you? Does anything in your daily life interfere with your Advent spiritual preparation?

2. In this reading Jeremiah reminds people of the Lord’s promise to them. How does that promise relate to hope? Why is Advent called the season of hope? Why is hope vital to your life? What would your life be like without hope? What can you do to bring hope to people you know?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

1. Our Psalm response this Sunday is, 'To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.' As we begin the season of Advent, speak of how you are raised up spiritually by the coming arrival of our Lord.

2. Our psalmist petitions the Lord to make known His ways and teach us His paths. Tell of how you have been shown direction by the Lord along the path of life.

Second Reading
1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

1. St. Paul says that the same Jesus who lived and died and rose from the dead is present and active among us now making us increase (in numbers) and abound in love for one another and for all. How do you think “increasing in numbers” correlates with “abounding in love for one another and for all”?

2. St. Paul said he “abounded in love” for the Thessalonians to strengthen their hearts. Discuss “abounding in love” as an effective method of strengthening hearts or eliciting change of any kind. Do you think great change or growth ever happens without immense love?

Gospel
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

1. Could much of this Gospel have been written today (roaring sea, drowsy hearts, dying of fright, anxieties, carousing, tribulations)? Jesus tells us to pray for strength. Do you believe that if you ask for strength you will receive it? Could God send it through other people? Could you be a source of strength for others?

3. Jesus is God’s Last Word to us (Christ’s Incarnation). Discuss this idea.

Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your thoughts online on the Sunday Readings. And please do use these questions for your own Bible study sessions with family and friends.

"My kingdom does not belong to this world."

The liturgical year ends with the Solemnity of Christ the King. In John's poignant trial scene of Pilate and Jesus (18:33-37), we see a great contrast between power and powerlessness.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
The Solemnity of Christ the King, Nov. 25, 2012 (ChristKingB)
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: Is Superstition a Sin?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Daniel 7:13-14
1. Compare and contrast Jesus’ kingdom with countries that have powerful political organizations. List objectives of each. How would they each define “service,” “ransom,” and “bloodshed”?

2. What things hold power over you in your life? Are they good things or would you like to see them lose some of their hold?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 93: 1, 1-2, 5

1. Our psalmist proclaims, "The Lord is king, robed with majesty, girded with might." Yet our Lord Jesus did not seek a kingdom belonging to
this world. Where do you find the kingdom of the Lord? How do you reach our mighty Lord?

2. The Psalm says that the Lord's throne stands firm and is everlasting. In what way do you gain strength from this verse?

Second Reading
Revelation 1:5-8

1. Christ “has made us into a kingdom of priests for his God and Father.” The Jerusalem Bible says that in union with Jesus, the messianic priest, we will consecrate the universe to God as a sacrifice of praise. How can you consecrate (make holy) the universe to God?

2. Does the universe include areas of your life or world that previously you might have considered outside the realm of the “holy”? Discuss.

Gospel
John 18:33b-37


1. What truth did Jesus’ life, death and resurrection reveal about the Father’s love for the world? To whom was the message revealed? Why was the “King of the Jews" written in the three world languages of that time?

2. As king, what do you think Jesus’ demands are of the people in his kingdom? What do you think he requires of you? What does “to testify to the truth” mean? Could testifying to the truth have some difficult consequences for you at times? Explain.

Sunday Bible Study Group

Please share your thoughts online on the Sunday Readings. And please do use these questions for your own Bible study sessions with family and friends.
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Thursday

"But of that day or hour, no one knows."

We now move close to the end of the Liturgical Year and the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 25. As a prelude to this celebration, the Gospel for Sunday (Mark 13:24-32) speaks about the “second coming.” The passage uses apocalyptic imagery, which uncovers some deep and important messages to help us understand and prepare for this glorious event: “The Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

This Gospel story is taken from the most difficult chapter of Mark's Gospel (13:24-32) and is often interpreted as announcing the end of the world. Mark 13 is often called the "little apocalypse." Like Daniel 7-12 and the Book of Revelation, it focuses on a world of persecution. When we take the chapter as a whole, we will be able to see that we are dealing with the theme of meaning rather than chronology.

You will find all of the Sunday homilies we have compiled for you this week at this link. You can also read our full coverage of this week's Catholic world by clicking here. We will be back next week with our regular edition of your Catholic Living Today.

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief
BURNING QUESTION: What is the World?
FEATURED BLOG: Hope in God
PASTORAL HISPANA: Que piensa Jesus sobre el fin del mundo?

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"But of that day or hour, no one knows."

We now move close to the end of the Liturgical Year and the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 25. As a prelude to this celebration, the gospel for Sunday (Mark 13:24-32) speaks about the “second coming.” The passage uses apocalyptic imagery, which uncovers some deep and important messages to help us understand and prepare for this glorious event: “The Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 18, 2012 (33B)
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: What is the World?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Daniel 12:1-3

1. Can you think of people you have known or known about who have died and are now part of the “cloud of witnesses”? If so, what keeps their memories alive for you? Which of their qualities would you like to emulate in your life?

2. Theologian Hans Urs Von Balthasar says the purpose of “end times” is to “make people conscious of the ultimate decision of man for God and God for man.” Where do you stand in your ultimate decision for God? Do you feel that God will take care of you if you consistently try to make decisions in God’s favor?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 16: 5, 8, 9-10, 11

1. Our psalmist says that he will not be shaken or disturbed so long as the Lord is with him at his right hand. Speak of how the Lord enables you to be strong, so that your faith cannot be shaken.

2. The Psalm says that the Lord will show us the path to life. Explain what this verse means to you.

Second Reading
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

1. Compare and contrast ancient priests and their repeated sacrifices with Jesus and his one sacrifice? How do the many celebrations of the Eucharist fit into the one-sacrificial event?

2. Jesus won redemption for us. Does he just hand it to us? What part do we have in it? Does God ask you for sacrifices? How can your sacrifices help anything?

Gospel
Mark 13:24-32

1. “The Word of God will not pass away.” List the things in your life that you will be happy to pass along some day. Is there anything in your life that you do not want to pass along?

2.What will you take along when you die? Is there any correlation between love and the Word of God that does not pass away? Is there anything you can you do to stretch your capacity to love?

Sunday Bible Study Group

Please share your thoughts online on the Sunday Readings. And please do use these questions for your own Bible study sessions with family and friends.
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Tuesday

"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more."

We can say that one theme in the readings today is that of giving of oneself totally and not just giving something we have over, having looked after our own needs. For someone who is well-off it is relatively easy to contribute something to worthwhile causes like famine relief or helping the education of children in poorer countries etc., and that is very good indeed. We may find it easy to give time and attention to the family but much more difficult to give ourselves fully. So the call to us as Christians is not only to give something but also to give ourselves.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 11, 2012 (32B)
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: What is Conscience?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------

First Reading
1 Kings 17:10-16

1. The widow is asked to give away the last bits of flour reserved for her final meal. As a result she receives a jar of flour that doesn’t ever go empty—but she didn’t know that when she gave her last bits away. What kind of a leap of faith would such an action require? Is there any way you can relate to this situation?

2. God rewarded the widow in this reading. Are there usually rewards for helping others? How does one develop a habit of giving? On a scale of one to ten, rate your ability to give.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 146: 7, 8-9, 9-10

1. Our psalmist promises that the Lord will secure justice for the oppressed and set captives free. In what ways have you been imprisoned, and how has the Lord set you free?

2. The Psalm says the Lord gives food to the hungry. Describe how the Lord has given you real food and drink to satisfy your hunger for a closer relationship with Him.

Second Reading
Hebrews 4:12-13

1. Two widows make sacrifices, one in the First Reading and one in the Gospel. Compare Christ’s sacrifice with these.

2. What did God the Father give away?

Gospel
Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44

1. Why does Jesus direct the disciples’ attention to this widow giving her last pennies? Is reward mentioned in this reading? Do you think she will get any reward?

2. Why would the widow give her last coins away? Does Jesus’ comment explain why? Can you do what she did? How close can you come?

Sunday Bible Study Group

Please share your thoughts online on the Sunday Readings. And please do use these questions for your own Bible study sessions with family and friends.
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Thursday

"There is no other commandment greater than these."

After hearing about Bartimaeus’ faith last Sunday, our Lord now brings us to its important dimension: love, which is the root and the goal of faith. This is what He indicates in His reply to the question of the scribe in the Gospel reading on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 from Mark 12:28-34: love is the “first of all the commandments.” Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

"With all your heart, soul, and strength"


A nice hotel in Jerusalem looks much like a nice hotel in just about any other city in the world but for one thing. At the entrance of each room there is a small metal cylinder called a mezuzah that protrudes from the doorjamb. Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio says it contains a tiny scroll containing a verse from this Sunday’s First Reading: “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

This is the the beginning of the great Shemá ("Hear, o Israel", the prayer Jews recite three times a day. It contains the most basic tenets of Judaism: belief in one God and obedience to Him in love. Fr. Alex McAllister SDS reminds us that we Christians believe the same. There is nothing left out —no part of us exempt from loving God. This is an obligation that cannot be filled by merely coming to Mass on a Sunday or muttering a few prayers now and again.

God calls us to be one person, totally committed to Him in every aspect of our lives. We are to love him with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength. Fr. Joseph Pellegrino says that is integrity. Fr. John Foley, S. J. explains further God has always loved all people in the world, throughout the entire bible. But if you are close to God, this love must spill over to other people. So, of course, the question is, what is your life made of, and to whom does it spill over?

Christ Unites Love of God & of Neighbor

In the Old Testament, love for God and for neighbor were separate entities. Christ, however, unites them. And our Lord does this, Fr. Omer Prieto explains, using the word ‘love.’ He says the love active in Christians is not simply human love, but theological charity which has two subjects, the human and the divine. The Sacerdote Institute makes it clear. Christian love is not simply philanthropy or “being nice.” And it can be really easy to deceive ourselves. If we really want our love to be divine, we have to transcend the natural and contemplate our neighbor from the perspective of God’s love, thus loving him in relation to God and because of God.

And just how is this love of God fulfilled? In a very practical way, a way that is open to every man and woman. The "Way" of Christ is in the keeping of the commandments, Father Cusick explains.

The Realization of God's Plan


The marvel of Jesus' Gospel is that while it is admittedly difficult to put into action, its simplicity allows it to be understood even by a young child. Fr. James Gilhooley tells us that Exegesis is not required. Christ's Gospels remind us we can have a hundred pounds of dogma while not having an ounce of salvation.

With the disclaimer that the divine-human reality cannot fully be contained by human concepts, Fr. Campion P. Gavaler, OSB explains that the kingdom of God seems to include three principal aspects: (1) God's plan and saving presence in history, not as a tyrant, but to invite all of us to loving communion in divine life; (2) the human acceptance of the divine gift through conversion in childlike faith and gratitude; and (3) the realm of life with God in and through the Church, fully to be realized only at the end-time.

So is it possible for us to respond by loving God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, all our strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves? It is possible only if we remember through the gift of faith that God in every moment of our life loves us with a total, personal love. Then why be good if God loves us no matter what? What difference does our response make? Our response makes a big difference, Fr. Ron Rolheiser tells us. But not in terms of giving God offense, driving God away, or making God punish or reward us. It makes a difference in how we stand and feel in the face of love. We cannot offend against God, but we can offend against others and ourselves.

All Saints Day, All Souls Day

The Church celebrated All Saints Day yesterday, November 1. And in Proposition 23 of the recent Synod of Bishops, the Synod Fathers asserts a message that is in perfect harmony with the feast -- that the Saints are "effective models" for the New Evangelization. "Holiness is a significant part of every evangelizing commitment for the one who evangelizes and for the good of those evangelized," it states. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Ph.D. adds his own reflections. He says Holiness is not about what you do but with how much love you do it. So that means spending all our time in chapel? No, he says it means doing daily, ordinary things with extraordinary love.

During the Synod, Pope Benedict led the Church as it welcomed seven new saints into our midst. It was an event witnessed by the over over 80,000 people in attendance. And just how can we be sure that these new saints are truly in heaven? Fr. Tim Finigan says it is a theologically certain doctrine that the canonization of a saint is an infallible act of the Church's magisterium. And he sets down some of the useful arguments that have been used by theologians over the ages.

The Year of Faith

On October 11, our Church began the Year of Faith. And there is this one overriding objective desired by Benedict XVI -- to bring men back to the one true God and to depose from their thrones the false divinities that dominate the world. Sandro Magister points out that the pontiff, during his Wednesday weekly public audiences, has set out to explain the "Credo"  article by article.

And here's one way of bringing Faith Formation to the parish level. Fr. James Mallon, founder and director of the John Paul II Media Institute, makes his point that the New Evangelization should be founded on a spirit of mission, not only in the formation of those within the Church, but those who have yet to discover the person of Jesus Christ. Jennifer Fulwiler shares another instance of how her parish drew people to God - through beauty. This past weekend she had the pleasure of attending a performance of Mozart's Requiem at her church in Texas. The event featured an orchestra, a choir of more than 50 people and four internationally-known soloists. Also, it was not for Catholics only: It was specifically noted in the advertisements that all were welcome to attend.

Our Faith & Elections 2012

The 2012 Elections are a few days away. And Paul Dion, STL is reminding us all that the divine gift of freedom requires the exercise of prudential judgment. To be righteous we must always prudentially choose the right thing to do. While it is true that there are some realities in life that are intrinsically evil, they aren't "intrinsically evil" because we choose them. They are "intrinsically evil" in and of themselves. To say that there is a difference between "instrinsically evil acts" and those acts which are the result of "prudential judgement" is not correct. It is our moral responsibility to make our choice in favor of intrinsic good, always. We make it not simply to avoid evil, but to always celebrate good.

He also addresses the biblical explanation of taxes, a hot and heavy topic in this election cycle. He concludes that taxes are not evil. What bedevils most citizens of any given country is the misuse of the tribute that is collected. That misuse is a violation of the human bond of trust and security that taxes are meant to construct. That doesn't make taxes evil. It makes those who govern fall into evil ways.

Diane M. Korzeniewski, OCDS reports that some parishes are holding all-night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Election Eve. If your parish isn't having anything, get a group of people together to approach the pastor and ask for Monday night or Tuesday Adoration. This is a great opportunity for families to make the spiritual battle a part of the civic duty - to show young people that even voting should spring forth from prayer and that things like life and liberty come before convenience.

And George Weigel effectively sums up our election coverage for the year. He says voting is not simply a privilege; it is a noble privilege because it asks each of us to bring our best judgment to bear on matters of grave consequence. The voting booth isn’t the confessional. But like the confessional, he says it should be entered only after serious moral reflection and prayer.

Sexting, Temptation, Tattoos and Pro Baseball


Stacy Trasancos talks about "Sexting, Sexcasting, and Moral Foundations." In a culture where kids grow up inundated with sexual language, sexual images, sexual music, sexual television, sexual education and encouragement to explore their sexual selves — parents, nonetheless, expressed horror to learn that kids were sending nude and sexually suggestive or explicit pictures to each other with their mobile phones. You need to read her piece.

And to close this week's issue, Patrick Carney talks about Phillies MLB pitcher Justin De Fratus who wears a permanent reminder to resist temptation. At the base of his thumb and index finger are two letters and two Greek symbols - the Chi-Ro. They remind him of his commitment to God and his Catholic faith. “It means Jesus Christ,” he says with a smile as he looks at it. “The P and the X were the first two letters of His name in Greek. We got the Alpha and the Omega there, because, you know, ‘I am the beginning and I am the end.’” Check out his story of faith, temptation and salvation.

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: What commandments require restitution?
FEATURED BLOG: Campaign 2012 — What Voting Means PASTORAL HISPANA: Amar al prójimo vale

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