This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This feast has tremendous meaning for the Catholic family. Our call to holiness, to be separate for the Lord, forms our families into little Churches.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Dec. 30, 2012 (HolyFamilyC)
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: Why was Jesus born in a manger?
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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
1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
1. Which Holy Family does this feast celebrate, Jesus, Mary and Joseph? Or the Christmas family of God that we all became? Explain.
2. God units each of us to each other by uniting us to the Trinity. Discuss. Does God’s love for someone help you to love that person?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 84: 2-3, 5-6, 9-10
1. Our psalmist speaks of a pilgrimage for those who seek to dwell in the house of the Lord. Tell of how your journey is going and how far along you are in seeking the Lord.
2. The psalm tells of a soul that is yearning for the Lord. In what way do you also cry out for the living God?
Second Reading
1 John 3:1-2, 21-24
Colossians 3:12-21
1. What does the term “children of God” imply about God? St. John says we can have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask. What kinds of things do you ask for?
2. In Sunday’s reading from Colossians, St. Paul mentions ways that we can love each other and live together: compassion, kindness, humility, patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other…Is this easy? How are you doing with it in your life? How are we as Church doing with this assignment?
Gospel
Luke 2:41-52
1. The Gospel tells us that even the holy family had some rough spots. Separation is part of these, but also part of life. Talk about the lesson for you in all the various kinds of families you are a part.
2. Imagine Mary’s and Joseph’s unease when they were looking for Jesus for three whole days. And imagine the long-term anxiety his answer gave them: “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” How do you think Mary reacted? Have you ever had problems of this nature? How did you handle them?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your thoughts on these Sunday Readings. And please do use these questions for your own Bible study sessions with family and friends.
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"How lovely is your dwelling place,
ReplyDeleteO, Lord of Hosts!"
On this Feast of the Holy Family
of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we sing
a psalm overflowing with hope for
all Christians on a pilgrimage to the
house of the Father. The psalm
recalls for us today's Gospel reading
where our young Lord Jesus is found
in the temple and says to his parents,
"Did you not know that I must be in
my Father's house?" Just so for us
pilgrims who join with our psalmist
and sing, "My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the Lord."
Our destination is heaven, but because
of God's love for mankind, we do not have
to become weary in climbing to a mountain
faraway, as though it were mount Zion.
Our pilgrimage is a journey within;
"Our hearts are set upon the pilgrimage."
For our sake, the Word was made flesh
and dwelt among us, and all we have to do
is open our hearts and prepare to receive
our Savior, God's only son.
For our Lord is a living God, and it is He
to whom we cry out, as our psalmist reminds
us, "My heart and my flesh cry out for the
living God." For us, God's temple is here
on earth. God dwells in our tabernacle;
He is present to us through the Holy Eucharist.
And for this we praise you Lord and join
with the anointed and say, "How lovely is
your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!"
And we sing an Alleluia without end.
Amen