"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

On Sunday, we will read Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21, where our Lord proclaims himself as the Messiah, fulfilling what Isaiah prophesied. In the gospel, the Lord invites us to discover the mission that we share with him.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 27, 2013 (3C)
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: Sanctity of Life - "Protection or Celebration of Life?"

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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
Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

1. Why does Ezra say “today” is holy? What is significant about “today” for Jesus? Do you live in the past or the future instead of today? What is the only time you have for sure? What happens to “now” if you spend all your time looking backward or forward?

2. Each of the readings today is similar in that someone is proclaiming God's word to an asssembly. (Paul was writing to the Corinthians who were fighting over rank and status.) Do you think everything we would ever know was stated during Jesus’ time, or does the Holy Spirit give the Church new insights as it needs them?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 19: 8, 9, 10, 15

1. Our Psalm response this Sunday is 'Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.' In what way are you impacted along your faith journey by the words of our Lord?

2. Speak of how the Lord's commandments are useful in carrying out the plea of our psalmist, 'Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart find favor before you.'

Second Reading
 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27

1. Some people's gift is to diffuse tension in a meeting. What if such a person is missing from a meeting? Is this kind of gift more or less important than administering the parish, community or diocese? Why or why not? What is your gift to the community?

2. If you had your choice of gifts which ones would you choose? Why? If you have a gift and you never use it, what will happen to it? Can you name some of your gifts?

Gospel
Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

1. Jesus went to Nazareth, his hometown. People there thought of him as Mary and Joseph’s son. Suddenly he claimed to be the Messiah. What would your reaction have been to such a declaration?

2. Jesus said he had been anointed to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind and to let the oppressed go free. Where would you look for Jesus if he were here today physically? Is the Church where you would seek him? Do you insulate yourself from the poor and tell yourself that you couldn’t do anything to help anyway? Is there some small thing you could do for people needing assistance?

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.