Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday in Lent, Feb. 24, 2013 (2LentC)
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
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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
Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
1. In Genesis 15:5 God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. It is to this promise that Abraham clings as he raises the knife to kill his son. Where do you fall on the continuum, with 1 being low and 10 high, when blind trust is required of you?
2. Is Abraham willing to offer the one he loves most because God asked it? Is God the Father willing to let the one he loves most die to show how far he will go for humankind? In the end is Isaac willing to be sacrificed? Is Jesus willing to give his life (in union with the Father’s willingness to give everything, even his son) to show how much God loves humankind?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 27: 1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
1. Our psalmist seeks God's face. Does your heart seek a right relationship with the Lord? Speak of how you are drawn to the Lord and how He makes himself accessible to you.
2. The season of Lent can be a time of transformation for us. But we cannot change our hearts by ourselves; we all need the Lord's help, as does our psalmist, 'You are my helper; cast me not off.' Tell of how you are becoming a better person with the help of the Lord.
Second Reading
Philippians 3:17–4:1 or 3:20–4:1
1. The Old Testament describes “Emanuel” as God with us. This reading says God is not only with us, but: “for us. Christ … indeed intercedes for us.” Explain how this statement could be a real anti-depression agent.
2. How does being “for” someone and interceding for him/her relate to “love your neighbor?”
Gospel
Luke 9:28b-36
1. It took a blinding light for Peter, James and John to begin to see or understand who Jesus was. Think of some times that you have seen the divine in the ordinary. Share your experiences with others. Think of some areas in your country, Church or life that need to be reconfigured before you would be able to see much of the divine in them. Explain.
2. Why do you think Elijah and Moses were part of this scene?
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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“Come, says my heart, seek God’s face;
ReplyDeleteYour face, Lord, do I seek!”
Our psalmist, David, puts into words
what we feel in our hearts, which is
to seek a right relationship with
the Lord. We are drawn to the Lord;
we wish to speak to Him face to face,
to be in His presence, to listen to
His Word, and to serve Him faithfully.
We may not have the faith of
Abraham (1st reading), but we know
that a right relationship with the Lord
is key for us, because without that
face to face relationship, we have
little chance of salvation. Our psalmist
knows the critical importance of salvation:
“Do not forsake me, God, my savior.”
Few of us will be able to speak directly
with God, but God makes himself
accessible through His Son, Jesus,
as described in St Paul’s letter to the
Philippians (2nd reading). St Paul promises
that our own bodies will be changed,
to conform with Christ’s glorified body.
This is how our own transfiguration
takes place.
What can we do to be sure we share
in Christ’s glory? St Paul tells the
brothers in Philippi, “Stand firm in
the Lord.” And our psalmist agrees:
“Wait for the Lord, take courage,
be stouthearted, wait for the Lord.”
What better way for us to stand firm
in the Lord than to commune with Him
in prayer, to worship Him, to be
transformed by Him, as were those disciples
that day when Jesus was transfigured
on the mountain. Having been transformed,
we, like the disciples, will be emboldened
in our faith -- 'Of whom should I be afraid?'
In our day to day battles against evil forces,
we need not fear any one, for He is our refuge.
Amen