"They have taken the Lord from the tomb"

During these solemn days of the Holy Week, our hearts and minds are raised with much anticipation to the joyful celebration of Easter. To help us capture the mystery that unfolds in this most important moment in the life of the Lord, we will read John 20:1-9. The first witnesses of the Risen Lord accompany us in our prayer and reflection: What has happened to Jesus?

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 (EasterC)
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: Do you invite the poor to your Easter banquet?

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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
The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 10, Verses 34, 37-43

1.“We are witnesses of all that he did.” What are some ways we can bear witness in our lives? Should we witness with more than words?

2. Peter is much stronger after the Resurrection than he was before Christ died. To what do you attribute this? Is the source of strength for Peter the same source for us?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23

1. The Psalm speaks of a great victory over death, 'I shall not die, but live.' Tell of how you share in Christ's victory over death and what this means to you.

2. Having been saved from death, the psalmist says he will 'declare the works of the Lord.' Speak of how you are empowered by our Lord's resurrection to go forth and proclaim the Gospel.

Second Reading
Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians, Chapter 3, Verses 1-4

1. In chapter 3 of Colossians, Paul tells us to seek what is “above.” He says that we should put on heartfelt compassion. What does compassion look like in our immediate world and in the larger one?

2. Paul says we should let the peace of Christ control our hearts. How do you do that when you’re feeling confused or paralyzed with fear? Where do you find help with peace?

Gospel
Easter Vigil: Luke, Chapter 24, Verses 1-12
Easter Sunday: John, Chapter 20, Verses 1-9 or
Luke 24:13-35 (afternoon or evening)

1. Were the women deterred from their task by fear? They stood with Jesus when he died, they came to anoint his body as soon as they could. Compare them with some of Jesus’ other disciples. Which is better? Are both ways what we could expect from human beings?

2. Why do you think the apostle John was able to “see and believe”? In the scripture passage from John 14:21, Jesus said “Whoever loves me . . . I will love him [her] and reveal myself to him [her].” Could this be the reason for John’s immediate understanding? Why would love help someone know a person, or know about them?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the above Sunday Readings with other ParishWorld readers. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts.

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"This is my body, which will be given for you."

On Palm Sunday this year we hear two sections of Luke's Gospel -- the first at the blessing of the palms and the second at the reading of St. Luke's passion narrative. With the royal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (19:28-21:38), a new section of the Gospel begins -- the ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem before his death and resurrection.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Palm Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013 (PalmSundayC)

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 Sacraments were instituted by Jesus on Holy Thursday?"

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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
Isaiah 50:4-7

1. In Isaiah we read, “I have not rebelled, have not turned away. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard.” Is Jesus the subject of this reading? Can you think of others who have followed his example? What do you think enabled them to do it?

2. What would have happened if Jesus had given up? Does this reading make you feel oneness with the suffering world? Is there any action you could take to remedy someone’s suffering?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

1. Were you part of the crowd of evildoers who closed in on Christ, that our psalmist speaks about? Tell of what part you play even today in mocking Christ.

2. The psalm asks, 'My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?' Do you believe that our Lord was truly abandoned by the Father?

Second Reading
Philippians 2:6-11

1. This reading is about Christ’s love. “Agape” means love that is selfless. It implies conversion, vulnerability, search for justice, and suffering. Does this ever describe your love? Is your love sometimes mixed with self-concern?

2. “The will of God is the divinization of every creature; and it was to bring about this divinization that the One who was in God and who was God emptied himself in order to participate in our human condition and transform it from within.” —Javier Melloni, S. J. Discuss.

Gospel
Luke 22:14 – 23:56 or 23:1-49

1. According to the Gospel of Luke, marginalized and neglected people accompanied Jesus on the way to death. This included the women, Simon, and the good thief. What does this tell you about Jesus? What does it tell you about Luke? Would you have been part of the group accompanying Jesus?

2. Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” Was he excusing people who were killing him? If not, then what? Do you ever ask God to forgive people who hurt you? Can you forgive 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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"Let the one among you who is without sin"

Can you imagine how that woman felt in Sunday's Gospel. She was the one who was dragged before Jesus. She was caught breaking the sixth commandment. Yes, she was just a pawn in the diabolical determination of the scribes and Pharisees to discredit Jesus.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday in Lent, Mar. 17, 2013 (5LentC)
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 influence does the Pope have on your 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
Isaiah 43:16-21

1. Did God take care of the needs of the Israelites at different times on their journey? Or did God say, "See you. You're on your own now," once he got them out of Egypt. Does your answer have meaning for you?

2. God said, "Remember not the things of the past, the things of longs ago, consider not; see, I am doing something new!" What was the "something new" God was talking about? What is the "something new" God gives to us in our day? What does God give to you in your own life?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 126: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

1. Our psalmist speaks of the the Jewish captives being set free and brought back from Babylon. Tell of your own liberation this Lenten season from being captive to sin.

2. The psalm contains a message of hope for us all -- that we shall reap joyfully in the days ahead. Share how you expect to be raised up with the Lord as we approach our Easter celebration.

Second Reading
Philippians 3:8-14

1. Comparatively speaking, what are all your other possessions worth, compared to Christ? How far are you willing to "accept the loss of all things" in order to gain Christ? What helps you accept your own cross?

2. St. Paul says in this reading that he was "forgetting what lies behind." So do you forget what lies behind? Or do you drive down a highway, so to speak, constantly looking in your rearview mirror? Do you "strain forward to see what lies ahead?" What happens to "now" if you are always looking forward or backwards?

Gospel
John 8:1-11

1. What do you think Jesus was writing on the ground with his finger? Why did the people drop their stones and walk away?

2. What do you think the woman felt when Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin any more?" What do you think Jesus thought about law's stoning dictate? What would he think of torturing prisoners?

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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"He was lost and has been found."

The theme of the abundant forgiveness of God continues in this Sunday’s Gospel about the famous parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32). What his critics charge against Jesus unwittingly sums up the glory of salvation: God, in the person of Jesus, welcomes sinners and eats with them.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday in Lent, Mar. 10, 2013 (4LentC)
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: Should you Confess before you 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
Joshua 5:9a, 10-12

1. How does God take care of you in your daily life? Was God as present to the Israelites in their daily lives in the Promised Land as in the desert? Is the same true for you, metaphorically speaking?

2. This reading and the Gospel are about coming home. See if you can see how. How does that idea relate to Lent? What is your spiritual home?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7

1. Our psalmist looks to God so that his face may not blush for shame. Explain how you are overcoming your own shame this Lenten season, by looking to the Lord, repenting, and becoming radiant with joy.

2. The Psalm's verses talk about those who are poor in spirit, totally dependent on God. Speak about how you rely on the Lord for deliverance and are saved by the Lord.

Second Reading
2 Corinthians 5:17-21

1. Some meanings for “reconcile” are: forgive, restore harmony, rectify, patch up, reunite, bury the hatchet, appease, arbitrate, bring to terms, kiss and make up. Wherever there is injustice in the world something is not reconciled. What might the Church do to change an unjust or unfair situation? What could your parish do? What can you do?

2. In the Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers, Aelred Rosser says, “Christ became what we are so that we may become what Christ is.” Can you explain this?

Gospel
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

1. Jesus responded with the parable of the Prodigal Son when the Pharisees accused him of eating with sinners. How was Jesus “prodigal”? What was Jesus telling us about God’s forgiveness? In the story did the son have to ask for forgiveness or did he just start on the road back home? Do you forgive easily? Is it easy or difficult for you to ask for forgiveness? What are your feelings about the older brother’s behavior in this parable?
2. Which of these actions do you think is more effective in bringing sinners back: excluding them or running to meet them with a hug? What do you think about eating dinner with them? Which method would you use?

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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