"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?

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

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.
--