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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Reflections
ReplyDeletePsalm 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23
“This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad.”
Jesus’ risen presence among us
is living proof of God’s enduring love.
“God’s love endures forever.”
The Lord’s deliverance is cause for joy.
Just when we were down, the Lord raises
us up. The joyful shout of deliverance
is heard. We are on firm ground after all –
Christ has become our cornerstone.
In the Psalm we read in advance of the
Paschal Mystery. Christ, who is rejected
and then exalted, becomes the foundation
stone of the new People of God --
“I shall not die, but live and declare the
works of the Lord.” This is Jesus speaking
about His own resurrection and about His food –
which is to do the work of the Father.
As the psalmist says, “The right hand of the
Lord has struck with power; the right hand
of the Lord is exalted.” Our days of mocking
our Savior are over; we no longer hurl insults
at Him.
Our savior has risen. “By the Lord has this
been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.”
'The joyful shout of deliverance is heard in
the tents of the victors.' The psalm celebrates
a great victory over death. This victory is
delivered by the Lord’s right hand, a clear
notice in advance of the power of the Son of God.
Our risen Savior has defeated death and the
grasp that sin has on us. And having been saved,
what is our commission? Luke tells us in
the 1st reading -- we are to preach to the people
and testify that Jesus is the anointed one.
Christ has become our cornerstone. “The stone
the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Christ has become a source of strength for us,
despite His apparent weakness that day on the cross,
when He died a shameful death. Only the Lord
could have done this remarkable thing:
“This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad.”
Amen