"Love one another."

Last Sunday, our Risen Lord as the Good Shepherd spoke to us: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” In the Gospel on Sunday, John 13:31-33a, 34-35, he makes clear what “to hear” and “to follow” entail: “I give you a new commandment. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” This is his call for us on this Fifth Sunday of Easter.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 28, 2013 (5EasterC)
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: Who is your neighbor?

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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
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 14, Verses 21-27

1. Paul and Barnabas traveled around the country spreading the good news. Who was responsible for opening the door to the Gentiles, according to them? Who is in charge of your ministry? How deep is your belief about that?

2. Luke refers to some hardships in this reading. Could they be connected to the “new commandment” mentioned in the Gospel? Have you discovered hardships in your own life connected to loving your neighbor? Even though God opened the doors, what still must take place before faith is received?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 145: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13

1. The Psalm says, 'Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord.' Are you one of His works? Tell of how you give thanks to the Lord and bless Him as one of His faithful ones.

2. Our psalmist speaks of the everlasting nature of God's divine love. Describe how God's love has helped you to overcome hardship and get 'yoked' to Jesus.

Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, Verses 1-5a

1. What is the connection between the holy city in the reading and God’s dwelling with the human race?

2. God and human persons dwell together. Where is this visible? Is it in the Lord’s legacy of selfless love? Where is the comfort in this reading for someone who is suffering?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 13, Verses 31-33a, 34-35

1. Did Jesus give us edicts, rubrics or canons? What one rule did he give us over and over again? What teaching of the Church do you think will bring all people to Christ?

2. “As I have loved you, so should you love one another.” How far did Jesus go in loving us? Are you ever asked to give more than you planned? How do you handle that?

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 and experience-sharing.

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"My sheep hear my voice."

We heard our Risen Lord in last Sunday’s gospel telling Peter thrice: “Feed my sheep.” On Sunday, we will hear him again telling us: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” In this Gospel reading, John 10:20-37, our Lord gives a beautiful image of himself as the Risen One and of the gift he brings by rising from death: He is the Good Shepherd who leads us to eternal life; this is his gift to us, eternal life.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 21, 2013 (4EasterC)
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: Believe in God or believe in the Church?

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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
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 5, Verses 27-32, 40-41

1. “Almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” Did they like what they heard? What made Paul and Barnabas decide to preach to the Gentiles? Was salvation planned for the Gentiles from the beginning or was this a change of plans?

2. How were Paul and Barnabas instruments of salvation? Are you an instrument in any way? How? What do you do when you encounter opposition?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5

1. There is something comforting about being shepherded by our Lord Jesus. Our psalmist says we are 'the flock He tends.' Speak of how you feel to be one of His sheep.

2. The Psalm tells us to 'serve the Lord with gladness.' Give an example of how you are serving Him with a joyful spirit.

Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 5, Verses 11-14

1. People suffer and yet still stand before the Lamb. How can this be? Does the Lamb take care of their needs? Does Christ have a way to understand their hardships? How about you: can you understand other people’s suffering better if you have experienced suffering yourself?

2. What resistance to the values of Christianity do you encounter in your life? When you encounter inner conflict regarding social justice and the people who suffer because of it, what do you do? What would you like to do?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 21, Verses 1-19

1. “Jesus said: I know them.” What does the Good Shepherd know about you?

2. “No one can take them out of my hands …or the Father’s hands.” The sheep are safely kept. Are there forces that try to take the sheep out of Jesus’ hand? What are they? Do they sometimes take you too? When will you be free from struggle?

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 and experience-sharing.

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"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

On this Sunday, we will read John 21:1-19, another story of the Risen Lord appearing to his disciples; this time, at the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. The story reminds us of a similar incident in Luke 5:1-11 about the miracle of the catch of fish and the call to the disciples to be fishers of men. John narrates how the disciples are thrilled not only at the repeat of the enormous catch of fish, but also at the sight of the Risen Lord who shows them his relentless love and trust and the abundance of grace that his Resurrection brings.

John exhorts us that, in spite of our weakness and failures, there is no turning back in our vocation and mission. As the Risen Lord did to his disciples, he likewise meets us to enkindle our hearts with his love. He enjoins us to continue bearing witness to him with the abundance of his grace.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday of Easter, April 14, 2013 (3EasterC)
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 the Church welcome homosexual Catholics?

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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
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 5, Verses 27-32, 40-41

1. “We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name.” Why the negative attitude and all the objections from the Sanhedrin? How are you with interpretations of God’s word that are different from your own?

2. The apostles rejoiced that they had been found worthy to suffer and receive dishonor. When you encounter suffering in your life is there anything that helps you accept it? What would make a person “embrace” suffering? Do you know anyone who suffers but also exudes a kind of spiritual joy?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 30: 2, 4-6, 11-13

1. Our psalmist says that God's anger lasts but a moment, while His favor lasts a lifetime. Give an example of how you have been blessed by God's favor after having fallen away for a time.

2. The Psalm speaks of changing our mourning into dancing. Tell of how the resurrection of our Lord has lifted you up and brought within you a rejoicing of the Spirit.

Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 5, Verses 11-14

1. Why is it right and just that “everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.”

2. Why is Christ called the “Paschal Lamb”? How are cross and resurrection unified in the image of the Paschal Lamb? How is this image a model for the Church?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 21, Verses 1-19

1. Jesus was on the shore. John and the other disciples were in the fishing boat. Why do you think John recognized Jesus before the others? Discuss.

2. How important was Peter’s triple profession of love for Jesus? Would Jesus have entrusted his church to Peter without love being involved? Is this quality important in leaders in the Church today?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the above Sunday Readings with other ParishWorld readers. May we all be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
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"Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

On this Second Sunday of Easter, April 7, 2013, we always hear the Gospel of Doubting Thomas proclaimed.  This Gospel always leaves me pondering two main questions: “Why do we have doubts?” and, “Why do we have faith?”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Easter, April 7, 2013 (2EasterC)
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: Is Jesus and God the same?

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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
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 5, Verses 12-16

A large number of people . . . gathered, bringing the sick
and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

1. What is the connection between all these life-giving miracles and the resurrection? Discuss the apostles’ missionary efforts in the light of “Power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 13:4). Do you want Christ to use you on behalf of others? If yes, what are the implications?

2. “They were all cured.” What are some signs and wonders of God’s healing love that you see today?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

1. Have you ever been 'hard pressed and falling,' as was our psalmist? Describe how the Lord has been your strength and courage in times of trouble.

2. As the Psalm says, 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.' Speak of how our Savior has become the rock you can rely on in your life.

Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 1, Verses 9-11, 12-13, 17-19

1. Once, when John the Evangelist is “caught up in spirit,” Christ touches him and speaks to him. Are there others in history, “suffering for their faith,” who have received clear understanding and revelations? Can good things come from suffering?

2. John says he fell down “as though dead.” Christ, “who once was dead but now is alive,” touched him and raised him up. Does this vision give you strength to do good things? Are you part of what, in Christ’s words, “will happen afterwards”?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 20, Verses 19-31

1. Why do you think Jesus breathed on the disciples when he gave them the Holy Spirit? What effect did this have on the disciples’ fear? How about your fear, and every aspect of your life? What do forgiveness of sin and resurrection have in common?

2. How do you resolve your questions/doubts? What is your attitude toward people who, like Thomas, doubt some truths that you hold dearly? How did Jesus handle Thomas and his doubts?

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 and experience-sharing.
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