"Five loaves and two fish are all we have."

Following the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, we will celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi this coming Sunday. The Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord is another mystery of Faith that the Holy Spirit has defined for us according to what the Lord had taught. The gospel reading is taken from Luke 9:11-17.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Corpus Christi Sunday, June 2, 2013 (CorpusChristiC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings 
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Is Jesus' Truly Present in the Holy Eucharist?

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

First Reading
Genesis 14:18-20

1. In what ways does Melchizedek prefigure Jesus?

2. Discuss the properties of bread and wine and their benefits to the body when consumed. Why do you think Melchizedek chose them for offerings? Why do you think Jesus did the same?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 110: 1, 2, 3, 4

1. The Psalm speaks of the anointing of Jesus as our Savior, who will rule in the midst of His enemies. Tell of how you have relied on our Savior to fight your spiritual enemies on your behalf.

2. With our Lord so powerful and seated at the right hand of the Father, does it surprise you that He would come down from heaven to mingle his precious body and blood with our human flesh and blood? Explain.

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 11:23-26

1. What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “Do this in remembrance of me”? To what does “this” refer? Could it mean more than one thing? He said “do this.” Is it something for the present and future or something to remember in the past?

2. Explain “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes,” in the light of the breaking of the bread.

Gospel
Luke 9:11b-17

1. Which would be the more impressive miracle, an actual multiplication of loaves and fish or thousands of people sharing their food with each other? Whose work makes it possible that Jesus’ gift of his passion, death and resurrection are limitlessly multiplied in every Eucharistic celebration?

2. The reading says, “They ate and were satisfied.” What or who would you encounter in a person if s/he were Eucharist to you? Would you be satisfied? Does Jesus come into us in the Eucharist or do we enter into him?

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.

---

"The Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth."

This Sunday - the first after Pentecost - we will celebrate another Solemnity: that of the Most Holy Trinity. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, who reveals all that Jesus taught and guides us to the whole truth the most basic of which is the mystery of God in Three Divine Persons. The gospel reading is taken from John, 16:12-15.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Holy Trinity Sunday, May 26, 2013(HolyTrinityC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings 
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: What are 5 major reasons we pray?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Book of Proverbs, Chapter 8, Verses 22-31

1. The reading says “I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, playing before him all the while, playing on the surface of his earth.” Who is talking? Is there a similarity between this ancient reading and the opening of John’s Gospel ?

2. The speaker says “I found delight in the human race.” Do you think anyone takes delight in you? Does God? Does Christ?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 8: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

1. Our Psalmist says that we are made 'little less than the angels,and crowned with glory and honor.' As a child of God, speak of how you are doing the work of the Lord and how you know He takes pleasure in what you do.

2. The Psalm tells us that the Lord has given us humans dominion over all the beasts of the field ... and whatever swims the paths of the seas.' We know also that the earth was designed to be lived in. What are you doing to be a good steward over the 'works of His hands?'

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 1-5

1. “The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” If God is the source, what kind of love is it that is in your heart? Can you feel or sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in yourself?

2. Why would God include us intimately in the divine love in the Trinity? If divine love is flowing through you while you are suffering, do you think this helps the world now?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 16, Verses 12-15

1. Does the Spirit add anything to God’s revelation? Does the Spirit change your understanding of revelation? Can understanding of divine love be exhausted? Have you ever reached a place where “you could not bear” more knowledge of love?

2. Can the Holy Spirit use dissension and debate to bring about new understanding? Can these be signs of life? Discuss ways the church grows in understanding. What hinders growth in the church sometimes? What hinders your growth?

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.

---

"Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink."

This Sunday, May 19, 2013, we will celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, marking the end of the Easter Season. Interestingly, the gospel reading is the same as what we had on Easter Sunday; John 20:19-23. The Spirit that descended upon the apostles at Pentecost is the same Spirit that Jesus breathed on them “on the evening of that first day”; the day of his Resurrection.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013 (PentecostC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Readings for Vigil Mass
Sunday Readings (Pentecost Sunday)
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Can non-Catholics go to heaven?

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

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2, Verses 1-11

1. People from every nation were confused and amazed because through the Holy Spirit everyone understood what the apostles were saying. If you were completely open to the Holy Spirit, would you have a deeper understanding of all that you hear and see? Was the miracle in the speaking or the hearing? How does the Holy Spirit use the miracle of hearing with you?

2. How were the disciples different after the Spirit’s arrival? In your own life do you tend to see the Holy Spirit as dynamic and constant or only occasional? Rate you awareness on a scale of 1 to 10 of your belief in the Holy Spirit as your constant companion. Are you different when you are confident that the Spirit is with you? Explain.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

1. As in our Psalm, do you also feel the presence of the 'divine breath' in your spiritual life? Speak of how the Holy Spirit is at work in your life.

2. Our psalmist says that the Spirit of the Lord 'renews the face of the earth.' Tell of how you are a new creation, after having been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Second Reading
Romans, Chapter 8, Verses 8-17 or
First Corinthians, Chapter 12, Verses 3b-7, 12-13

1. How do the gifts of the Spirit (knowledge, wisdom, understanding, reverence, courage, right judgment, awe and wonder in the presence of God) create unity in the Church? Think about one of the worst problems in the world today. What has the Spirit given to help eradicate that problem?

2. Were Puccini and Shakespeare given gifts for their own pleasure? Then what for? What are your gifts from the Holy Spirit and how do you see yourself using them?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 20, Verses 19-23 or
John, Chapter 14, Verses 15-16, 23b-26

1. Jesus said, “I have much more to tell you…. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth will guide you in all truth.” Now the Spirit has come. Do we know the whole truth about God’s salvific plan? Explain.

2. Compare God breathing life into Adam, and Jesus breathing on the disciples when he gave them the Holy Spirit. What is the significance for you? The disciples’ first task after receiving the Holy Spirit was to forgive sins. What impact does forgiveness of sin have on peace?

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.

"He was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight."

The gospel story of Our Lord’s Ascension into heaven is the last of the Resurrection appearances. We should be sure we understand what we are talking about here. The Resurrection of Christ is not about a dead body getting up and walking about. It was an appearance of the risen transcendent Body of Christ as he is in heaven.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 12, 2013 (AscensionC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings (Seventh Sunday Easter C) 
Sunday Readings (Ascension Sunday)
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: "Are you a Christian?"

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

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 1, Verses 1-11 (Ascension)
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 7, Verses 55-60 (Seventh Sunday)

1. What are the parallels between Stephen and Jesus? What made Stephen able to witness with his blood? Have you ever received a grace to do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do? Discuss times when you have seen this kind of thing happen.

2. What does “witness to the ends of the earth” mean to you? Do you “witness” in any way? Do people today witness anything “to the ends of the earth”? What?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9 (Ascension Sunday)
Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9 (Seventh Sunday)

1. As per the Psalm and the readings this week, our Lord has been raised up so high above us, how do you reach Him, how do you build a personal relationship with Him?

2. The psalmist encourages us to clap our hands, and shout to God with cries of gladness, because God mounts His throne. Speak of how you are raised up with our Lord Jesus, as He ascends to sit at the right hand of the Father.

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians Chapter 1, Verses 17-23 (Ascension)
Book of Revelation, Chapter 22, Verses 12-14, 16-17, 20 (Seventh Sunday)

1. We do not yet experience Christ’s coming completely even though he comes to us in the sacraments and word. Think of some times or instances in your life where an appropriate plea to God would be, “Come, Lord Jesus”.

2. How does Christ’s sacrifice differ from “the high priest’s, (who) enters the sanctuary each year with blood that is not his own”?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 24, Verses Luke 46-53 (Ascension)
According to John, Chapter 17, Verses 20-26 (Seventh Sunday)

1. What was the promise of the Father that Jesus spoke of? Who brings Jesus’ message and mission to completion in us and in the world? The Holy Spirit? Do you listen for the Spirit’s message to you personally?

2. Jesus actually said of the disciples, “Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me.” Are there people you think of as “gifts” to you? How can we reside with Jesus now that he is in heaven? Is there a way in which you reside with him? Who else does?

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.

---

"Whoever loves me will keep my word."

Still on the theme of love, this Sunday we will hear the emphasis on keeping the word: “Whoever loves me will keep my word.” To help the disciples observe what the Lord taught them, he promised them the Holy Spirit: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 5, 2013 (6EasterC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

The following prepared Discussion Questions on this Sunday's Readings are intended for use by your discussion groups, prayer groups, or for your individual prayer and reflection.

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 15, Verses 1-2, 22-29

1. Is there any growth without tension? Would the Church be better off if there were never dissension and debate? Do the present shames and accusations against the Church have any growth value (besides all the harm done). Is it all “their” fault, or are we all involved?

2. Was this a ceasefire or did the early Christians in this story actually make concessions? Discuss the value of both listening and then representing your own view when coming to work out a problem. How are your listening skills? Do you try to see the other person’s point of view?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 67: 2-3, 5-6, 8

1. Our psalmist asks that God will let His face shine upon us. Tell of how you have felt the radiance of God when He is present to you.

2. The Psalm prays that the Lord's 'way' be known among all nations. What have you done personally to encourage others to follow the 'way' of the Lord?

Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, Verses 10-14, 22-23

1. Is all of salvation history included in John’s vision? Whichever answer you give, tell why.

2. In his vision John describes what we will see when we meet Christ face to face. How do we see Christ now? Where do we meet him now?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 14, Verses 23-29

1. When you love someone you want to be with that person. How does this relate with the statement, “Whoever loves me, we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” How do you feel about Jesus when he talks like this? What does it tell you about God?

2. The second great gift in this reading is the promise of the Holy Spirit who will teach us everything. Do you think there could be a direct proportion between how much a person loves and how much the Holy Spirit is being allowed to live in that person?


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.

Sunday Readings (Cycle C) 
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: What does the Holy Spirit do in your life?

---