Wednesday

"But who do you say that I am?"

In this Sunday's Gospel, June 23, 2013, Jesus asks the question "Who do the crowds say I am?" It is a question that had as much relevancy down the centuries as it did when it was first asked in the northeast corner of Palestine.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 23, 2013 (12C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings 
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Is Jesus & 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
Book of the Prophet Zechariah
Chapter 12, Verses 10-11; Chapter 13, Verse 1

1. Who is prefigured in this reading from the book of Zechariah? Another part of the reading says that God will pour out a spirit of grace and petition on the people. How is this related to the death of the pieced one?

2. Do you forgive other people if they “repent,” or do you demand more? Are there people you have offended and whom you need to ask for forgiveness? Has your country pierced individuals or groups of people? How about the Church? Is there anything can you do about the latter two?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 63: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

1. Our Psalmist is thirsting for the Lord. Describe a time in your life when you felt parched spiritually and you thirsted for God.

2. Having called out to God, our Psalmist clings fast to Him. What does it mean to you to have your soul satisfied, "As with the riches of a banquet?"

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, Chapter 3, Verses 26-29

1. What happens to traits like gender, color, race, social status, sexual orientation and allegiance to points of view different than our own in the baptismal garment?

2. There are some people who for one reason or another do not “put on Christ.” Does Christ redeem them too? Do you think God sees you praying for the ones you love who may have “taken Christ” off for a while? Maybe they are still connected as long as you’re holding on to them. Discuss.

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 9, Verses 18-24

1. Why did Jesus ask his disciples whom they thought he was? Does he ask this of you as well? Why? Is this a way to help his followers be a part of the kingdom?

2. Are there any implications for you if you know who Christ is and what his mission is about? If picking up your cross is a formidable task, do you have to think of all the years to come, or could you just pick up today’s cross?

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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1 comment:

  1. Barry Lamont11:03 PM

    “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”

    This prayer of longing was written at a time when
    David was in the desert, a place where physical
    thirst was all around him and the earth was
    parched, lifeless and without water.
    But David is writing also about a spiritual thirst
    that overwhelms him and reminds him
    of the emptiness of life without God.

    David meditates on those happier moments when
    he was close to the Lord, when his soul
    was satisfied as with the riches of a banquet,
    and when he took shelter in the shadow of
    the wings of God.

    We too go through times of spiritual deprivation
    when we walk away from God and indulge in
    sinful practices that separate us from God.
    At those times, like a penitent sinner, we
    experience our deepest longing for the love of
    the Lord and we seek out his loving embrace.
    As our psalmist says, at times like that our soul
    clings fast to the Lord, we bless him, we glorify him,
    we praise him.

    Amen

    ReplyDelete

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