"You received what was good during your lifetime"

Last Sunday’s Gospel ended with a warning from Jesus: “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” This Sunday's Gospel from Luke 16: 19 - 31 tells about a man who thought that he could, but failed; to his detriment. We are enjoined to be detached from material things in order to have the freedom to fulfill God's plan for our lives.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sep. 29, 2013 (26C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Do you invite the poor to your banquet?

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Book of the Prophet Amos, Chapter 6, Verses 1, 4-7

1. Do wealth and self-indulgence necessarily go together? How are self-indulgence and complacency related to your ability to respond to the needs of others?

2. The people in this reading are complacent and comfortable. Would you choose them to be your best friends? Why? What’s missing in a person’s life if all possible time and effort is consumed with caring for his or her needs and desires? With these people at one end of the spectrum and Mother Teresa at the other, where do you fall?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 146:  7, 8-9, 9-10

1.  Our psalmist assures us that the Lord gives food to the hungry.  Describe how your spiritual hunger is satisfied by the nourishment you receive from God.

2.  The Psalm says that the Lord thwarts the way of the wicked.   Reflect on your experience and give an example of how the Lord has overcome evil that was
a threat to you.

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, Chapter 6, Verses 11-16

1. Elsewhere, Jesus said to Pilate, “The reason I have come into the world is to bear witness to the truth.” What do you do that bears witness to the truth? Do you think, “Lay hold of eternal life” means that you should try to grab eternal life or that you should let God grasp you?

2. How do patience, gentleness, and love relate to your bearing witness to the truth? How much gentleness do you have? Patience? Love?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 16, Verses 19-31

1. Where would you find Lazarus today? What would he or she look like? Do you recognize and care for him or her as God’s beloved child, or do you want to roll up your window when you see him or her coming?

2. How does it help you to care for Lazarus? Compare and contrast the person who takes care of the poor with the complacent person in the First Reading, who sits around drinking wine and anointing him/herself all day with the best oils?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below 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.

"You cannot serve both God and mammon."

Christ Jesus shows an amazing ability to bring up to His level the outcast of society – the poor, the lowly, the barren. Often criticized for eating and drinking with sinners, thjis Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, our Savior shows us how to behave toward our neighbors, to understand the it is the sick who need a physician.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sep. 22, 2013 (25C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Would you leave a job for moral reasons?

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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 Amos, Chapter 8, Verses 4-7

1. Who are the poor today? Who are the powerful that take advantage of them? When you hear Amos’s words (“The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: never will I forget a thing they have done!”), what comes to your mind? What can you do to help correct an unjust situation?

2. Israel’s covenant, which required the love of neighbor, was on a collision course with the behavior in this reading. What drives people to be oppressive and exploitive? Compare and contrast greed with love of neighbor.

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 113: 1-2, 4-6, 7-8

1. Our Psalm reminds us that the Lord on high reaches down to our human level to lift us up. How can it be that our God, who is exalted above
all nations, is willing to stoop to our lowly level and show concern for us?

2. What does it mean when our psalmist says that God raises up the lowly from the dust and seats them with princes?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 1-8

1. Paul was appointed preacher and apostle to take the good news to the Gentiles. Explore the meaning of this fact. How can you take this message beyond the sphere of the Church?

2. Paul asks prayers for kings and authority. Do you think the Church should address political, economic and social problems? Do you address them?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 16, Verses 1-13

1. Was the unjust steward dishonest or just clever? How would the kingdom of God benefit if you were more resourceful about promoting it here on earth?
2. Can you think of one way you can be more resourceful in your spiritual life?


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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"He was lost and has been found."

On Sunday, September 15, 2013, the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C), the theme of the Gospel reading from Luke 15: 1 - 32 is God’s mercy. Our Lord gives us three parables about the eternal mercy of God. 

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sep. 15, 2013 (24C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: "Ask something of me and I will give it to you."

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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Reading
Book of Exodus, Chapter 32, Verses 7-11, 13-14

1. Moses convinces God not to destroy the Israelites with wrath. What is it about the covenant that lets Moses do this? Do you try to talk God into doing things? In a covenant do both parties have a say?

2. God was faithful to the covenant even though the Israelites were not. How does that relate to you? Could anything change the fact that God loved you into being and loves you more than you can imagine?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 17, 19

1. Our Psalm is King David's mea culpa,his personal confession to God. Speak of how the verses of the Psalm inspire you to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

2. Our psalmist pleas with the Lord not to take from him God's Holy Spirit. Tell of how you also rely on the Spirit in your daily life.

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, Chapter 1, Verses 12-17

1. Paul goes from foremost sinner to foremost preacher. How does his conversion demonstrate God’s forgiveness and mercy? Is God patient today with whole countries? With the Church? With you?

2. Your struggle to live in relationship with God and others. Do you have to be patient with yourself in this effort?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 15, Verses 1-32

1. “While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.” Why did he not punish the young man? Will this encourage the son to run away again?

2. Imagine a continuum with the father’s welcome at one end and the older son’s reluctance at the other. Where does your way of welcoming fall?

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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"Anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions"

In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus talks about making a commitment and following through. In this case it is the most basic commitment - to become a disciple. Jesus tells us exactly what it costs to be a disciple. He doesn't hide it from us. He tells right up front that it will cost everything. It means putting Jesus ahead of any human relationship.


Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sep. 8, 2013 (23C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Do we adore "Bling?" more than God?

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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 Wisdom, Chapter 9, Verses 13-18

1. The writer says that it is hard enough “to guess what is in our grasp, let alone the things of heaven.” Can you relate to that statement? Is there anything you are uncertain about in the political arena in your country? Is there anything uncertain in your spiritual life?

2. Does God give you help when you are uncertain? Which does God prefer from you, perfect certainty—or your best guess, trusting in God?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 90: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17

1. The Psalm speaks of 'numbering our days aright.' What are you doing to make your days on earth count for something in the eyes of the Lord?

2. Our Psalm carries a strong message that our human lives are fleeting but that God is eternal. How are you preparing to be in God's presence forever?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to Philemon, Verses 9-10, 12-17

1. How did Paul bring about a change or a conversion in Onesimus? What part does love play in any change for the better? Does love work any change in your life?

2. Slavery was an accepted institution in Paul’s time, but he states a revolutionary idea anyway. There are no divisive social barriers in Christ. Are there social institutions today that create social divisions, even divisions in the Lord?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 14, Verses 25-33

1. Why would Jesus tell us about the high cost of discipleship? In getting rid of possessions, Jesus was a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. Where do you think you fit? Do you want to move your number up a little higher? How?

2. Is following Jesus a one-time choice or do you have to make it daily? Which would you rather have, all the possessions you could ever want without Christ or Christ and no possessions? Think about it. Can you name some people who lived/live in Christ and possess/ed nothing?

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.
Click here to go to share your reflections online.
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"For every one who exalts himself will be humbled."

We continue the theme of last Sunday's Gospel about the Kingdom, which “the Father is pleased to give”. (Luke 12:32). On this Sunday’s reading (Luke 12:49-53), our Lord describes the Kingdom as like a “fire” of God’s love, with which he wished all the hearts to be inflamed and which he himself had ignited during Calvary’s “baptism.” To live in the Kingdom requires an act of conviction which brings division.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sep. 1, 2013 (22C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Do you invite the poor to your 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
Book of Sirach, Chapter 3, Verses 17-18, 20, 28-29

1. The Latin word humus meant “earth.” Use this meaning as a springboard and make up your own definition of humility.

2. Name someone you think as a truly great person. Is that person humble? What does humility look like in them?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 68: 4-5, 6-7, 10-11

1. Our psalmist speaks of a 'bountiful rain' from the Lord, showering down upon us. Tell of how you have been restored by God's living water when you were parched and thirsty for His presence.

2. The Psalm says that God 'leads forth prisoners to prosperity.' Have you been set free from sinful habits or worldly attachments by the Lord's healing hand? Explain.

Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 12, Verses 18-19, 22-24

1. Aren’t you glad we are not coming to gloomy darkness, a storm, or a blazing fire? But what is this city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering? What is the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven? What do you feel in these words?

2. What does it mean to say that Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant? What is the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 14, Verses 1, 7-14

1. Do the poor, crippled, lame and blind have a “right” to enter the banquet? Who do they represent in this parable? Does anything cripple you or make you blind?

2. Discuss the fact that Jesus experienced all our human pain along with us in order to help us get to the banquet. Do you feel any responsibility to help other people get there?


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.
Click here to go to share your reflections online.
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