"I am the light of the world."

Sunday’s Gospel is about the cure of a blind man—and about the blindness of those who think they can see. The story is set on the Sabbath. Jesus makes clay with his own saliva (what an earthy detail!) and sends the blind man to wash in the “Pool of Siloam.” When he comes back Jesus is not there anymore, but the man’s sight is!
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Mar. 30, 2014 (4LentA)
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
BQ: Does the Church allow abortion if the mother's life is at risk?

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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
First Book of Samuel, Chapter 16, Verse 1b, 6-7, 10-13a

1. Samuel says about God’s choice of David, “Not as man sees does God see.” Do you make decisions based on appearances alone or do you try to look deeper? Is there any similarity between David and the man born blind in the Gospel?

2. What in this reading tells you that grace comes with the call? When you feel you have been summoned to perform some task for God, do you back down because it is too tough? Would God ever give you what you need to get the job done?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 23: 1-6

1. Our psalmist says that the Lord 'anoints' us with oil. Do you believe you are anointed by the Lord? If so, what is the Lord asking you to do?

2. The Psalm says, 'The Lord is my shepherd....' Do you feel like one of the Lord's sheep? As one of His sheep, do you believe 'there is nothing you shall want?'

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, Chapter 5, Verses 8-14

1. Define personal and national darkness as it might exist in today’s world. St. Paul says, “you are the light in the Lord.” If you could, what darkness in the world would you dispel? Is there some way you could do this on a small scale, in your present situation?

2. The Church is supposed to take Christ’s light to every dark place. Where you think Christ would be if he came back physically to the world today? Can your parish be in that place?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 9, Verses 1-41

1. The blind man was simply a man on the street. By the end of the Gospel he was thrown out of the synagogue for defending Jesus. What changed him into a disciple? Which are you? Which title fits you best: bystander, believer, confessor, bold challenger or disciple? Why?

2. The man born blind experienced rejection as he became more and more spirit-filled. Do you think people who suffer know Jesus in a more intimate way than other people? Have you experienced this in your own life?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

"Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst"

The story of the Woman at the Well in the Gospel of John for the Third Sunday of Lent is incredibly rich and full of meaning. It certainly offers plenty of material for fruitful meditation during this season of Lent.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday of Lent, Mar. 23, 2014 (3LentA)
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
BQ: "Can non-Catholic people go to heaven?"

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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 Exodus, Chapter 17, Verses 3-7

1. Marching through the desert, panicky with thirst, the Israelites had some difficulty believing that God was with them. Can you relate to this situation in some way? It was a serious confrontation and Moses was afraid for his life. What did he do? What would help you?

2. Think of all the ways water is important in your life. The name of the mountain where Moses struck the rock was Horeb, which means “dry” or “desolate.” What is the significance of this and of the water imagery in salvation history?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 95:  1-2, 6-9

1. The Psalm says that we are the people the Lord shepherds. In what way do you feel like one of his sheep?

2. The Psalm mentions that our spiritual ancestors hardened their hearts at Meribah. Does that also happen to you sometimes? Do you turn away from the Lord and doubt that he cares for you? If so, what is it that allows you to trust the Lord again?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 1-2, 5-8

1. Everything has been done for us. Christ died for all of us, made us deserving and gave us his Spirit to pour God’s love into our hearts. What is our part?

2. Paul says that “the Holy Spirit has been given to us.” What do these words mean to you? Do you rely on the Holy Spirit to come to your aid when you need help? How often do you call on the Holy Spirit?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 4, Verses 5-42

1. “For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans,” the Gospel says. But the woman at the well was a Samaritan. How did Jesus handle this problem, and also the gender issue at the well? When was the only other time Jesus mentions his thirst? Do you think it was the same thirst?

2. Why did the woman leave her jar and go into town to tell everyone what had happened? Does that part of the story have any significance for you? What does “living water” mean to you? For what do you thirst?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

The readings this Second Sunday of Lent are all about calling. We hear about the call of Abraham in the First Reading, the call of Jesus in the Gospel extract and in the Second Reading St Paul speaks about the call of each Christian.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Lent, Mar. 16, 2014 (2LentA)
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
BQ: Do you believe Jesus is Truly Present at Communion?

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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 Genesis, Chapter 12, Verses 1-4a

1. God asked Abraham to leave his ties to his family, his society and his home. What was Abraham’s response? Compare it with the Passion. Does Abraham’s experience relate to your Lenten experience in any way? How?

2. Read the blessing God pronounces over Abraham. Who is a “blessing” for you? For whom are you a “blessing”?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-20, 22

1. The Psalm says 'our soul waits for the Lord.' In what way have you experienced a longing for the Lord, and how have you received Him.

2. The Psalm says we are delivered from death by the grace of God, who is our help and our shield. How have you felt shielded from the evil one by the Lord's grace?

Second Reading
Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, Chapter 1, Verses 8b-10

1. Do you think you can live the Gospel without bearing some hardships? Think of some people who suffer hardship on a regular basis because of the way they live the Gospel. How could you use them for role models in some way during Lent?

2. Here are three interpretations. Please discuss and decide: (1) God saves us according to our good works. (2) Good works are our response to God’s love. (3) Our good works have no bearing on whether God saves us.

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 17, Verses 1-9

1. Which apostles witnessed the agony in the garden (Mt 26:37)? Are they the same ones that we see witnessing the transfiguration? What is the connection? Would a transfiguration make people better witnesses of the agony? What would it have done for you?

2. Is there a significance to the “cloud?” What is it? Was there another time Jesus had heard a voice saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”? Do you see anything in the world and your own life that makes you think God well pleased?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please comment on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.  ---

"You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test."

Today's Scripture readings for the first Sunday of Lent immerse us into the depths of this penitential season. The readings and today's Psalm 51 sound overtures of the great themes that we will hear and live over the next six weeks.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
First Sunday of Lent, Mar. 9, 2014 (Lent1A)
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
BQ: Should you Confess before you receive Communion?

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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 Genesis, Chapter 2, Verses 7-9; Chapter 3, Verses 1-7

1. Would it be a better world if humans did not have the freedom to choose? Knowing that people would not always resist the temptation to choose evil, why would God ever give the human race free will?

2. After their sin Adam and Eve wanted to cover their bodies. They did not want to be seen as they really were. Is it easy to be honest about faults? If you do become honest about your failings, in the proper circumstances, what is the next step then?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17

1. During this Lenten season, how will your life show sincere repentance? What do we learn from David's example?

2. What concrete steps will you take to resist the temptations the Enemy throws your way? Why not commit to memory (and obedience) some power verses that work for you?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 12-19

1. “To ransom a slave, you gave away your son.” Could God have redeemed us some other way? Why do you think God would go to this extreme to save us?

2. Christ represents all of humanity before God and his obedience outweighs humanity’s sins or disobedience. Explain what this mean to and for you?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 4, Verses1-11

1. Jesus’ temptation was to deny his divine mission. How does it make you feel to think he had to fight temptation the same way you do?

2. What desert images hold Lenten meanings for you? What part did the Spirit play in this gospel story? What part will you let the Spirit play in your Lent this year?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group 
Please share below your reflections on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
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