Thursday

"Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you."


The parable for this Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 (26A) was one of three parables Christ spoke in His last days. They are known in history as the Parables of Rejection. This day's Gospel was the first and shortest of the melancholy three. This Sunday we are also treated to one of the most beautiful passages about Jesus in the entire Bible. It is found in the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sep. 28, 2014 (26A)

From the
Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings

Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Why Don't you Read the Bible?

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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 Ezekiel, Chapter 18, Verses 25-28

1. If you turn away from wickedness you are turning toward God. One spiritual writer calls turning toward God “conversion.” Do you think you are converted just once or do you do it many times in your lifetime? If so, why? If not, why?

2. The Lord is quoted as saying, “When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.” Does such iniquity affect the entire Mystical Body of Christ? What about a member doing good deeds?

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 25: 4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

1. This Psalm can be likened to an Act of Contrition by our psalmist. By praying this Psalm before God, are you led to seek a remission of your sins? Explain.

2. We may have sympathy for the author of this Psalm (David). Can you identify with the psalmist, as he seeks God's mercies and confesses his sins? Talk about your own approach to seeking God's forgiveness.

Second Reading

Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, Chapter 2, Verses 1-11

1. St. Paul tells us to have the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus. In this reading what words describe his attitude? Can you act that way? What are Jesus’ deeds as described in the reading? Can you do such deeds yourself?

2. The second part of the reading (which is left out in the alternate version, which a parish may choose), beginnign with the words “though he was in the form of God,” contains the entirety of Christian, Catholic belief. Do you understand what it is saying? Can you put it in your own words?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 21, Verses 28-32

1. Using the idea of “conversion” (see the first question on the first reading), discuss the first son and the second son. Which one needed to change and turn toward his father? Are you presently in need of conversion in any area of your life? What counts in building community, saying some good words, or actually doing some good deeds? At which one are you better, words or deeds?

2. “When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him,” Why didn’t the chief priests and the elders believe John the Baptist? Is it hard to think in new ways? Is it hard for you?

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



In the Gospel for this Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 (23), Matthew adapts sayings of the historical Jesus to address the new situation of an established local church in need of due process to handle difficult problems. He compels us to consider the essential elements in the process of forgiveness among members of the Church community.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sep. 7, 2014 (23A)
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: What do you think is the Worst Sin?

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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 Jeremiah, Chapter 20, Verses 7-9

1. Jeremiah couldn’t ignore the call to prophecy even though it brought him much suffering. Who today speaks out about injustice and is met with mockery? What social or economic structure of oppression would you like to transform so badly that you can’t keep quiet about it?

2. Would your first inclination be to avoid suffering if possible? Is it humanly possible to avoid all suffering? What are some good “by-products” of suffering?

Responsorial Psalm

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

1. Our psalmist says his flesh pines and his soul thirsts for God. Have you also experienced a longing for God that is akin to being lifeless and without water? Explain.
2. The psalm is written by a man who truly loves the Lord, and yet even our psalmist experiences periods of separation from God. Do you believe that God reaches out even to those who do not believe in Him, and that their souls too are thirsting for the Lord? Give an example.

Second Reading

Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 12, Verses 1-2

1. “For who has known the mind of the Lord?” How good are you at second-guessing God? Can you always figure out ahead of time where God is leading you, or what God is doing in your life?

2. Look at at the rear-view mirror at the highway of your life. Can you see where God was on the road with you?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 16, Verses 21-27

1. “Lose your life for my sake and find it” What does Jesus mean when he says you will “find” your life? How does the “finding” apply to this life as well as the next?

2. You cannot take your money and possessions with you when you die. If you “lose your life” in love for others, does that give you something to take with you? Is it the love in your heart that goes with you when you die?

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