"But I say to you, love your enemies"

On Sunday, February 23, 2014, we will conclude our reflection on the Sermon on the Mount with Jesus’ exhortation: “Be perfect as your heaven Father is perfect.” As we will see later, perfection has been God’s design and will for man from the beginning.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 23, 2014 (7A)
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 permit Organ Donations?

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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 Leviticus, Chapter 19, Verses 1-2, 17-18

1. One way the Lord says to love your neighbor is “You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart . . . cherish no grudge against any of your people.” Is this an easy thing to do? Have you tried it? Will you try again?

2. If we all “loved our neighbors as ourselves” do you think there would be wars, prisons, hunger and poverty? Discuss.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103: 1-4, 8, 10, 12-13

1. This week we are asked to love the 'unlovable' in our lives. How does the Psalm inspire us to be able to do this?

2. The Psalm says that the Lord 'crowns' us with kindness and compassion. How does this enable us to imitate the Lord?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 3, Verses 16-23

1. St. Paul says that “the Spirit of God dwells in you.” When do you remember this? When you have important decisions to make? When you are in serious trouble? When good things happen? Not very often? Will this reading cause you to make changes regarding this issue?

2. In the reading what does Paul say makes you holy? What will happen if anyone destroys you? And, is your neighbor holy too? If this is so, how do you treat the people in your life?.

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 38-48

1. How do you feel about turning the other cheek when someone strikes you on the right cheek? Why would Jesus tell us to “Love your enemies?” Did he show us how to love our enemies? What far was he willing to go for them?

2. What do you think praying for those who persecute you might do for you? Would it be easy to do it? What might help?

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

"Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mar. 6, 2011 (9A)
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: "Is it Better to Pray or To Study the Faith?"

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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 Deuteronomy, Chapter 11, Verses 18, 26-28, 32

1. Which of Christ’s words would you like to wear on your forehead, if you could? Which ones would you like to see and think about all day long and commit to your mind and heart?

2. Moses says where he wants his words to rest. Where is that? What does it have to do with binding them on your wrist and hanging them from your forehead?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 31: 2-4, 17, 25

1. Our psalmist asks the Lord to 'incline your ear to me.' How do we obtain the Lord's attention and be sure that He lifts us up from the pit that we have fallen into?

2. The Psalm calls out to God to lead us and guide us. What is the best way for us to find out where God is leading us?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 3, Verses 21-25, 28

1. Where does St. Paul say the righteousness of God has been shown? Does the law help you to reach it? Is it given or do you have to struggle for it?

2. In this reading, Paul releases us from over-dependence on rules and regulations. How much do you rely on “the works of the law” to guide your life? What role do faith and love play?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 7, Verses 21-27

1. What is the solid foundation that you build your life on? What happens when hardship comes along: “rain and floods, and buffeting by the wind”? Could your foundation-stone be the words of Christ?

2. Where does choice fit in? Don’t you have a choice to build either on rock or on sand? Would your decision be based on doing the will of Jesus’ Father in heaven?

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

“Blessed are the poor in spirit"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 30, 2011 (4A)
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: Would you applaud after the homily?

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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 Zephaniah,
Chapter 2, Verse 3; Chapter 3, Verses 12-13

1. “Faithful remnant” means those who remain faithful in spite of great difficulties, bad example and poor leadership. How do people remain faithful with such obstacles? What helps you?

2. Discuss some of the places/things in which the rich might place their trust. Do you ever hope in such things? Which do you think engenders more trust, wealth or poverty? Explain.

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 146: 6-10

1. This week's Response is taken from Matthew 5:3 (the Beatitudes). How does the Psalm speak to what Jesus told his disciples that day as he taught them on the mountain?

2 . The Psalm talks about the 'oppressed', the 'hungry', the 'captives', the 'blind', those 'bowed down.' Where do you find yourself among these? Can you identify with any of these?
Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 1, Verses 26-31

1. The weak, the foolish and the lowly confound the strong, the wise and the strong. What does this mean to you? Can you give examples?

2. Is weakness a top priority for your country, or strength? For your work? For your social life?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 1-12a

1. Moses received the ten commandments on a mountain. Jesus gave the sermon on a mount. Compare and contrast

2. Does Jesus define his own life by the beatitudes? Do you think this is a lesson or an invitation? Why?

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.

November 1, 2009 , Solemnity of Saints, "“Blessed are the poor in spirit"

Sunday Reading Reflections
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 25, 2009 (29B)

SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
Burning Question: Why do we pray for the dead?
Click COMMENTS below to leave your reflections.


First Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 7, Verses 2-4, 9-14

1. Can you think of some people who have suffered, died, and who might now stand before the Lamb? Has suffering and distress entered into their reward? Do you encounter resistance to the values of Christianity in your life?

2. Do you find opposition or indifference to Catholic values of social justice. What do you do, especially when people are suffering because of this unconcern? What would you like to do?

Second Reading
First Letter of John, Chapter 3, Verses 1-3

1. You are a child of God. What gifts have you received as a result? What gifts have you received from God today?

2. God is always present, hovering over us like a mother hen. Why does he not just jump right in and save us from all the messes we get into?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 1-12a

1. Moses received the ten commandments on the mountain. Compare and contrast this with Jesus giving the beatitudes in his sermon on the mount.

2. Is Jesus also talking about his own life when he states the beatitudes? Do you think this is a lesson or an invitation? Why?

Share Your Reflections
Click COMMENTS below and leave your comments and reflections.