"Receive the Holy Spirit."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012 (PentecostB)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings: Vigil Mass
Sunday Readings: Sunday Mass
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: What does the Holy Spirit do in your life?

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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
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

1. In the First Reading the Holy Spirit is given as tongues of fire accompanied by a strong driving wind. In the Gospel Jesus was in the disciples’ midst and gave them the Spirit too by breathing on them. Do you have an idea how there could be two different descriptions of this superatural event?

2. Did the Holy Spirit come only once in history, to the apostles and Mary in the upper room? Or do you see the Holy Spirit as dynamic and constant in every life? How were the disciples different after the Spirit’s arrival? Are you different when you are confident that the Spirit is with you? Explain.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

1. Our Psalm reminds us that we are dependent on the Lord for our very breath. Tell about what makes you aware of the 'divine Breath' in your life.

2. Our Sunday Psalm Response is, 'Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.' Is the Holy Spirit doing a work in you? Are you a 'new creation?' Speak about your baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Second Reading
Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13


1. “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” Were Vivaldi and Michelangelo given gifts solely for their own pleasure? For whose benefit were they given? What are your gifts and for what benefit were they given to you and those around you?

2. St. Alphonsus Rodriguez was a Jesuit Brother (1533-1617), whose job for forty years was to answer the door of the Jesuit College in Majorca. Would his spiritual gift of service compare to that of St. Francis Xavier, who converted whole countries? How?

Gospel
John 20:19-23

1. Jesus “breathed” on them. How does this relate to Genesis 2:7, “God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life?” How is this significant for you? How important is the Holy Spirit to you?

2. Jesus said, “Peace be with you…,” and the disciples’ first task after receiving the Holy Spirit was to forgive sins. What impact does forgiveness of sin have on peace? Is it always easy to forgive? How peaceful do you feel when you experience problems with forgiveness?

Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. 
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"Child, your sins are forgiven."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time, Feb. 19, 2012 (7B)
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: Should you Confess before 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
Isaiah, Chapter 43, Verses 18-19, 21-22, 24-25

1. God says he is wiping out the people’s sins for his own sake. Does this mean that he is not doing it for the sake of the people? Have they displeased him? Does this mean that even our sins cannot prevent God from loving us and forgiving us?

2. In this reading, God says, "I am doing something new!....your sins I remember no more.” How does it make you feel to know that forgiveness and mercy are available to you all the time, even when you don't deserve them; that God isn’t keeping track of all your evil deeds, but forgets them all instead? How are you at forgetting other people’s transgressions against you?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 41: 2-3, 4-5, 13-14

1. The Psalm speaks about the need for healing when one has sinned against the Lord. Our psalmist says the Lord will help the sinner on his sickbed. Do you believe that being in a state of sin is the same as being afflicted with a sickness? If so, who is the physician that will take away your ailment and how do you get him to cure you?

2. Our psalmist seeks to stand in the Lord's presence forever. He also suggests that he will be restored from his misfortune because of his regard for the weak and the lowly. Does this remind you of the regard that our savior Jesus also had for the weak. What do you have to do to be able to stand in the Lord's presence for all eternity?

Second Reading
2 Corinthians, Chapter 1, Verses 18-22
1. What does a “first installment” of the Spirit imply? What does it mean to you to have the Holy Spirit in your heart, ready to help you in any and every circumstance of your life? Do you ever remember this gift when you are in trouble?

2. The Spirit is in your heart helping you in all things. If this is the first installment, then what do you suppose the final installment or the payment in full will be?

Gospel
Mark, Chapter 2, Verses 1-12

1. What obstacles might have stood in the way of the men taking their paralyzed friend to Jesus? Whose faith did Jesus reward? Do obstacles stop you? What allows you to do the impossible? Referring to the fact that the friends got the paralytic in to see Jesus, discuss Willa Cather’s statement: “Where there is great love, there are miracles.”

2. Why were the scribes concerned about Jesus forgiving sins? Jesus said, "Which is easier, to say...' Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, "Rise, pick up your mat and walk?'" So why do you think Jesus performed that miracle?

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