Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 22, 2012 (16B)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: What is the Communion of Saints?
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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
Jeremiah 23:1-6
1.
In this First Reading the Lord speaks to the bad shepherds (leaders of
his people). What are the priorities or values of a shepherd whose sheep
tremble and fear? What are the priorities and values of a good
shepherd?
2. Imagine that you are a caretaker of people like a
shepherd is for sheep. What can you do about the fear people experience
all over the world due to injustice? Can you do anything to remedy any
of the injustice? Is there anything you can do about unfair situations
in your own town?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23: 1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
1. Our Psalm speaks of the Lord as our shepherd. Do you believe you
are one of His sheep? What does it mean to be counted among His flock?
2.
Our psalmist says that the Lord anoints his head with oil. Are you one
of the Lord's anointed? Describe how the Lord is using you as one of
His anointed.
Second Reading
Ephesians 2:13-18
1.
Paul was a Jew preaching to Gentiles and also a Christian preaching to
Jews. There were a lot of barriers or dividing walls as Paul calls them.
Discuss dividing walls present today among peoples of different
beliefs, races or cultures.
2. What are the dividing walls in the
Church today? Which ones seem most impenetrable to you? Using this
Second Reading as a guide, what might people do who would like to
resolve their differences, or break down walls that divide them?
Gospel
Mark 6:30-34
1.
What does Jesus do in this Gospel story that is an example of good
shepherding? Discuss compassion versus power as attributes of
leadership.
2. In the the First Reading (Jeremiah 23:3) God makes
this touching statement: ”I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them and bring them back to
their meadow.” Discuss the relation of that promise from God to the
following description of Jesus from the Gospel : “When he disembarked
and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they
were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).
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.
Showing posts with label Good shepherd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good shepherd. Show all posts
Thursday
"I am the good shepherd."
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday of Easter, Apr. 29, 2012 (Easter4B)
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: Can non-Catholics go to heaven?
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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 4:8-12
1. Was the healing of the cripple Peter’s miracle or Christ’s? Do either of them still heal people today? How can Jesus use you to help heal people? If you ask, will Jesus heal you?
2. In this reading Peter responds to attempts to discredit Jesus’ message. Do you see efforts to discredit Jesus’ message in the world today? Name some.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29
1. Our psalmist reminds us more than once to trust God, not mortals or princes. Even though you may not have seen the Lord in person, do you have any difficulty trusting in one you have not seen? Explain.
2. The Psalm says, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' This verse is used in scripture to welcome Jesus. Discuss how you have welcomed Jesus into your life.
Second Reading
1 John 3:1-2
1. What gifts have you received as a child of God? What gifts have you received from God today?
2. God is always present, hovering over us like a mother hen. Why does God not just jump right in and save us from all the messes we get into?
Gospel
John 10: 11-18
1. The shepherd goes out of the sheepfold to get “other” sheep. What does that say about exclusivity? Do you think social justice, ethical fairness or love was the reason the shepherd included the other sheep? Where are you regarding exclusivity/inclusivity on a continuum with the shepherd at one end and the hired hand at the other?
2. Jesus said, “I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” Jesus applies the Trinitarian love-recognition between him and his Father to the recognition between himself and his own. What does this tell you about how well you are known and how much you are loved? For whom will you lay down your life?
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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Fourth Sunday of Easter, Apr. 29, 2012 (Easter4B)
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: Can non-Catholics go to heaven?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts 4:8-12
1. Was the healing of the cripple Peter’s miracle or Christ’s? Do either of them still heal people today? How can Jesus use you to help heal people? If you ask, will Jesus heal you?
2. In this reading Peter responds to attempts to discredit Jesus’ message. Do you see efforts to discredit Jesus’ message in the world today? Name some.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29
1. Our psalmist reminds us more than once to trust God, not mortals or princes. Even though you may not have seen the Lord in person, do you have any difficulty trusting in one you have not seen? Explain.
2. The Psalm says, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' This verse is used in scripture to welcome Jesus. Discuss how you have welcomed Jesus into your life.
Second Reading
1 John 3:1-2
1. What gifts have you received as a child of God? What gifts have you received from God today?
2. God is always present, hovering over us like a mother hen. Why does God not just jump right in and save us from all the messes we get into?
Gospel
John 10: 11-18
1. The shepherd goes out of the sheepfold to get “other” sheep. What does that say about exclusivity? Do you think social justice, ethical fairness or love was the reason the shepherd included the other sheep? Where are you regarding exclusivity/inclusivity on a continuum with the shepherd at one end and the hired hand at the other?
2. Jesus said, “I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” Jesus applies the Trinitarian love-recognition between him and his Father to the recognition between himself and his own. What does this tell you about how well you are known and how much you are loved? For whom will you lay down your life?
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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