"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."

Sunday’s Scripture texts for Dec. 21, 2014 (4AdvB) describe God’s promise to David and its fulfillment in Jesus, the Son of David. From the First Reading, David expresses his sincere desire to build a temple for God but it is actually God who will build his own house and establish a great family of descendents: the House of David.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 21, 2014 (4AdvB)
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: Was the Blessed Virgin Mary a Virgin Forever?

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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
Second book of Samuel, Chapter 7, Verses 1-5, 8b-12, 14a,16

1. Define “house” first as David uses it in this reading. Could the word “family” be substituted for “house” as the Lord uses it in response to David? Where might God dwell besides in a tent or building? Where does the real Church reside?

2. Compare and contrast what David wants to give God with what God did for David? Can you relate to “receiving much more than you give”? What happens to you when you open up just a little to God? God’s gift which brought David’s house to perfection was David’s Heir. Who was that?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

1. Our Psalm response is, 'Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.' One reason to sing of the Lord's goodness is because His promises are trustworthy. Describe how you have relied on the promises of the Lord in your journey.

2. David is to call out to the Lord, 'You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.' We too are inspired to cry out to God in a similar way. Tell of the times when you have felt like crying out to God in worship and praise.

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 16, Verses 25-27

1. What was the “mystery kept secret for long ages”? Do you think the “mystery” was really a secret or possibly was it not understood till Jesus became man? What does the Incarnation reveal to you about God?

2. If all people believed that the message of God’s saving plan is for “all nations” what would happen to conflict between nations, selfishness that creates poverty and starvation and the disparity of wealth? Is there anything you can do to brighten up some of this darkness?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 1, Verses 26-38

1. Can you relate to Mary’s unconditional “yes” to God, or is your yes conditional? If you do say yes, will God come take up residence in your life?

2. What could God do for the wounded in the world through your hands if he were invited to take up residence in the deepest part of your soul?

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

"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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"We have found the Messiah"

In this Sunday's Readings - Second Sunday In Ordinary Time (2B), January 18, 2015 - John the Baptist looks hard at Jesus and says, ‘Look there is the Lamb of God.’ The two disciples with him immediately follow Jesus. Our Discussion Questions below will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Jan. 18, 2015 (2B)
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: Do 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
1 Samuel, Chapter 3, Verses 3-10, 19

1. Does God always "call" at the perfect time? Is there confusion sometimes when God calls? It took Samuel three times to get it right; do you always recognize God's call right away? Explain.

2. Samuel was a young boy at the time of this reading. But aren't the most experienced sages always the ones called to do God's work? Which category do you fit into? "Experienced sage"? "Young child"? What is God calling you to do?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

1. In this beautiful Psalm our psalmist speaks of waiting, waiting for the Lord. Tell what it means to you to have waited for the Lord, and what has been the result of your presenting yourself to the Lord?

2. Our psalmist is delighted to do God's will; he says to God, "your law is within my heart!" Have you also felt the Lord's pleasure when you obey him and serve him? What does it mean to you to say God's law is within my heart?

Second Reading
1 Corinthians, Chapter 6, Verses 13-15, 17-20


1. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?" How is your awareness of the Holy Spirit within you? Does it help you show reverence for all the people in your life?

2. Do you call on the Holy Spirit for guidance? Do you get it? Explain. Do you receive some peace along with the guidance? Does the Holy Spirit enjoy, indeed, wait to be called upon for help?

Gospel
John, Chapter 1, Verses 35-42

1. Jesus asked, "What are you looking for"? What do you think he meant? How would you answer that question?

2. The second loaded question, "Where are you staying," could be restated, "Where can we spend time with you?" Do you spend time in the presence of God? Did the disciples find what they were looking for when they spent time with Jesus? What was that? Will it work for you?

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