"For this purpose have I come."

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Feb. 5, 2012 (5B)
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: Is it a sin to believe in horoscopes?

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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
Job, Chapter 7, Verses 1-4, 6-7

1. Do you feel like Job sometimes? Do you understand the purpose of suffering? Give some reasons why you think God allows suffering. Can you still have faith in God even if you don't understand why God allows people to suffer?

2. Could God have redeemed the world by saying a word, breathing on it, or sending his Son merely to be with us? Why do you think God chose a suffering Messiah to redeem humankind?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 147: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

1. Our Psalm response this Sunday is, 'Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.' Explain how the verses of the Psalm give you hope that the Lord will 'bind up your wounds.'

2. Our psalmist says that the Lord 'calls each of the stars by name.' Does this verse give you comfort that our Creator also knows your name and seeks you out despite the infinite size of the universe? What does this verse mean to you?

Second Reading
1Corinthians, Chapter 9, Verses 16-19, 22-23


1. What drove Paul to the point that he would do anything for the sake of the Gospel?
What passion drives you to do the things that you do?

2. St. Paul said, “I have made myself a slave to all….To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some.” Explain what Paul meant by these words. How far would you go to become a “slave.., servant… or become whatever people need” in order to bring the good news to them? What might you have to sacrifice to do that?

Gospel
Mark, Chapter 1, Verses 29-39

1. Do you think this Gospel text was written to tell people about Jesus, the miracle worker? Could the miracles be a confirmation of Jesus’ message of salvation? What did he say was the “purpose for which he came”?

2. Jesus as a person used every bit of energy he possessed to carry out his mission. Find examples in this Gospel for this reality. How does “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed” fit in with his tireless effort to carry out his ministry? How close are you to Jesus in using all your energy for some purpose? What is that purpose?

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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