A sad scene, and puzzling too. Why is Jesus saying such things to his followers? And how are we supposed to understand them?
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 26, 2012 (21B)
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: Must we believe the Church 100% to be Catholic?
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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
Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
1. Both the First Reading and the Gospel are concerned with choice. The Israelites gave reasons for choosing to serve the Lord. “For it was the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, …performed miracles…and protected us.” What is your reason for choosing God?
2. In which do you have more invested, a choice you made or a choice someone else made for you? What are the implications for your family, church, job and community?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21
1. If we truly serve the Lord, we can be confident that 'He will watch over all our bones', as the Psalmist says. Explain how your faith has given you peace and strength in the face of your afflictions.
2. We are engaged in a spiritual battle with the evil one and his helpers, but our Psalmist says that the Lord will confront evildoers and destroy them. Tell of how you have been able to defeat evil with the Lord on your side.
Second Reading
Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32
1. Compare and contrast the bride with a difficult childbirth and the Church with the birth of new ideas.
2. What idea do you think Paul is trying to communicate by comparing the relationship between husband wife with Christ and the Church?
Gospel
John 6:60-69
1. Compare Joshua and Peter. What good leadership qualities do you find in these readings? What qualities would you like to see in Church leadership today? If you had a say, how would you set up Church “management”?
2. Jesus asks, “Do you also want to leave?” If you were there would you be one of the many disciples who returned to his/her former way of life or one that stayed with Jesus? Is there any middle ground here? Discuss.
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your thoughts on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
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