Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 17, 2010 (2C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Burning Question: What are 4 components of conjugal life in matrimony?
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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
Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 62, Verses 1-5
1. Why does Isaiah use intimate marital imagery when explaining the relationship between God and the people? Does love between human beings help you understand how much God loves people?
2. The Lord gives new names to Israel in this First Reading (“a glorious crown in the Lord’s hand,” “A Royal Diadem [crown],” “My Delight,” and “Espoused”). How would you interpret these loving names in light of the New Testament?
Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 12, Verses 4-11
1. Why do you think people are given talents such as Van Gogh’s and Bach’s or spiritual gifts such as the ones mentioned in the reading? Should everyone have the same talents? Are you using the talents God gave you?
2. Paul mentions the gifts of faith, healing, mighty deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, varieties of tongues and interpretations of tongues. Are such gifts still needed in your community? Where do they come from?
Gospel
According to John Chapter 2, Verses 1-11
1. Surprisingly, when his own mother said, “They have no wine,” Jesus replied, “How does your concern affect me?” Wasn’t this a rude answer? Why did he say it? In spite of his response, Mary trusted that he would somehow solve the problem. If her trust rates “ten” on a scale of ten, where would you put your own trust when you go to God with your concerns?
2. This Sunday, together with the previous two (i.e., Epiphany, the Lord’s Baptism, and now the miracle at Cana), mark the beginning of Jesus’ public mission (even though he denies it in today’s reading). Compare and contrast the three events.
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the above Sunday Readings with other ParishWorld readers. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
Since all three constitute the Lord's revelation to humanity, they are connected. I spent some time thinking about the Cana event during prayer today and I considered something I had never heard before. Here it is: Perhaps Cana might be seen as the transition experience from Our Lord being "at home" where Mary is His mother (in the natural order) to his "leaving" home and now "joined" the Church in the persons of the Apostles. Further, Mary then transforms to "the woman" who is not just the mother of Jesus but now becomes the Mother of the Church. All her earlier activities and actions were focused on her Son. Now she becomes focused on His Body-the Church-with her famous admontion to us all--Do Whatever He Asks. She focuses from this point on as the Queen Mother, interceding for her "other children"-the Church. Just a meditation I had today.
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