The theme of all the readings for this Sunday is salvation. Luke’s gospel (Luke 3:1-6) and the first two readings (Baruch 5:1-9 and Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11) speak about it in different ways. Salvation is God’s free gift. He saves us out of His love and from him alone can our salvation come. The Responsorial Psalm describes it very well with this phrase: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 9, 2012 (2AdvC)
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: Can non-Catholic people go to heaven?
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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
Baruch 5:1-9
1. In the First Reading, Baruch wrote a message of hope for the People of God, suffering in exile. Where are the valleys in the life of the People of God today? Where are mountains? What about your personal life?
2. God gave Jerusalem the name “the Peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.” Does this name fit us today? What would you like God to rename your parish, your community, you?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 126: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
1. Our psalmist reminds us, 'We are filled with joy,' because the Lord has done great things for us! Tell of how these verses speak to you during this Advent season of the arrival of our incarnate Lord.
2. The Psalm says, 'Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.' Describe how repentance has led to salvation in your spiritual life.
Second Reading
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
1. Discernment is listening to the Spirit in a given human situation. A discerning person celebrates Advent (watches for God’s coming) all year round. Discuss.
2. “The one who began a good work in you will complete it” if you remain on the path or The Way, St. Paul says. Who is the instigator of the good work in you? Does this imply that you trust yourself or trust God to complete these works?
Gospel
Luke 3:1-6
1. Why does Luke belabor all the historical references in the beginning of this reading? Would we find those names in history books?
2. What is the significance of the sentence, “All flesh shall see the salvation of God”? What are the implications for the Church if the entire world is included in this plan? What are the implications for you?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your thoughts online on the Sunday Readings. And please do use these questions for your own Bible study sessions with family and friends.
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“The Lord has done great things for us.”
ReplyDeleteThe Psalm speaks about the joyous
return of Israel from exile and captivity.
“The Lord has restored the fortunes of
Zion.” As we hear in our 1st reading from
the Book of Baruch, Jerusalem is to take
off her robe of misery and to put on the
splendor of God forever. Truly,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
But there is more -- as the Psalm says,
“The Lord has done great things for us
as well. What could be more wonderful
than what Christ does for us, in leading
us out of our spiritual captivity in a sinful
world, to a place of splendor where the
Father dwells. We are restored by the
Lord’s grace, and our spiritual dryness
is filled with the baptismal waters, like
the dry stream beds of the Negeb.
But we must do our part – the sowing
of tears is a time of repentance for us.
It is just as John the Baptist proclaims
in the Gospel – we must be baptized in
repentance, for the forgiveness of our sins.
And what is the sign of true repentance?
It is when one produces good fruit by
what we sow. As the Psalm says,
“Those who go forth weeping, carrying
sacks of seed, will return with cries of joy,
carrying their bundled sheaves.”
Finally the Psalm reminds us that the
truly great thing the Lord has done for us
is to send His only begotten Son to be by
our side. Jesus’ presence is a guarantee
of a spiritual harvest that leads to our
own salvation.
Amen