Still on the theme of love, this Sunday we will hear the emphasis on keeping the word: “Whoever loves me will keep my word.” To help the disciples observe what the Lord taught them, he promised them the Holy Spirit: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 5, 2013 (6EasterC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
The following prepared Discussion Questions on this Sunday's Readings are intended for use by your discussion groups, prayer groups, or for your individual prayer and reflection.
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 15, Verses 1-2, 22-29
1. Is there any growth without tension? Would the Church be better off if there were never dissension and debate? Do the present shames and accusations against the Church have any growth value (besides all the harm done). Is it all “their” fault, or are we all involved?
2. Was this a ceasefire or did the early Christians in this story actually make concessions? Discuss the value of both listening and then representing your own view when coming to work out a problem. How are your listening skills? Do you try to see the other person’s point of view?
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 67: 2-3, 5-6, 8
1. Our psalmist asks that God will let His face shine upon us. Tell of how you have felt the radiance of God when He is present to you.
2. The Psalm prays that the Lord's 'way' be known among all nations. What have you done personally to encourage others to follow the 'way' of the Lord?
Second Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, Verses 10-14, 22-23
1. Is all of salvation history included in John’s vision? Whichever answer you give, tell why.
2. In his vision John describes what we will see when we meet Christ face to face. How do we see Christ now? Where do we meet him now?
Gospel
According to John, Chapter 14, Verses 23-29
1. When you love someone you want to be with that person. How does this relate with the statement, “Whoever loves me, we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” How do you feel about Jesus when he talks like this? What does it tell you about God?
2. The second great gift in this reading is the promise of the Holy Spirit who will teach us everything. Do you think there could be a direct proportion between how much a person loves and how much the Holy Spirit is being allowed to live in that person?
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.
Sunday Readings (Cycle C)
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: What does the Holy Spirit do in your life?
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“May God be gracious to us and bless us;
ReplyDeletemay God's face shine upon us.”
So much that God does for us is contained
in this opening verse of the Psalm. God gives
us His grace through His son Jesus, who is
our Savior. And we all want God’s blessings as
the Psalm says. Since the time of Moses,
God’s chosen people have reached out for
God’s blessings.
God gives us material blessings –
all our treasure and gifts are from Him.
And thankfully, He gives us spiritual blessings
as well – as St. Paul tells us, to each individual
the manifestation of the spirit is given for
some benefit.
No wonder that we Gentiles were attracted
to the faith, when St. Paul and Barnabas
were traveling through the towns and visiting
the early churches. And what could be better
than to have God's face shine upon us, as the
psalmist says. We have a hint of what the
radiance of God's face may be like in
our 2nd reading, where St. John speaks of
the light of God's glory that shines in the
city of heaven.
By ministering to the Gentiles the 'way' of
the Lord became known upon earth among
all the nations, as the Psalm says. Indeed the
Psalm predicts that God’s saving power shall
be known among all the peoples. Thankfully,
that includes us.
Today we join with our psalmist and the members
of the early church in praising God –
“May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.”
Amen