January 24, 2010 - “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 24, 2010 (3C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios

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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 Nehemiah
Chapter 8, Verses 2-4, 5-6, 8-10

1. Why does Ezra say “today” is holy? What is significant about “today” for Jesus? Do you live in the past or the future? What is the only time you have for sure? What happens to “now” if you spend all your time looking backward or forward?

2. Do you see any growth in the relationship between God and people from the Old Testament reading on Sunday to the Corinthians one to the Gospel? Do you think everything we would ever know was stated during Jesus’ time or does the Holy Spirit give the Church new insights as it needs them?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians
Chapter 12, Verses 12-30

1. Some people’s gift is to diffuse tension in a meeting. What if such a person is missing from a meeting? What happens? Is that kind of gift more or less important than administering the parish, community or diocese? Why? What is your gift to the community?

2. If you had your choice of gifts which ones would you choose? Why? If you have a gift and you never use it, what will happen to it? Can you name some of your gifts?

Gospel
According to Luke
Chapter 1, Verses 1-4, Chapter 4, Verses 14-21

1. Jesus went to Nazareth, his hometown. People there thought of him as Mary and Joseph’s son. Suddenly he claims to be the Messiah. What would your reaction have been to such a declaration?

2. Jesus said he had been anointed to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind and to let the oppressed go free. Where would you look for Jesus if he were here today? Is the Church where you would seek him? Do you insulate yourself from the poor and tell yourself that you couldn’t do anything to help anyway? Is there some small thing you could do for people needing assistance?


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January 17, 2010 - “Do whatever he tells you.”

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.


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January 10, 1010 - “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Sunday Readings' Reflections
Feast of the Lord's Baptism, January 10, 2009 (BaptismofLordC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios para Domingo
Burning Question: Why do Catholics baptize babies?

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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 42, verses 1-4, 6-7
optional: Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 40, verses 1-5, 9-11

1. In this reading (Isaiah 42), God says to the suffering servant, ”Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.” Then in the Gospel a voice comes from heaven, saying to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” What are the implications?

2. Wastelands, deserts, rugged land and rough country (Isaiah 40). Could these words describe the world today? The Church? Your spiritual life? Does this reading suggest that there is help in fixing these or do you have to do it all yourself?

Second Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 10, Verses 34-38
optional: Letter of St. Paul to Titus, Chapter 2, verses 11-14 & Chapter 3, verses 4-7

1. Did we do anything to earn salvation? Why does God give it to us? What does St. Paul in his letter to Titus say about the extravagance of God’s gift to us?

2. In the reading from Acts Peter is quoted as saying this about Jesus: “He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil.” Compare this with Isaiah in the First Reading: “I formed you…to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 3, Verses 15-16, 21-22

1. John the Baptist was the middleman. He pointed back to Isaiah and forward to Jesus, connecting the whole plan. What or who are the “middlemen” who connect you with God? In what way are you a middleman?

2. Jesus stood in line with everyone else to be baptized. What does this tell you about him? Can you think of anything that God asks you to do that Jesus didn’t experience in some way?

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December 20, 2009 - "Blessed are you among women"

Sunday Readings' Reflections
Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 20, 2009 (4AdvC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios para Domingo

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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
Micah, Chapter 5, Verses 1-4

1. With “embracing majestic ruler” at one end of the continuum and “embracing poverty” at the other, where do you think the Church falls? Why? Where would you like to see it fall? Explain.

2. If you were expecting a majestic ruler how would you have felt about the stable and manger? When you experience poverty in your life, do you accept it as a meeting place with God or do you run from it?

Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 10, Verses 5-10

1. Why do you think this reading about the “offering of the body of Christ” was chosen for the fourth Sunday of Advent?

2. St. Paul said “by this ‘will’ we have been consecrated” once for all. That means we have been made holy (by association with Christ); set aside. Who is it that has been made holy? Why is Christ’s sacrifice infinitely effective?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 1, Verses 39-45

1. The infant “leaped for joy” in his mother’s womb at the recognition of the savior. Discuss this moment as mankind’s welcome to the savior. How close do you come to “leaping for joy” when you recognize God’s presence in your life?

2. Where does Mary’s greatness lie in salvation history? How about you? When the Holy Spirit gives you insights, do you always believe them or act on them?

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December 13, 2009, Third Sunday of Advent - "But one mightier than I is coming"

Sunday Readings Reflections
Third Sunday of Advent, December 13, 2009 (3AdvC)

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios para Domingo
Discussion Questions & Online Bible Study
Burning Question: Should Catholics be offfended by the term "Xmas"?


First Reading
Zephaniah, Chapter 3, Verses 14-18

1. ”He will sing joyfully because of you.” This sentence paints a picture. What are some examples in the world about which you might say, “Listen, God is singing”?

2. Do not fear the Lord is in our midst. This reading says it twice. Have you ever remembered the presence of God in the middle of a crisis? What effect did it have on the you?

Second Reading
Philippians, Chapter 4, Verses 4-7

. St. Paul says that peace will guard our hearts and minds. The conditions? We must rejoice in the Lord always, be kind to all, lose anxiety, make all our requests known to God and thank God as though he has already granted the requests. It is a long list. Are you better at some than others? Which ones need improvement?

2. Maybe you rejoice when you are singing at Mass on Sunday. Are there other times during the week that you experience such joy? What makes you happy in the Lord?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 3, Verses 10-18

1. What kind of people went to hear John the Baptist and repent? Would you show up to hear someone like John today? What would you want to see and hear? Can people be prophets even though their looks or their behavior is a departure from the norm?

2. When the tax collectors, soldiers and others asked John a question. What should they do to be forgiven and prepare to start a new life? He told them to share their food and clothing with the poor; to be honest and just with their neighbors. How do you think he would answer in today’s world if you asked him that question?

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December 6, 2009, Second Sunday of Advent - "Prepare the way of the Lord"

Sunday Readings Reflections
Second Sunday of Advent, December 6, 2009 (2AdvC)

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios para Domingo
Homilies for Sunday
Burning Question: Did John the Baptist go to heaven right after his death?

First Reading
Baruch, Chapter 5, Verses 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 the 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?

Second Reading
Philippians, Chapter 1, Verses 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 good works in you? Does this imply that you trust yourself or trust God to complete these works?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 3, Verses 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 does it imply for you?

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November 29, 2009, First Sunday of Advent - "Be vigilant at all times"

Sunday Readings Reflections
First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2009 (1AdvC)

Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios para Domingo
Homilies for Sunday
Burning Question: What does "pray without ceasing" mean?


First Reading
Jeremiah, Chapter 33: Verses 14-16

1. Advent is a process of looking back at Christ’s birth and the inauguration of his kingdom on earth and looking forward to it fulfillment. What does Advent awaken in you? Does anything in your daily life interfere with your spiritual Advent preparation?

2. Why is Advent called the season of hope? Why is hope vital to your life? What would your life be like without hope? What can you do to bring hope to people you know?

Second Reading
1 Thessalonians, Chapter 3, Verse 12 - Chapter 4, Verse 28

1. St. Paul says that the same Jesus who lived and died and rose from the dead is present and active among us now making us increase (in numbers) and abound in love for one another and for all. How do you think “increasing in numbers” correlates with “abounding in love for one another and for all”?

2. St. Paul said he “abounded in love” for the Thessalonians to strengthen their hearts. Discuss “abounding in love” as an effective method of strengthening hearts or eliciting change of any kind. Do you think great change or growth ever happens without immense love?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 21, Verses 25-28, 34-36

1. Jesus tells us to pray for strength. Do you believe that if you ask for strength you will receive it? Could God send it through other people? Could you be a source of strength for others?

2. Jesus is God’s last Word (Christ’s Incarnation) to us. Discuss this idea.

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