"Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst"

The story of the Woman at the Well in the Gospel of John for the Third Sunday of Lent is incredibly rich and full of meaning. It certainly offers plenty of material for fruitful meditation during this season of Lent.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday of Lent, Mar. 23, 2014 (3LentA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
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
Book of Exodus, Chapter 17, Verses 3-7

1. Marching through the desert, panicky with thirst, the Israelites had some difficulty believing that God was with them. Can you relate to this situation in some way? It was a serious confrontation and Moses was afraid for his life. What did he do? What would help you?

2. Think of all the ways water is important in your life. The name of the mountain where Moses struck the rock was Horeb, which means “dry” or “desolate.” What is the significance of this and of the water imagery in salvation history?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 95:  1-2, 6-9

1. The Psalm says that we are the people the Lord shepherds. In what way do you feel like one of his sheep?

2. The Psalm mentions that our spiritual ancestors hardened their hearts at Meribah. Does that also happen to you sometimes? Do you turn away from the Lord and doubt that he cares for you? If so, what is it that allows you to trust the Lord again?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 1-2, 5-8

1. Everything has been done for us. Christ died for all of us, made us deserving and gave us his Spirit to pour God’s love into our hearts. What is our part?

2. Paul says that “the Holy Spirit has been given to us.” What do these words mean to you? Do you rely on the Holy Spirit to come to your aid when you need help? How often do you call on the Holy Spirit?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 4, Verses 5-42

1. “For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans,” the Gospel says. But the woman at the well was a Samaritan. How did Jesus handle this problem, and also the gender issue at the well? When was the only other time Jesus mentions his thirst? Do you think it was the same thirst?

2. Why did the woman leave her jar and go into town to tell everyone what had happened? Does that part of the story have any significance for you? What does “living water” mean to you? For what do you thirst?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

The readings this Second Sunday of Lent are all about calling. We hear about the call of Abraham in the First Reading, the call of Jesus in the Gospel extract and in the Second Reading St Paul speaks about the call of each Christian.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Lent, Mar. 16, 2014 (2LentA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Do you believe Jesus is Truly Present at Communion?

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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 Genesis, Chapter 12, Verses 1-4a

1. God asked Abraham to leave his ties to his family, his society and his home. What was Abraham’s response? Compare it with the Passion. Does Abraham’s experience relate to your Lenten experience in any way? How?

2. Read the blessing God pronounces over Abraham. Who is a “blessing” for you? For whom are you a “blessing”?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-20, 22

1. The Psalm says 'our soul waits for the Lord.' In what way have you experienced a longing for the Lord, and how have you received Him.

2. The Psalm says we are delivered from death by the grace of God, who is our help and our shield. How have you felt shielded from the evil one by the Lord's grace?

Second Reading
Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, Chapter 1, Verses 8b-10

1. Do you think you can live the Gospel without bearing some hardships? Think of some people who suffer hardship on a regular basis because of the way they live the Gospel. How could you use them for role models in some way during Lent?

2. Here are three interpretations. Please discuss and decide: (1) God saves us according to our good works. (2) Good works are our response to God’s love. (3) Our good works have no bearing on whether God saves us.

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 17, Verses 1-9

1. Which apostles witnessed the agony in the garden (Mt 26:37)? Are they the same ones that we see witnessing the transfiguration? What is the connection? Would a transfiguration make people better witnesses of the agony? What would it have done for you?

2. Is there a significance to the “cloud?” What is it? Was there another time Jesus had heard a voice saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”? Do you see anything in the world and your own life that makes you think God well pleased?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please comment on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.  ---

"You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test."

Today's Scripture readings for the first Sunday of Lent immerse us into the depths of this penitential season. The readings and today's Psalm 51 sound overtures of the great themes that we will hear and live over the next six weeks.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
First Sunday of Lent, Mar. 9, 2014 (Lent1A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Should you Confess before you receive Communion?

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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 Genesis, Chapter 2, Verses 7-9; Chapter 3, Verses 1-7

1. Would it be a better world if humans did not have the freedom to choose? Knowing that people would not always resist the temptation to choose evil, why would God ever give the human race free will?

2. After their sin Adam and Eve wanted to cover their bodies. They did not want to be seen as they really were. Is it easy to be honest about faults? If you do become honest about your failings, in the proper circumstances, what is the next step then?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17

1. During this Lenten season, how will your life show sincere repentance? What do we learn from David's example?

2. What concrete steps will you take to resist the temptations the Enemy throws your way? Why not commit to memory (and obedience) some power verses that work for you?

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 12-19

1. “To ransom a slave, you gave away your son.” Could God have redeemed us some other way? Why do you think God would go to this extreme to save us?

2. Christ represents all of humanity before God and his obedience outweighs humanity’s sins or disobedience. Explain what this mean to and for you?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 4, Verses1-11

1. Jesus’ temptation was to deny his divine mission. How does it make you feel to think he had to fight temptation the same way you do?

2. What desert images hold Lenten meanings for you? What part did the Spirit play in this gospel story? What part will you let the Spirit play in your Lent this year?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group 
Please share below your reflections on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
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"But I say to you, love your enemies"

On Sunday, February 23, 2014, we will conclude our reflection on the Sermon on the Mount with Jesus’ exhortation: “Be perfect as your heaven Father is perfect.” As we will see later, perfection has been God’s design and will for man from the beginning.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 23, 2014 (7A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Does the Church permit Organ Donations?

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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 Leviticus, Chapter 19, Verses 1-2, 17-18

1. One way the Lord says to love your neighbor is “You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart . . . cherish no grudge against any of your people.” Is this an easy thing to do? Have you tried it? Will you try again?

2. If we all “loved our neighbors as ourselves” do you think there would be wars, prisons, hunger and poverty? Discuss.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103: 1-4, 8, 10, 12-13

1. This week we are asked to love the 'unlovable' in our lives. How does the Psalm inspire us to be able to do this?

2. The Psalm says that the Lord 'crowns' us with kindness and compassion. How does this enable us to imitate the Lord?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 3, Verses 16-23

1. St. Paul says that “the Spirit of God dwells in you.” When do you remember this? When you have important decisions to make? When you are in serious trouble? When good things happen? Not very often? Will this reading cause you to make changes regarding this issue?

2. In the reading what does Paul say makes you holy? What will happen if anyone destroys you? And, is your neighbor holy too? If this is so, how do you treat the people in your life?.

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 38-48

1. How do you feel about turning the other cheek when someone strikes you on the right cheek? Why would Jesus tell us to “Love your enemies?” Did he show us how to love our enemies? What far was he willing to go for them?

2. What do you think praying for those who persecute you might do for you? Would it be easy to do it? What might help?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your thoughts on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Our gospel for this Sunday narrates the start of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee: “He left Nazareth and made home in Capernaum by the lake in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali” (Matthew 4:12-23). After John was arrested, Jesus withdrew into this land that historically had known great danger and grave sorrow. Later, we will know how providential this was.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 26, 2014 (3A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Can we who are sinful be part of Jesus’ mission?

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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 8, Verse 23; Chapter 9, Verses 1-3

1. Matthew quotes Isaiah’s passage about this half-Jewish, half-Gentile, obscure, gloomy region of the world. What is he telling us? Is it God’s common practice to use the small or humble to announce the glorious and profound? If so, name some other instances.

2. Why does the Church use the same passage that we hear at Christmas now during Ordinary Time? Is there a Christmas message that you like to think about all year? What is that message?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

1. What does Verse 13 of the Psalm mean to you? ("I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living.")

2.  Verse 1 of the Psalm says, "The Lord is my life's refuge;" How have you made the Lord your life's refuge?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 1, Verses 10-13, 17

1. Is Paul talking about quarreling to the Corinthians or to your parish? If Paul fixed this problem in his time with his message why do we still have the problem today?

2. There will always be disagreements. Is there a way to handle them so that good or growth could come out of them? How?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 4, Verses 12-23

1. What human need do you see Jesus exhibiting in the second half of this gospel story? Why were friends important to him? Why is the community important to Christianity?

2. What was Peter’s and Andrew’s response time? How fast is your response time when you are inspired to do something for your neighbor, e.g. to give time or money to the earthquake victims?


Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?"

On Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, we stretch still farther the celebration of Christmas with the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. An “epiphany” is an appearance, a manifestation. In our readings for the Holy Mass (Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6, Matthew 2:1–12) with their rising stars, splendid lights and revealed mysteries, the face of the Child born on Christmas day appears and is made known throughout the world. The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13) aptly describes the Epiphany with this acclamation: “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Jan. 5, 2014 (EpiphanyA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Why do we say the Rosary at Catholic funerals?

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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 60, verses 1-6

1. Even though darkness covered the earth, light and glory had come to Jerusalem. Isaiah wanted to make the Israelites take notice .Do you notice God’s actions in your life?

2. Does Jerusalem have light of her own? Are nations coming to her light or to the Christ-light? What do you think draws people to the Church today?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

1. The Psalm says that 'profound peace' will flower when our newborn King arrives. Speak of what this verse means to you and how you gain inner peace and strength from the arrival of our Savior.

2. Our psalmist writes that the King will save the lives of the poor and rescue the afflicted. Give an example of how you have been healed by our Lord physically, spiritually, or emotionally.

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, Chapter 3, Verses 2-3, 5-6

1. Just what was this manifestation that brightened the whole world? Why was a star an integral part of the story?

2. “It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed…by the Spirit.” When did people first learn that God wanted to save all creation and not just a chosen people? Do you think God planned to keep this a secret or do you think God reveals things to people little by little? How does God work in your life?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 2, Verses 1-12

1. God sent the Magi a message, and they rode their camels across half the known world. What would cause you to put forth effort like this? What made the search worth it for them? For you?

2. Compare Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Compare Herod and the Magi. What does this say about the places and people God chooses?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your thoughts on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

"Prepare the way of the Lord."

We began the Advent Season last Sunday with a reading from Matthew's Gospel about the announcement of “the coming of the Son of Man”, also known as the Second Coming. The gospel reading summoned us to “stay awake”. This Sunday, again from Matthew (Matthew 3:1-12), we will hear John the Baptist proclaiming: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is the high point of Advent - the kingdom that Jesus prayed for when He first came will be fully realized when He comes again. Maranatha!

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 5, 2010 (2AdvAC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Did John the Baptist go straight to heaven upon his death?

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 11, Verses 1-10

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 8, 2013 (2AdvAC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Did John the Baptist go straight to heaven upon his death?

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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 11, Verses 1-10

1. “The earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord.” Von Balthasaar says this is a “drenching of the entire being with the inner understanding of what God is.” Discuss this idea. How does this relate to peace in the reading?

2. You received the gifts of the Holy Spirit in baptism: wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence and wonder and awe in the presence of God. How do these relate to the peace in your heart?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

1. This Sunday's Psalm speaks of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is to be endowed by God as a just King. Describe how you will make room for the Lord in your life so that He may govern how you conduct yourself this Advent season.

2. Our psalmist writes about the profound peace that will flourish when the Messiah arrives. Tell of how you will receive the Lord's peace during Advent and how this will affect your life.

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 15, Verses 4-9

1. Would Paul be giving the same advice to the Church today that we read in this letter? For instance, do you welcome or accept others with whom you differ? According to Paul, how does God extend mercy to those who know nothing of the covenant?

2. There are people with whom you disagree. How easy is it to “think in harmony” with them? Why think in harmony with them instead of just going along with them, or being nice, or acting like you agree with them?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 3, Verses 1-12

1. Compare John’s baptism of repentance with Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. What is that fire? What does it do?

2. Is the fire within you a conflagration or does it look more like a pilot light? What can you do during Advent to gather some kindling for your fire?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.