"Well done, my good and faithful servant."

These are Bible Study Questions for this Sunday's Gospel story which presents us with the last of the three parables that form Jesus' final discourse in Matthew's Gospel. Each of the three parables relates a different kind of accountability required of Christians as they prepare for their glorious encounter with Christ.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 16, 2014 (33A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Is it OK for God to get angry?

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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 Proverbs, Chapter 31, Verses 10-13, 19-20, 30-31

1. “The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Do you see a connection between the woman in this reading with the wise servant portrayed in the Gospel? What is the return on her investment? How does fear of the Lord (awe and wonder in the presence of God) help make a person wise?

2. Would you call the woman in this reading holy? Why? Do you know some people like her? What actions do they perform that you would call holy?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 128: 1-5

1. The Psalm says that those who fear the Lord will be blessed, and favored. Explain in what way you are being blessed materially and spiritually as a consequence of your faith.

2. The Psalm makes reference to a fruitful vine and olive plants as an example of how a man is blessed if he fears the Lord. This reminds us that our Lord is the vine and we are the branches. Explain how we bear fruit by having a right relationship with the Lord.

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 5, Verses 1-6


1. Can you be “overtaken like a thief at night” by “the day of the Lord”? Are you always ready? Almost ready? Dozing a little?

2. With false security concerning death at one end of the continuum and constant dread at the other, where would you put yourself? Explain.

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 25, Verses 14-30

1. God gives Spirit to human creatures because God is, in essence, self-donation. God’s nature, then, pushes us to cooperate with it by giving it away. What has been freely received is freely given. When Spirit is given away, it doubles. Explain the Gospel parable in light of this theory.

2. The servant who received one talent was afraid of losing it and so hid it in the ground. Thus, spiritual growth involves risk, as do love and trust. Are you willing to take risks, or do you react out of fear? If you were a leader in the Church, what kind of risks would you take to insure growth and meeting the needs of the faithful?

Sunday Bible Study Group

Please comment on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. 
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“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

On the Feast of St. John Lateran we hear about the only recorded act of violence by Jesus. We reflect upon this and explain why there are things that Christians should hold as worth fighting for. Jesus referred to the temple in Jerusalem as "my Father's house." So why did Jesus get so angry in the Gospel? Was this an act of love? How could it be?


Discussion Questions for Sunday's Readings 
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome (32A)
November 9, 2014

SUNDAY READINGS

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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
Ezekiel, Chapter 47, Verses 1-2, 8-9, 12

1. Water in this reading transforms all that it touches. Discuss. Water is also a symbol of the presence of God. How does this presence or your memory of it transform things in your life?

2. Compare salt water with fresh water. What does the following sentence mean to you: “This water empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh”?

Second Reading
First Corinthians, Chapter 3, Verses 9c-11, 16-17

1. Paul had just finished reprimanding the Corinthians for the divisions among them and he reminded them that they were one in Christ. Would St. Paul have to write a new homily for the Church of 2008? Discuss the pros and cons of divisions.

2. Paul asks, “Do you not know the Spirit of God dwells in you?” If so, can you ask the Holy Spirit for help when you need it? Do you think the Holy Spirit knows what you need even when you don’t? Could you show reverence for someone because the Holy Spirit is in that person?

Gospel
John, Chapter 2, Verses 13-22

1. Which of the following enraged Jesus most: the selling of animals in the temple, exchanging money in the holy place, or exploitation of the poor?

2. How are the poor exploited today? Can you, as a member of Christ’s Body, do anything to make it better? On a scale of ten how would you rate your present actions [10 = caring like Jesus, 0 = not caring at all]?

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"And I shall raise him on the last day."

This Sunday we will celebrate All Souls’ Day and the readings give us the basis for this beautiful tradition of remembering our departed brethren. The First Reading (Wis. 3: 1-9) tells us that even though they “seemed in the view of the foolish to be dead,” theirs is a hope “full of immortality” for they are “in the hand of God” and “in peace.” Jesus declares in the Gospel (Jn. 6:37-40) that such is the will of the Father: “This is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day.” This is all because of God’s love, as St. Paul explains in the Second Reading (Rom. 5:5-11): “God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
All Souls Day, Nov. 2, 2014
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours

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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
Wisdom, Chapter 3, Verses 1-9

1. Scripture says, “As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.” Why would gold be put into “the furnace”? Why would an offering have to be “sacrificed”? Have you ever had to sacrifice some of yourself and then found yourself “taken to God’s self” afterwards?

2. Can you give some examples of persons who are just, and who therefore, “shine and dart about as sparks through stubble”?

Second Reading
Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 5-11

1. How do you think “God proves his love for us” through the life of Christ?

2. The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into all souls. Does this fact give you hope or does it make you skeptical?

Gospel
John, Chapter 6, Verses 37-40

1. What was the “will of the one who sent Jesus,” as mentioned in the Gospel of John? When did God get this idea? Or was it a plan from all eternity to send Jesus to earth?

2. Jesus promised eternal life to everyone who believes in him. Do your deceased loved ones have this eternal life? Do you think God sometimes gives us signs that our departed ones are safe? Have you ever received such a sign?

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

In the Sunday Gospel according to St. Matthew we encounter Christ in conversation with a lawyer who has asked him a question, not in order to learn, but in a malicious plot to destroy Christ. Out of this evil intent Christ brings forth the beautiful gift of the "greatest commandment"

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct 26, 2014 (30A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: What commandments require restitution?

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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 22, Verses 20-26

1. God’s love brought the Israelites out of Egypt where they had been aliens. According to this reading, how were they to repay God’s love? How do you repay God’s love for you? How does this First Reading relate to the Gospel reading?

2. Widows, oppressed, the poor, orphans, aliens are all precious to God. Is there anything you could do to make the life of one person in one of these groups better? Discuss.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 18: 2-4, 47, 51

1. Our psalmist says he is shielded by the Lord, his 'rock of refuge.' In what ways have you been shielded by the Lord and made safe from your spiritual enemies?

2. The Psalm says 'The Lord lives! Explain how you interpret this verse and how the Lord is present to you in your life.

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 1, Verses 5c-10

1. The Thessalonians heard the word of the Lord and became a model community for all believers. They passed the love of God on to their neighbors. Who would you envision as a “model” in your parish, or your workplace today?

2. Every place the Thessalonians went, the “word of the Lord sounded forth.” How can you yourself “sound forth” (without preaching)?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 22, Verses 15-21

1. You were made in God’s image and likeness, and every good thing you have comes from God. What does God ask in return? Whatever our answer, is it always easy? Discuss whether “love your neighbor” includes your arrogant neighbor or just your kind neighbor.

2. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” John Shea explained Jesus’ answer as follows: “He (Jesus) articulates the underlying structure of love that all law and prophecy is built on. Living in relationships of love to God and neighbor is the essence.” Discuss.

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please comment on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. 
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"Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar"

Are service to God and to Caesar compatible? This Sunday, October 19, 2014, the Lord commands not only to give to God what is God's (that is, everything), but also to give to Caesar what is Caesar's. Jesus’ response tells us that one’s citizenship does not have to be at odds with one’s faith.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct 19, 2014 (29A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: What role does conscience play in our Christian lives?

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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 45, Verses 1, 4-6

1. Cyrus, who was a Gentile, permitted the Israelites to return from captivity in Babylon to their homeland. Did he have any idea that God had chosen him, called him by name and was using him to accomplish a good thing for the chosen people? Can you give examples of God working through people without their knowing it? Has God ever used you when you weren’t aware of it?

2. What kinds of things might you discover if you were in dialogue with non-Christians? Give some other examples of non-Christian people whom God has used to bring about good.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10

1. The Psalm encourages the Israelites to 'Sing to the Lord a new song.' Do you also feel like singing when you realize you have been brought back from a type of spiritual exile? Explain.

2. Our psalmist speaks of bringing gifts to the Lord to express praise and worship of our Sovereign. What in the way of gifts do you have to offer the Lord?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 1, Verses 1-5b

1. What do the following do for your reception of the word: the presence of the Holy Spirit; people living the Gospel with much conviction?

2. Compare and contrast: receiving the word as a way of life with receiving the word as a code of conduct. On a scale of 1 to 10, where is your “work of faith, labor of love and endurance in hope”?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 22, Verses 15-21

1. In this Gospel, are the Pharisees more interested in taxes or in undermining Jesus’ influence? Since the universe and everything in it is made in God’s image, what does belong to God? Are you a caretaker of the earth?

2. Do God’s and Caesar’s worlds have to be separated? What would the world look like if they were joined together?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your thoughts on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. 
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"Many are invited, but few are chosen."

This Sunday, October 12, 2014 (28A), the message of the parable of the royal wedding banquet is clear. God invites the people of Israel to his wedding banquet in heaven but despite the fact that they have enjoyed his favor over so many generations they do not come.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct 12, 2014 (28A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Why is it a sin to miss Mass on Sunday?

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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 25, Verses 6-10a

1. How might banquet imagery describe the fullness of life in the presence of God. How can a feast of juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines be a sacramental vision of the universe?

2. God will destroy the veil (= anything that separates the people from the divine presence of God), and will also destroy death and wipe away all tears from every face. How do these images speaks to you? Explain.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23: 1-6

1. The Psalm likens us to sheep of the Good Shepherd ("The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.") Are you willing to humble yourself before the Lord, and become obedient as sheep do? Explain.

2. If you are willing to be obedient to the Lord, there are many rewards promised in the Psalm. Mention some of these and say which ones
you have received.

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, Chapter 4, Verses 12-14, 19-20

1. “In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need,” St. Paul says. Do you feel the same about being well fed and being hungry? What is the secret Paul learned?

2. All of these readings show God bestowing gifts on us without measure. Did the Philippians imitate this in their self-giving sacrifice for Paul? Do you “measure” when you give? How could you be a little freer?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 22, Verses 1-14
1. What does the Father give us in the Eucharistic banquet? What hungers are satisfied?

2. God invite us to the banquet and sets the table and offers us the wedding garment. (The wedding garment signifies a readiness to understand and act on Jesus’ teachings.) Besides answering God’s invitation, what is our job? How does this banquet not only sustain life but also transfigure it?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your thoughts on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. 
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"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"

This Sunday's Gospel for Oct. 5, 2014 (27A) is a most appropriate message for the celebration of Respect Life Sunday. It is the start of a month-long period when Catholics across the nation join together to witness to the inherent equality and transcendent value of every human being. And one of the main gifts we have from God is the gift of life for which we are responsible.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct 5, 2014 (27A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Should Catholics Join Non-Catholic Bible Studies?

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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 5, Verses 1-7

1. Isaiah sings about his friend’s vineyard: “Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?” What kind of “grapes” will God find in your vineyard?

2. “My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press.” The owner was devoted to the vineyard and did all the work mentioned above to produce a bountiful harvest. What was the job of the vineyard? How did it fail?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20

1. Our psalmist speaks of a vineyard where the Lord has broken down its walls, so that every passer-by plucks its fruit. What would you do if you were in danger of losing the Lord's protection? Explain.

2. The Psalm contains a petition to the Lord, asking for new life and to be restored. For some of us, petitioning the Lord may not be our first resort when we are troubled or facing difficulties. Can you identify with the Israelites in this Psalm who are seeking to be revived by God? Explain
Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, Chapter 4, Verses 6-9

1. How do you feel about peace standing guard over your mind and heart in Christ? What does St. Paul say takes the place of the anxiety? What replaces the worries? Is this true for you?

2. For what are all people of good will reaching when they embrace what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent and worthy of praise? What are you able to embrace if you are tied up with anxieties? Discuss.

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 21, Verses 33-43

1. Name some of God’s servants who have been sent as messengers and have spent or lost their lives. Which ones do you admire most? Why? Who are God’s messengers today? What changes in society do they advocate?

2. How can you be God’s messenger or voice in some way in your community, work or Church? What changes in society can you work toward? As a messenger, what would you be willing to endure: contempt, suspicion, death?

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