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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Thursday
November 22, 2009 - Feast of Christ the King - "My kingdom does not belong to this world"
Sunday Reading Reflections
Solemnity of Christ the King, November 22, 2009 (34B)
Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios para Domingo
Homilies for Sunday
Burning Question: What commandments require restitution?
First Reading
Book of Daniel, Chapter 12, Verses 1-3
1.Can you think of people you have known or known about who have died and are now part of the “cloud of witnesses” St. Paul refers to? What things did those people do that keep their memories alive for you? Which of their qualities would you like to emulate in your life?
2. This reading is about “end times.” Von Balthasthe ar says its purpose is to “make people conscious of the ultimate decision of man for God and God for man.” Where do you stand in your ultimate decision for God? Do you feel that God will take care of you if you consistently try to make decisions in God’s favor?
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 10, Verses 11-14, 18
1. Compare and contrast Old Covenant priests with their repeated sacrifices, with Jesus and his one sacrifice. How do the many celebrations of the Eucharist fit into a one-sacrificial event?
2. Jesus won redemption for us. Does he just hand it to us? What part do we have in it? Does God ask you for sacrifices? How can your sacrifices help anything?
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 12, Verses 38-44
1. “The Word of God will not pass away.” List the things in your life that you will be happy to have pass away some day. Is there anything in your life that you do not want to pass away?
2. What do you take with you when you die? Is there any correlation between love and the Word of God that does not pass away? Is there anything you can you do to stretch your capacity to love?
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Solemnity of Christ the King, November 22, 2009 (34B)
Sunday Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios para Domingo
Homilies for Sunday
Burning Question: What commandments require restitution?
First Reading
Book of Daniel, Chapter 12, Verses 1-3
1.Can you think of people you have known or known about who have died and are now part of the “cloud of witnesses” St. Paul refers to? What things did those people do that keep their memories alive for you? Which of their qualities would you like to emulate in your life?
2. This reading is about “end times.” Von Balthasthe ar says its purpose is to “make people conscious of the ultimate decision of man for God and God for man.” Where do you stand in your ultimate decision for God? Do you feel that God will take care of you if you consistently try to make decisions in God’s favor?
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 10, Verses 11-14, 18
1. Compare and contrast Old Covenant priests with their repeated sacrifices, with Jesus and his one sacrifice. How do the many celebrations of the Eucharist fit into a one-sacrificial event?
2. Jesus won redemption for us. Does he just hand it to us? What part do we have in it? Does God ask you for sacrifices? How can your sacrifices help anything?
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 12, Verses 38-44
1. “The Word of God will not pass away.” List the things in your life that you will be happy to have pass away some day. Is there anything in your life that you do not want to pass away?
2. What do you take with you when you die? Is there any correlation between love and the Word of God that does not pass away? Is there anything you can you do to stretch your capacity to love?
Share Your Reflections
Click COMMENTS below and leave your comments and reflections.
Friday
November 15, 2009, 33rd Sunday Cycle B - "But of that day or hour, no one knows"
Sunday Reading Reflections
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 15, 2009 (33B)
SUNDAY READINGS
Homilies for Sunday
Burning Question: Is it better to pray or to learn the faith?
First Reading
Book of Daniel, Chapter 12, Verses 1-3
1.Can you think of people you have known or known about who have died and are now part of the “cloud of witnesses” St. Paul refers to? What things did those people do that keep their memories alive for you? Which of their qualities would you like to emulate in your life?
2. This reading is about “end times.” Von Balthasthe ar says its purpose is to “make people conscious of the ultimate decision of man for God and God for man.” Where do you stand in your ultimate decision for God? Do you feel that God will take care of you if you consistently try to make decisions in God’s favor?
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 10, Verses 11-14, 18
1. Compare and contrast Old Covenant priests with their repeated sacrifices, with Jesus and his one sacrifice. How do the many celebrations of the Eucharist fit into a one-sacrificial event?
2. Jesus won redemption for us. Does he just hand it to us? What part do we have in it? Does God ask you for sacrifices? How can your sacrifices help anything?
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 12, Verses 38-44
1. “The Word of God will not pass away.” List the things in your life that you will be happy to have pass away some day. Is there anything in your life that you do not want to pass away?
2. What do you take with you when you die? Is there any correlation between love and the Word of God that does not pass away? Is there anything you can you do to stretch your capacity to love?
Share Your Reflections
Click COMMENTS below and leave your comments and reflections.
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 15, 2009 (33B)
SUNDAY READINGS
Homilies for Sunday
Burning Question: Is it better to pray or to learn the faith?
First Reading
Book of Daniel, Chapter 12, Verses 1-3
1.Can you think of people you have known or known about who have died and are now part of the “cloud of witnesses” St. Paul refers to? What things did those people do that keep their memories alive for you? Which of their qualities would you like to emulate in your life?
2. This reading is about “end times.” Von Balthasthe ar says its purpose is to “make people conscious of the ultimate decision of man for God and God for man.” Where do you stand in your ultimate decision for God? Do you feel that God will take care of you if you consistently try to make decisions in God’s favor?
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 10, Verses 11-14, 18
1. Compare and contrast Old Covenant priests with their repeated sacrifices, with Jesus and his one sacrifice. How do the many celebrations of the Eucharist fit into a one-sacrificial event?
2. Jesus won redemption for us. Does he just hand it to us? What part do we have in it? Does God ask you for sacrifices? How can your sacrifices help anything?
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 12, Verses 38-44
1. “The Word of God will not pass away.” List the things in your life that you will be happy to have pass away some day. Is there anything in your life that you do not want to pass away?
2. What do you take with you when you die? Is there any correlation between love and the Word of God that does not pass away? Is there anything you can you do to stretch your capacity to love?
Share Your Reflections
Click COMMENTS below and leave your comments and reflections.
Thursday
November 8, 2009, 32nd Sunday Cycle B - "This poor widow put in more"
Sunday Reading Reflections
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 8, 2009 (32B)
SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
Burning Question: What is sacrifice?
First Reading
First Book of Kings, Chapter 17, Verses 10-16
1. The widow is asked to give away the last bits of flour reserved for her final meal. As a result, she receives a jar of flour that doesn’t ever go empty—but she didn’t know that when she gave her last bits away. What kind of a leap of faith would that require? Is there any way that you can relate to this situation?
2. God rewarded the widow in this reading. Are there usually rewards for helping others? How does one develop a habit of giving? On a scale of one to ten, rate your ability to give.
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 9, Verses 24-28
1. Two widows make sacrifices, one in the First Reading and one in the Gospel . Compare Christ’s sacrifice with these.
2. What did God the Father give away?
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 12, Verses 38-44
1. Why does Jesus direct the disciples’ attention to the widow giving her last pennies? Is reward mentioned in this reading? Do you think she will get any reward?
2. Why would the widow give her last coins away? Does Jesus’ comment explain why? Can you do what she did? How close can you come?
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Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 8, 2009 (32B)
SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
Burning Question: What is sacrifice?
First Reading
First Book of Kings, Chapter 17, Verses 10-16
1. The widow is asked to give away the last bits of flour reserved for her final meal. As a result, she receives a jar of flour that doesn’t ever go empty—but she didn’t know that when she gave her last bits away. What kind of a leap of faith would that require? Is there any way that you can relate to this situation?
2. God rewarded the widow in this reading. Are there usually rewards for helping others? How does one develop a habit of giving? On a scale of one to ten, rate your ability to give.
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 9, Verses 24-28
1. Two widows make sacrifices, one in the First Reading and one in the Gospel . Compare Christ’s sacrifice with these.
2. What did God the Father give away?
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 12, Verses 38-44
1. Why does Jesus direct the disciples’ attention to the widow giving her last pennies? Is reward mentioned in this reading? Do you think she will get any reward?
2. Why would the widow give her last coins away? Does Jesus’ comment explain why? Can you do what she did? How close can you come?
Share Your Reflections
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November 1, 2009 , Solemnity of Saints, "“Blessed are the poor in spirit"
Sunday Reading Reflections
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 25, 2009 (29B)
SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
Burning Question: Why do we pray for the dead?
Click COMMENTS below to leave your reflections.
First Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 7, Verses 2-4, 9-14
1. Can you think of some people who have suffered, died, and who might now stand before the Lamb? Has suffering and distress entered into their reward? Do you encounter resistance to the values of Christianity in your life?
2. Do you find opposition or indifference to Catholic values of social justice. What do you do, especially when people are suffering because of this unconcern? What would you like to do?
Second Reading
First Letter of John, Chapter 3, Verses 1-3
1. You are a child of God. What gifts have you received as a result? What gifts have you received from God today?
2. God is always present, hovering over us like a mother hen. Why does he not just jump right in and save us from all the messes we get into?
Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 1-12a
1. Moses received the ten commandments on the mountain. Compare and contrast this with Jesus giving the beatitudes in his sermon on the mount.
2. Is Jesus also talking about his own life when he states the beatitudes? Do you think this is a lesson or an invitation? Why?
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Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 25, 2009 (29B)
SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
Burning Question: Why do we pray for the dead?
Click COMMENTS below to leave your reflections.
First Reading
Book of Revelation, Chapter 7, Verses 2-4, 9-14
1. Can you think of some people who have suffered, died, and who might now stand before the Lamb? Has suffering and distress entered into their reward? Do you encounter resistance to the values of Christianity in your life?
2. Do you find opposition or indifference to Catholic values of social justice. What do you do, especially when people are suffering because of this unconcern? What would you like to do?
Second Reading
First Letter of John, Chapter 3, Verses 1-3
1. You are a child of God. What gifts have you received as a result? What gifts have you received from God today?
2. God is always present, hovering over us like a mother hen. Why does he not just jump right in and save us from all the messes we get into?
Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 1-12a
1. Moses received the ten commandments on the mountain. Compare and contrast this with Jesus giving the beatitudes in his sermon on the mount.
2. Is Jesus also talking about his own life when he states the beatitudes? Do you think this is a lesson or an invitation? Why?
Share Your Reflections
Click COMMENTS below and leave your comments and reflections.
Wednesday
October 25, 2009, 30th Sunday Cycle B - "Your faith has saved you"
Sunday Reading Reflections
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 25, 2009 (29B)
SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
BURNING QUESTION: What is Faith?
Click COMMENTS below to leave your reflections.
First Reading
Book of the prophet Jeremiah, Chapter 31, Verses 7-9
1. This reading is about God’s promise to deliver his people. They are a remnant, blind and lame, with child or not, and they departed in tears. What does your parish or office or family do to help God’s promise come true? What do you do?
2. Is there anyone in your life who just needs the road “leveled out” a little? If you help, how is this good for both of you? Does self-giving help bring about the reign of God?
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 5, Verses 1-6
1. “He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness.” How would “experiencing weakness” help a person minister to others? Do you think Jesus’ human experience and suffering draws people to him?
2. Baptism makes all of us ministers in the reign of God. Think about Moses, Peter, Paul, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Blessed Fr. Damien and others. Discuss how weaknesses can help make good ministers.
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 10, Verses 46-52
1. Bartimaeus was kept calling out to Jesus, in spite of the fact that the crowd was trying to shut him up. What do you do when others tell you to keep quiet? In the history of the Church can you think of great scientists and theologians who were silenced?
2. “Master, I want to see.” What is it that you want to “see” that will change your life as radically as Bartimaeus changed his? What was the miracle here, the faith of Bartimaeus or the healing of physical blindness?
Share Your Reflections
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Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 25, 2009 (29B)
SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
BURNING QUESTION: What is Faith?
Click COMMENTS below to leave your reflections.
First Reading
Book of the prophet Jeremiah, Chapter 31, Verses 7-9
1. This reading is about God’s promise to deliver his people. They are a remnant, blind and lame, with child or not, and they departed in tears. What does your parish or office or family do to help God’s promise come true? What do you do?
2. Is there anyone in your life who just needs the road “leveled out” a little? If you help, how is this good for both of you? Does self-giving help bring about the reign of God?
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 5, Verses 1-6
1. “He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness.” How would “experiencing weakness” help a person minister to others? Do you think Jesus’ human experience and suffering draws people to him?
2. Baptism makes all of us ministers in the reign of God. Think about Moses, Peter, Paul, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Blessed Fr. Damien and others. Discuss how weaknesses can help make good ministers.
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 10, Verses 46-52
1. Bartimaeus was kept calling out to Jesus, in spite of the fact that the crowd was trying to shut him up. What do you do when others tell you to keep quiet? In the history of the Church can you think of great scientists and theologians who were silenced?
2. “Master, I want to see.” What is it that you want to “see” that will change your life as radically as Bartimaeus changed his? What was the miracle here, the faith of Bartimaeus or the healing of physical blindness?
Share Your Reflections
Click COMMENTS below and leave your comments and reflections.
Tuesday
October 18, 2009, 29th Sunday Cycle B - "Whoever wishes to be first among you"
Sunday Reading Reflections
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 11, 2009 (28B)
SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
Click COMMENTS below to leave your reflections.
First Reading
Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 53, Verses 10-11
1. Do you suffer with the loved one who is suffering, and would you take the person’s place if you could? Does God act in this manner regarding the suffering of human beings?
2. “Do this in memory of me.” Is this an invitation to join Jesus’ suffering and to participate in his redemption of the world? Can God use your actions or your suffering to accomplish his work in the world today?
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 4, Verses 14-16
1. Christ is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses,” the reading says. Does he completely understand your situation no matter how complicated it is? Are you able to understand people’s weaknesses?
2. Jesus was tested in every way we are. Do you ever remember this when you are being tested?
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 10, Verses 35-45
1. What place do status, rank and privilege have in Christian ministry? Why does Jesus attribute so much importance to the emptying of oneself?
2. Jesus told the disciples that the way to rank first is by serving others. What does unselfish service look like in your parish, work, or home? On a larger scale how could it change the world?
Share Your Reflections
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Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 11, 2009 (28B)
SUNDAY READINGS
HOMILIES FOR SUNDAY
Click COMMENTS below to leave your reflections.
First Reading
Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 53, Verses 10-11
1. Do you suffer with the loved one who is suffering, and would you take the person’s place if you could? Does God act in this manner regarding the suffering of human beings?
2. “Do this in memory of me.” Is this an invitation to join Jesus’ suffering and to participate in his redemption of the world? Can God use your actions or your suffering to accomplish his work in the world today?
Second Reading
Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 4, Verses 14-16
1. Christ is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses,” the reading says. Does he completely understand your situation no matter how complicated it is? Are you able to understand people’s weaknesses?
2. Jesus was tested in every way we are. Do you ever remember this when you are being tested?
Gospel
According to Mark, Chapter 10, Verses 35-45
1. What place do status, rank and privilege have in Christian ministry? Why does Jesus attribute so much importance to the emptying of oneself?
2. Jesus told the disciples that the way to rank first is by serving others. What does unselfish service look like in your parish, work, or home? On a larger scale how could it change the world?
Share Your Reflections
Click COMMENTS below and leave your comments and reflections.
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