admin December 7th, 2009
Second Sunday of Advent
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. Have you ever been subjected to the decisions of duly appointed authority figures who have misused their authority? Explain. How do you think a Christian should respond to such a situation?
2. Do you believe that no human authority can thwart God’s will and God’s purpose? If so, do you have any experience that confirms this belief? Explain.
3. When have you “sown in tears” but “reaped in joy”?
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admin December 1st, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. What will you do this Advent to prepare for the coming of the Lord?
2. Do you think of Jesus’ second coming as something to long for or something to dread? Do you know why you feel as you do?
3. Jesus tells the people to “stand erect” when he comes. Why do you think Jesus says this? What posture seems most appropriate to you? Why?
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admin November 24th, 2009
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. Have you ever been falsely accused? What were the circumstances? How did you treat your accusers? How do you think Jesus would have you treat your accusers?
2. What does it mean to you personally to say that Jesus Christ is king? In what ways is Jesus king in your life?
3. Think of someone you know who is facing difficulty. What hope do you have to offer this person?
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admin November 16th, 2009
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. Do you believe that God is present in world events? Why?
2. Do you think of Jesus as a judge? Is this thought comforting for you? Why or why not?
3. Do you believe that Christ has already conquered evil? What ramifications does this belief have in your life
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admin November 9th, 2009
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. Does your work give you prestige in the eyes of society? How important is this recognition, or lack of recognition, to you?
2. Why do you think Jesus valued the gift of the poor widow more than the gifts of the rich?
3. In what ways have you been God’s instrument of providential care for others?
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admin October 27th, 2009
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. Have you been approached by beggars? How do you respond to them? Why?
2. Do you follow Jesus as a disciple? If so, how has this affected your life choices?
3. How do you understand the word priest? What does it mean to say that baptism gives you a share in Jesus’ priestly ministry?
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admin October 21st, 2009
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. Are you tempted by the desire to have prestige? Explain.
2. Are you a good listener? Do you sometimes simply fail to hear what someone is telling you? Why do you think this happen?
3. Do you have authority over anyone? How do you wield that authority? How would Christ have you wield that authority?
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admin October 14th, 2009
Twenty-eight Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. When Jesus says to you, “Come follow me,” do you say, “Yes, but…”? What are you sometimes tempted to consider more important than faithful disciples?
2. Do you sometimes act as though you have to earn God’s love? If so, do you know why?
3. Do you experience scripture as a living word? Explain.
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admin October 5th, 2009
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. Why do you think Jesus was stricter than the Pharisees when it came to divorce?
2. Why do you think the early church made some exceptions when it came to divorce?
3. What do you consider to be the greater source of your dignity?
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
admin September 29th, 2009
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. How do you understand Jesus’ words, “If your hand causes you to sin cut it off”?
2. What does the phrase preferential option for the poor mean to you? Do you think that, as Christians, we should have a preferential option to the poor?
3. In what ways did today’s readings affirm you? In what way did they challenge you? What can you do to respond to this challenge?
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Tags: Adult faith formation, Word
admin September 13th, 2009
Twenty-forth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. How would you answer the question if Jesus asked you, “Who do you say that I am?”
2. Have you been tempted to avoid suffering rather than do what is right? Have you ever tempted someone you love to do that? Explain.
3. What was the purpose of Jesus’ suffering? What is the purpose of your suffering?
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admin September 8th, 2009
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. What do you consider your primary responsibility before God? Why does this responsibility take priority in your mind?
2. Have you ever had an experience that called you to expand your idea of what God is asking of you? Explain.
3. Do you think that as a society and as a church we exhibit a preferential option for either the wealthy or for the poor? Explain.
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
admin September 1st, 2009
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. What do you consider your primary responsibility before God? Why does this responsibility take priority in your mind?
2. Have you ever had an experience that called you to expand your idea of what God is asking of you? Explain.
3. Do you think that as a society and as a church we exhibit a preferential option for either the wealthy or for the poor? Explain.
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
admin August 25th, 2009
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. When did you first become aware of a spiritual hunger? Do you think of this hunger as a gift from God? Explain.
2. Do you think of yourself as in a covenant relationship with God? What are your responsibilities in this covenant?
3. If God ordered society, how do you think it would be ordered?
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admin August 17th, 2009
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. How would you explain the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist to someone who has no knowledge of it?
2. How do you experience the kingdom as present? How do you experience it as not yet present?
3. Whom in your life do you think of as wise? Why do you think of the person this way?
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admin August 4th, 2009
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. When you pray are you asking God for food that perishes or for food that endures for eternal life? Explain.
2. Why do you think faith is necessary in order to receive the gifts that God wants to give us?
3. Do you sometimes grumble at God even though you have experienced God’s power in your life? Explain. How do you imagine God responding to your grumbling? Why?
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Tags: Word
admin July 28th, 2009
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. Have you experienced events that for you were clear signs of God’s power and presence in your life? Explain.
2. In what ways do you feed the hungry? Are there additional ways in which you could feed the hungry?
3. Do you believe that it is God’s will that Christian churches live in visible unity? Why?
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admin July 20th, 2009
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. What gifts for ministry have you received? How do you use them? Do you feel accountable to Jesus for the way in which you use them? Explain.
2. Do you ever experience burnout? Do you think Jesus wants you to take care of yourself? Why?
3. In what ways have you experienced Jesus as the good shepherd?
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admin July 13th, 2009
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. In what ways do you live your life as someone dependent on God’s providence? In what ways do you not do this?
2. In what ways have you experienced rejection? How did you handle it? Does today’s Gospel give you any advice in this regard?
3. What do you do personally to promote justice in your community?
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
admin July 6th, 2009
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. What is your reaction to the idea that Jesus’ townspeople might have thought poorly of Mary? Have you ever found yourself acting judgmentally toward someone because of some wrong you perceived years ago? Explain.
2. Do you agree with Jesus’ statement that “a prophet is not without honor except in his native place…”? Why or why not? Can you think of some examples?
3. Have you ever prayed to be relieved of something, only to realize in hindsight that this “cross” had in some way been beneficial for you? Explain.
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