Readings for Sunday February 27, 2011
Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Have you ever noticed how anxiety can be a trap? Anticipating some vague danger, we feel apprehensive, tense, uneasy. We may worry about sinning, about doing something wrong, or even about doing something imperfectly. Whenever we feel this way, Jesus says two things to us: “Be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect” and “Do not worry” (Matthew 5:48; 6:25).
Actually, these two commands belong together. Because we can’t become perfect ourselves, we have no choice but to surrender to Jesus and let him perfect us according to his wisdom and his timing. And that act of surrender frees us from worry. God has us in the palm of his hands, and he will work all things for our good so long as we try our best to love and honor him (Romans 8:28). All we have to do is live in the present, trying to stay close to our Father.
Many of us feel a great burden to care for our loved ones. We come up against the sad truth that we don’t have all it takes to do the job. We can’t shield them from every sin. We can’t prevent every sickness or injury. And we certainly can’t stop death. And so we start to worry.
How liberating, then, to know that people’s well-being doesn’t depend only on us! What a relief to know that God is at work in their lives—oftentimes invisibly—to provide for them and make up for what we lack. Anxiety doesn’t have to gnaw at us, draining us of our hope and depriving us of our joy. We are all children of the Father, and he will let no one slip through his hands.
Jesus faced many challenges, but he never let anxiety get the better of him. He simply put everything into his Father’s hands. We can do the same. Take a minute right now to identify the situations that trouble you the most. Then hand them over to the One who can handle them perfectly.
In the meditation, we hear these words: “Jesus faced many challenges, but he never let anxiety get the better of him. He simply put everything into his Father’s hands. We can do the same. Take a minute right now to identify the situations that trouble you the most. Then hand them over to the One who can handle them perfectly.” (Matthew 5:44-45). What situations in your life trouble you the most? What are the obstacles that keep you from truly handing them over “to the One who can handle them perfectly”?
The Word Among Us 2-27-11
Reading 1 Isaiah 49:14-15
14 Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my LORD has forgotten me.” 15 Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. 1.In the first reading the Lord tells us, with very tender words, that he will never forsake us or forget us.” These words also remind us of the Lord’s words quoted in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.” How easy is it for you to lose sight of these words when you are experiencing a difficult situation?
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
1 Brothers and sisters: Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; 4 I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.
1.In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that we should be regarded as “servants of Christ and stewards of his mysteries” and that we should be “found trustworthy.” What do you think these words mean? How “trustworthy” are you as a steward of the “mysteries” of God?
Gospel Matthew 6:24-34
24 Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? 27 Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? 28 Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. 29 But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. 30 If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink? ‘Or ‘What are we to wear?’ 32 All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. 34 Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”
Discussion Questions:
1.What is ‘mammon’? Why would Jesus say it is impossible to serve both God and mammon?
2.Jesus tells His listeners to avoid the things the pagans seek. How do people seek these things today? Give examples.
3.If today your life was free from worry, what would it look like? Describe. How can Jesus help us to overcome worry in our lives?
4.In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells us not to worry about what we have and don’t have or what will happen in the future. Rather he says to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” What steps can you take to do this each day?
5. Take some time to pray that you would surrender your deepest anxieties and worries to the Lord, trusting in his great love for you. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
Lord, thank you for being so real to me and for revealing your wonderful love to us. There are people in our lives who don’t know you, some who even resist your call. Yet we know how much you love them and how much you want them to know your love. Lord, please put in our minds the names of people you would like us to reach with your love. And, Lord, with those names, we ask you to give us wisdom about how to “fertilize” their hearts so they may bear abundant fruit. Amen
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Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Eye for an Eye-Tooth for a Tooth?????
Readings for February 20, 2011
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Summary of the Gospel
In this Gospel Jesus goes for the moral ‘jugular’. Now that we have gotten over the shock that living a good moral life is more than what we do, that living a moral life is about converting our hearts, the Lord gives us a standard that is seemingly beyond our ability…and potentially beyond reason. He tells us very clearly that we must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In doing so, He says, we will reach perfection, not perfection in the sense of knowing everything, but moral perfection, a true transformation of heart. All we have to do is turn on the news and see one tragedy after another, or perhaps we have been victimized ourselves, and we see that this challenge by the Lord is virtually impossible. How can a person who has been severely hurt forgive? The Lord desires a total healing for all people, especially those who have been persecuted, and the only way that that will happen is through forgiveness. Often times the ability to forgive is not just a matter of turning on the forgiveness switch, but rather can take years to achieve, perhaps through counseling, sacramental reconciliation, and profound forgiveness from the heart. All of us should struggle with Jesus words in the sense that we should not believe that this kind of forgiveness is an easy process. What we should come to realize is that it is only through Jesus, the Crucified Victim of Calvary, that we can achieve this depth of love. Today we should practice, perhaps beginning on a small level, to forgive the wrongs that have been done to us. Perhaps today Christ calls us just to be patient with those who annoy us as a stepping stone to greater forgiveness. Perhaps today Christ calls us to ask someone, such as counselor, to help us begin a deep healing process. Regardless, let us take time to ponder Christ, who in the midst of terrible persecution forgave those who put Him to death. May we have the grace, each day, to reflect on the love and put it into action in our own lives.
Reading 1 Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.
17 “You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. 18 Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Discussion Question:
1. In this context, who is one’s “brother” and “neighbor” (vv 14-18)
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
16 Brothers and sisters: Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. 18 Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: God catches the wise in their own ruses, 20 and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, 22 Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, 23 and you to Christ, and Christ to God.
Discussion Question:
1. Reflecting honestly on verse 20, is your Christian life more a matter of talk or of power?
Gospel Matthew 5:38-48
38 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek,turn the other one as well. 40 If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. 41 Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. 43 “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Read over the Gospel passage again. Do you think Jesus was exaggerating, or was He speaking literally? Why?
2. Why does God allow terrible evil, injustice and persecution to happen? How does He respond to this?
3. What qualities ought to replace those desires for revenge?
4. Who are the ‘enemies’ in and of our society today? How would Jesus expect us to love them? Does this passage mean that we cannot protect ourselves from aggressors (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the right to defend oneself)?
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Summary of the Gospel
In this Gospel Jesus goes for the moral ‘jugular’. Now that we have gotten over the shock that living a good moral life is more than what we do, that living a moral life is about converting our hearts, the Lord gives us a standard that is seemingly beyond our ability…and potentially beyond reason. He tells us very clearly that we must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In doing so, He says, we will reach perfection, not perfection in the sense of knowing everything, but moral perfection, a true transformation of heart. All we have to do is turn on the news and see one tragedy after another, or perhaps we have been victimized ourselves, and we see that this challenge by the Lord is virtually impossible. How can a person who has been severely hurt forgive? The Lord desires a total healing for all people, especially those who have been persecuted, and the only way that that will happen is through forgiveness. Often times the ability to forgive is not just a matter of turning on the forgiveness switch, but rather can take years to achieve, perhaps through counseling, sacramental reconciliation, and profound forgiveness from the heart. All of us should struggle with Jesus words in the sense that we should not believe that this kind of forgiveness is an easy process. What we should come to realize is that it is only through Jesus, the Crucified Victim of Calvary, that we can achieve this depth of love. Today we should practice, perhaps beginning on a small level, to forgive the wrongs that have been done to us. Perhaps today Christ calls us just to be patient with those who annoy us as a stepping stone to greater forgiveness. Perhaps today Christ calls us to ask someone, such as counselor, to help us begin a deep healing process. Regardless, let us take time to ponder Christ, who in the midst of terrible persecution forgave those who put Him to death. May we have the grace, each day, to reflect on the love and put it into action in our own lives.
Reading 1 Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.
17 “You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. 18 Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Discussion Question:
1. In this context, who is one’s “brother” and “neighbor” (vv 14-18)
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
16 Brothers and sisters: Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. 18 Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: God catches the wise in their own ruses, 20 and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, 22 Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, 23 and you to Christ, and Christ to God.
Discussion Question:
1. Reflecting honestly on verse 20, is your Christian life more a matter of talk or of power?
Gospel Matthew 5:38-48
38 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek,turn the other one as well. 40 If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. 41 Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. 43 “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Read over the Gospel passage again. Do you think Jesus was exaggerating, or was He speaking literally? Why?
2. Why does God allow terrible evil, injustice and persecution to happen? How does He respond to this?
3. What qualities ought to replace those desires for revenge?
4. Who are the ‘enemies’ in and of our society today? How would Jesus expect us to love them? Does this passage mean that we cannot protect ourselves from aggressors (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the right to defend oneself)?
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thoughts Do Count
Readings for Sunday February 13, 2011
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
One of the most difficult decisions a person faces in life is to become vulnerable to another, to the point of revealing their deepest selves to another. In this Gospel, Jesus reaches out to us and invites us to become open to Him. Reading this entire passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel brings us into the meat and potatoes of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, arguably His greatest teaching ever. To place it in context, we have to put on the ears of the first century Jews who would have heard this message, Jews who were well versed with the Law of Moses and who followed it with everything they had. Jesus acknowledges the goodness of the Law, but then says ‘hang on, folks’, and takes us deeper. Notice the pattern Jesus uses in this Gospel: It isn’t just enough to fulfill the Gospel, rather, Jesus wants us to have a change of heart. He wants to root out anything in us that gets in the way of loving totally. When we pause to think of what we want out of life, in the end all of us want to be happy, all of us want to love and to be loved. We can have the worst job in the world, we can fail in school, we can be sick and suffering, but if we have love, we have life. In this passage, Jesus gives us the key to love. Love must come from the depths of who we are, and to be true love, it must be formed and guided by Jesus Himself. Perhaps, even unknowingly, we have allowed a wound or a sin to keep Jesus out of our hearts. Today Jesus asks to be invited into every thought, action and experience of our lives. He asks us today not only to trust Him, but to really place Him above all that we desire in life. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to learn how to love, no matter the cost, and to allow His love to transform us into the person He intends us to be.
Reading 1 Sirach 15:15-20
15 If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live; 16 he has set before you fire and water to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. 17 Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him. 18 Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing. 19 The eyes of God are on those who fear him; he understands man’s every deed. 20 No one does he command to act unjustly, to none does he give license to sin.
Discussion Questions:
1 According to Sirach, who is responsible for sin?
2 If God does not “give strength for lies” (v 20), from where do lies come from?
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
6 Brothers and sisters: We speak a wisdom to those who are mature, not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. 7 Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden,
which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, 8 and which none of the rulers of this age knew;
for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him, 10 this God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.
Discussion Questions:
1 From these passages, what differences do you see between human wisdom and God’s Wisdom?
2 What is secret about God’s wisdom?
3 How do you feel about verse 9? How is your life affected by the promises in this verse?
Gospel Matthew 5:17-37
17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 20 I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
28 “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 31 “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. 32 But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife - unless the marriage is unlawful - causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Jesus reference the Law of Moses in this passage? What does He add to that Law?
2. How do you think those who heard Jesus’ teaching reacted, given that they would have been well versed in the Law of Moses?
3. What makes it difficult for people to let Jesus in to the center of their hearts? Describe. What would you say to a person who has closed his/her heart to the love of God?
4. Consider the 10 Commandments (Ex 20, 1-17). Which commandments are most difficult for you? Why?
http://tommykawas.blogspot.com Enjoy the readings/pass them on- IHN tommyk
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
One of the most difficult decisions a person faces in life is to become vulnerable to another, to the point of revealing their deepest selves to another. In this Gospel, Jesus reaches out to us and invites us to become open to Him. Reading this entire passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel brings us into the meat and potatoes of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, arguably His greatest teaching ever. To place it in context, we have to put on the ears of the first century Jews who would have heard this message, Jews who were well versed with the Law of Moses and who followed it with everything they had. Jesus acknowledges the goodness of the Law, but then says ‘hang on, folks’, and takes us deeper. Notice the pattern Jesus uses in this Gospel: It isn’t just enough to fulfill the Gospel, rather, Jesus wants us to have a change of heart. He wants to root out anything in us that gets in the way of loving totally. When we pause to think of what we want out of life, in the end all of us want to be happy, all of us want to love and to be loved. We can have the worst job in the world, we can fail in school, we can be sick and suffering, but if we have love, we have life. In this passage, Jesus gives us the key to love. Love must come from the depths of who we are, and to be true love, it must be formed and guided by Jesus Himself. Perhaps, even unknowingly, we have allowed a wound or a sin to keep Jesus out of our hearts. Today Jesus asks to be invited into every thought, action and experience of our lives. He asks us today not only to trust Him, but to really place Him above all that we desire in life. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to learn how to love, no matter the cost, and to allow His love to transform us into the person He intends us to be.
Reading 1 Sirach 15:15-20
15 If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live; 16 he has set before you fire and water to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. 17 Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him. 18 Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing. 19 The eyes of God are on those who fear him; he understands man’s every deed. 20 No one does he command to act unjustly, to none does he give license to sin.
Discussion Questions:
1 According to Sirach, who is responsible for sin?
2 If God does not “give strength for lies” (v 20), from where do lies come from?
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
6 Brothers and sisters: We speak a wisdom to those who are mature, not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. 7 Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden,
which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, 8 and which none of the rulers of this age knew;
for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him, 10 this God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.
Discussion Questions:
1 From these passages, what differences do you see between human wisdom and God’s Wisdom?
2 What is secret about God’s wisdom?
3 How do you feel about verse 9? How is your life affected by the promises in this verse?
Gospel Matthew 5:17-37
17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 20 I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
28 “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 31 “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. 32 But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife - unless the marriage is unlawful - causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Jesus reference the Law of Moses in this passage? What does He add to that Law?
2. How do you think those who heard Jesus’ teaching reacted, given that they would have been well versed in the Law of Moses?
3. What makes it difficult for people to let Jesus in to the center of their hearts? Describe. What would you say to a person who has closed his/her heart to the love of God?
4. Consider the 10 Commandments (Ex 20, 1-17). Which commandments are most difficult for you? Why?
http://tommykawas.blogspot.com Enjoy the readings/pass them on- IHN tommyk
Friday, February 4, 2011
Readings for Sunday February 6, 2011
Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Summary of the Gospel
Why are so many Catholics embarrassed about sharing their faith with others? The call to share our faith with others is at the heart of Jesus’ message in our Gospel reading, and for us as Catholics, we have a lot of room for improvement in this area. In this passage, Jesus continues His ‘Sermon on the Mount’ by giving us two pictures that describe the essence of discipleship. The first image is that we, as disciples, are the salt of the earth. Salt’s value rests entirely in the fact that it enhances the flavor that is already present in food. If salt looses its taste, it is then worthless. (Imagine going to a nice restaurant that gave you bad salt. It just wouldn’t happen.) True disciples of Jesus give salt to the earth: By bringing Christ to the world, the world is able to understand its true meaning and its true purpose. Everything in the world finds its clear perspective when it is in relation to Christ. Disciples are also like light to the world, helping those to see clearly around the light, to know what is really there, and to be able to live and function. A person with light – especially in Jesus’ days without electricity – would never hide their light, but would use it so they could function. Without the light of Christ in the world, the world cannot properly function. The entire reason that God made the world was to be a saint-making machine, to help each one of us grow in our love for Him and achieve eternal life with Him. The disciples of Jesus are the ones given the mission of bringing Christ to the world. The Lord tells us in this Gospel passage that the best way to shine our individual lights is to be people of good deeds. While words may be important, we all know that actions speak louder than words. In a world that is often characterized by an overabundance of words and images, people are not looking for someone to tell them God loves them, rather they are looking to be shown that God loves them. This is where the Catholic Church comes into play. God’s purpose in establishing the Church was to make disciples of all nations, inviting every person from every time and every place into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Every one of us, by virtue of our Baptism in Christ, has been called to take up this mission, make it our very own, and do whatever Christ asks of us. The problem is most Catholics don’t take their Baptismal call seriously. They go through the motions, never reflecting on the grand calling Christ has given them. Our challenge is to never take our call from Christ for granted. Make it a point this week to examine your life and your actions, and commit yourself to be a light to everyone you meet, no matter how difficult the situation may appear.
Reading 1 Isaiah 58:7-10
7 Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; 10 if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, 4 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
Gospel Matthew 5:13-16
13 Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Since salt loses its flavor over time, what can you do to continue to keep up your ‘flavor’ as the salt of the earth? What in your life robs you of the ‘flavor’ of you being the salt of the earth?
2. Who has been a light of Christ to you in your life? Why and how? How has your life been affected by that person?
3. Jesus tells us, in the last line of the Gospel, that the purpose of discipleship is to glorify our heavenly Father. Describe concrete ways that you, in your daily life, can glorify the Father. (How can you make glorifying God a daily experience?)
Summary of the Gospel
Why are so many Catholics embarrassed about sharing their faith with others? The call to share our faith with others is at the heart of Jesus’ message in our Gospel reading, and for us as Catholics, we have a lot of room for improvement in this area. In this passage, Jesus continues His ‘Sermon on the Mount’ by giving us two pictures that describe the essence of discipleship. The first image is that we, as disciples, are the salt of the earth. Salt’s value rests entirely in the fact that it enhances the flavor that is already present in food. If salt looses its taste, it is then worthless. (Imagine going to a nice restaurant that gave you bad salt. It just wouldn’t happen.) True disciples of Jesus give salt to the earth: By bringing Christ to the world, the world is able to understand its true meaning and its true purpose. Everything in the world finds its clear perspective when it is in relation to Christ. Disciples are also like light to the world, helping those to see clearly around the light, to know what is really there, and to be able to live and function. A person with light – especially in Jesus’ days without electricity – would never hide their light, but would use it so they could function. Without the light of Christ in the world, the world cannot properly function. The entire reason that God made the world was to be a saint-making machine, to help each one of us grow in our love for Him and achieve eternal life with Him. The disciples of Jesus are the ones given the mission of bringing Christ to the world. The Lord tells us in this Gospel passage that the best way to shine our individual lights is to be people of good deeds. While words may be important, we all know that actions speak louder than words. In a world that is often characterized by an overabundance of words and images, people are not looking for someone to tell them God loves them, rather they are looking to be shown that God loves them. This is where the Catholic Church comes into play. God’s purpose in establishing the Church was to make disciples of all nations, inviting every person from every time and every place into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Every one of us, by virtue of our Baptism in Christ, has been called to take up this mission, make it our very own, and do whatever Christ asks of us. The problem is most Catholics don’t take their Baptismal call seriously. They go through the motions, never reflecting on the grand calling Christ has given them. Our challenge is to never take our call from Christ for granted. Make it a point this week to examine your life and your actions, and commit yourself to be a light to everyone you meet, no matter how difficult the situation may appear.
Reading 1 Isaiah 58:7-10
7 Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; 10 if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, 4 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
Gospel Matthew 5:13-16
13 Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Since salt loses its flavor over time, what can you do to continue to keep up your ‘flavor’ as the salt of the earth? What in your life robs you of the ‘flavor’ of you being the salt of the earth?
2. Who has been a light of Christ to you in your life? Why and how? How has your life been affected by that person?
3. Jesus tells us, in the last line of the Gospel, that the purpose of discipleship is to glorify our heavenly Father. Describe concrete ways that you, in your daily life, can glorify the Father. (How can you make glorifying God a daily experience?)
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