Concerning the why and how and what and who of ministry, one image keeps surfacing: a table that is round.
It will take some sawing to be roundtabled, some redefining, and redesigning,
Such redoing and rebirthing of narrow long churching can painful be for people and tables.
However, so was the cross, a painful too table of giving and yes.
And from such death comes life, from such dying come rising, in search of roundtabling.
And what would roundtable churching mean? It would mean no separating and throning, but for one king is there, and he was a foot washer, at table no less.
But the times and the tables are changing and rearranging.
And what of narrowlong table ministers, when they confront a roundtable people, after years of working up the table (as in “up the ladder”) to finally sit at its head, only to discover that the table has turned round?
They must be loved into roundness, where apart is spelled a part and the call is to the gathering.
For God has called a People, not "them and us.” "Them and us" are unable to gather round, for at a roundtable, there are no sides and ALL are invited to wholeness and to food.
At one time, our narrowlong churches were built to resemble the Cross, but it does no good for buildings to do so, if lives do not.
Roundtabling means no preferred seating, no first and last, no better, and no corners for the "least of these.”
Roundtabling means being with, a part of, together, and one.
It means room for the Spirit and gifts and disturbing profound peace for all.
It is no magic bread we are baking, for the dough we are dealing with must and will take its dying-in-order-to-rise-again-in-time.
And it is we in the present who are mixing and kneading the dough for the future. We can no longer prepare for the past.
We are called to be Church, and if He calls for other than round tables, we are bound to follow.
Leaving behind the sawdust, chips, designs, and redesigns. In search of and in the presence of The Kingdom that is His and not ours. Amen
(from a Gentle Presence by Chuck Lathrop)
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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Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
You Have A Defender
Readings for Sunday May 29, 2011
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
Ever find it difficult to know God’s will, and follow Him faithfully? We often struggle with what it means to love Jesus. Many people think that loving Jesus is only a matter of the heart. They often think that if you are sinning, even gravely sinning, as long as you still love Jesus in your heart, you’re doing ok. For them God is a ‘laid-back’ God. Others think that there is nothing you can do to be ‘ok’ with Christ – we are so sinful and unworthy that even a quick bad thought makes us guilty of Christ’s wrath. For them God is the ‘cranky policeman’. Neither of these views represent the relationship Christ wants us to have with Him. In our Gospel passage, Jesus shows us that loving Him is connected to doing good and keeping His commandments. Therefore, we can never dismiss sin as something external to who we are: Our actions speak louder than words, and if we sin, we are saying by our actions that we are going against God. Sin, of course, can do minor or serious damage to our relationship with Christ. This Gospel also counteracts the viewpoint that says that we are too sinful and unworthy of Christ’s love. This is called scrupulosity, where we scrutinize our actions to the point of becoming guilt-ridden, even over the smallest fault. Christ does not want us to be guilt ridden, but to be free from guilt. He has given us a special gift to help us overcome sin and grow in the freedom that only He can bring. He loves us so much that He promises us an Advocate to be with us always. An advocate is one who stands up for us and defends us. An advocate is one who helps us. The Advocate Jesus is talking about is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that came to the Church at Pentecost. Jesus promises you and me that same Spirit, and the Spirit will literally bring Christ to us. We see in this reading that Jesus is not a God of distance, but a God of intimacy, a God who wants to be united with us in love and close to our hearts. Through our Baptism, God dwells in us as His Temples. The difficult part is our response to Him. Our challenge, then, is to allow God permission to lead us. Our relationship with Him is a two-way street, and the demands placed on us as His ‘Temple’ are great. The heart of these demands is love, and love is not weak. It demands that we are willing to love even to the point of sacrifice. It demands that we put others needs ahead of our own. It demands that we give of ourselves until God calls us home. It demands that we live a life of heroic virtue, even when no one else will. So what are we waiting for? Let’s turn our lives completely over to God, and with total confidence in His care for us, commit ourselves to loving Him above everyone and everything in our lives.
Reading 1 Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. 6 With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured. 8 There was great joy in that city.
14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Reading 2 1 Peter 3:15-18
15 Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, 16 but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit.
Gospel John 14:15-21
15 Jesus said to his disciples:“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. 21Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. How would you describe the Holy Spirit to an unbeliever? Why would it be hard for that
person to understand what you are telling them? How do you know what the Holy Spirit is like?
2. What do you suppose is the toughest thing about being an orphan? Why did the disciples
feel like orphans?
3. What are some of the ways in which you show your love for Jesus?
4. Jesus said that Holy Spirit will be in you. How do you sense the Spirit's presence in you?
5. What has Jesus revealed to you about himself?
6. What does Jesus promise to the disciples? Why can’t the world receive this gift?
7. What names for the Holy Spirit are mentioned? What do they mean to you?
8. What do disciples see that the world can’t see? What is the key to knowing Jesus?
9. What does it mean to be in Jesus? What does it mean that Jesus is in us? What does love
have to do with all of this?
10. Jesus says that our faith needs to be characterized by keeping His commandments. What commandments do people struggle keeping today? Why? What would it take to help those people grow in holiness? How can you reach out to them?
11.How can you, as a Christian, show Christ’s love through your actions to the people in your life? Give examples of what you can do to be a better Christian at home, school and work, etc.
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
Ever find it difficult to know God’s will, and follow Him faithfully? We often struggle with what it means to love Jesus. Many people think that loving Jesus is only a matter of the heart. They often think that if you are sinning, even gravely sinning, as long as you still love Jesus in your heart, you’re doing ok. For them God is a ‘laid-back’ God. Others think that there is nothing you can do to be ‘ok’ with Christ – we are so sinful and unworthy that even a quick bad thought makes us guilty of Christ’s wrath. For them God is the ‘cranky policeman’. Neither of these views represent the relationship Christ wants us to have with Him. In our Gospel passage, Jesus shows us that loving Him is connected to doing good and keeping His commandments. Therefore, we can never dismiss sin as something external to who we are: Our actions speak louder than words, and if we sin, we are saying by our actions that we are going against God. Sin, of course, can do minor or serious damage to our relationship with Christ. This Gospel also counteracts the viewpoint that says that we are too sinful and unworthy of Christ’s love. This is called scrupulosity, where we scrutinize our actions to the point of becoming guilt-ridden, even over the smallest fault. Christ does not want us to be guilt ridden, but to be free from guilt. He has given us a special gift to help us overcome sin and grow in the freedom that only He can bring. He loves us so much that He promises us an Advocate to be with us always. An advocate is one who stands up for us and defends us. An advocate is one who helps us. The Advocate Jesus is talking about is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that came to the Church at Pentecost. Jesus promises you and me that same Spirit, and the Spirit will literally bring Christ to us. We see in this reading that Jesus is not a God of distance, but a God of intimacy, a God who wants to be united with us in love and close to our hearts. Through our Baptism, God dwells in us as His Temples. The difficult part is our response to Him. Our challenge, then, is to allow God permission to lead us. Our relationship with Him is a two-way street, and the demands placed on us as His ‘Temple’ are great. The heart of these demands is love, and love is not weak. It demands that we are willing to love even to the point of sacrifice. It demands that we put others needs ahead of our own. It demands that we give of ourselves until God calls us home. It demands that we live a life of heroic virtue, even when no one else will. So what are we waiting for? Let’s turn our lives completely over to God, and with total confidence in His care for us, commit ourselves to loving Him above everyone and everything in our lives.
Reading 1 Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. 6 With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured. 8 There was great joy in that city.
14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Reading 2 1 Peter 3:15-18
15 Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, 16 but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit.
Gospel John 14:15-21
15 Jesus said to his disciples:“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. 21Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. How would you describe the Holy Spirit to an unbeliever? Why would it be hard for that
person to understand what you are telling them? How do you know what the Holy Spirit is like?
2. What do you suppose is the toughest thing about being an orphan? Why did the disciples
feel like orphans?
3. What are some of the ways in which you show your love for Jesus?
4. Jesus said that Holy Spirit will be in you. How do you sense the Spirit's presence in you?
5. What has Jesus revealed to you about himself?
6. What does Jesus promise to the disciples? Why can’t the world receive this gift?
7. What names for the Holy Spirit are mentioned? What do they mean to you?
8. What do disciples see that the world can’t see? What is the key to knowing Jesus?
9. What does it mean to be in Jesus? What does it mean that Jesus is in us? What does love
have to do with all of this?
10. Jesus says that our faith needs to be characterized by keeping His commandments. What commandments do people struggle keeping today? Why? What would it take to help those people grow in holiness? How can you reach out to them?
11.How can you, as a Christian, show Christ’s love through your actions to the people in your life? Give examples of what you can do to be a better Christian at home, school and work, etc.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Untroubled Hearts
Readings for Sunday May 22nd 2011
5th Sunday of Easter
Our Gospel reading this Sunday challenges us to keep our focus entirely on Jesus, and promises us some special help to keep that focus strong. Remember that this passage comes from the Lord’s Last Supper discourse. The first thing that Jesus mentions to His disciples is not to let their hearts be troubled. Why are they troubled? They do not know exactly what is going to happen, but the disciples know that they are about to undergo a stressful situation: Jesus had predicted that His life would be taken from Him, and the disciples know that time is near. Jesus now acknowledges they are ‘stressed out’, and tries to comfort them. Notice how He does not try to get them off the hook or remove them from suffering. Rather, He tries to console them, and assures them that if they hang in there, they will not be alone. In this Gospel we see that Christ promises them a special place, meaning a place of reward for them in heaven. It is crucial for us as Christians not to think of the earth as a final resting place but a testing place to prepare us for heaven. (In this way, it can be said that earth is like Purgatory.) Jesus also promises the disciples intimacy with the Father, which comes from intimacy with Jesus. This is what all of us long for, an intimacy that fills the empty hole inside each one of us and gives us true joy. It is important for us to see ourselves in the place of the disciples, in that Jesus makes all these promises to us as well. Many will doubt that God loves them and wants intimacy with them, but Christ’s tells us that His works will be the proof. What great works has Christ done? Christ shows us that God is so serious about intimacy with us that He died for us out of love. Christ then promises that we will do even greater works than He! How can this happen? Our great works will come when we die to ourselves and allow Christ to live in us. He Himself will give us the strength to do this through the Holy Spirit. The greatest example of God working through him is when someone offers his life for the Lord, whether it is in the day to day opportunities of life, or through actual martyrdom. The Church has always grown in times of martyrdom and strong witness, even though it cost many their physical lives. These are our opportunities for great works, and through them, the Church will always grow. You and I are called to continue these great works today. No matter the place, God puts us, we are called to put our complete faith and trust in Him. We are called to have total confidence in His love for us. May God grant us the strength to always grow deeper in our love in intimacy with Him, and in doing so, may we be an instrument of His love to everyone we encounter.
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
Reading 1 Acts 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Questions for Discussion:
1. In what ways do you struggle to find a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading in the midst of your busyness?
2. How often do you ask the Lord to assist you?
3. In order to get in a daily prayer time and Scripture reading, what creative solutions can you and the Holy Spirit come up with in order that you not neglect your spiritual life and the Word of God?
Reading 2 1 Peter 2:4-9
Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone, and a stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Questions for Discussion:
1. In the second reading, St. Peter says that we are to let ourselves “be built into a spiritual house” for God. What part do you think God wants you to be in his house?
2. Spend some time between now and your next week asking the Holy Spirit to let you know more clearly what part of the house you are to be -- and then share it with your family?
Gospel John 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. Christ promises that we who believe in Him will do greater works that He did. What kind of works is Jesus talking about? Give real-life examples.
2. In our day-to-day struggles, what events seem to ‘trouble’ our hearts the most? Give personal examples.
3. How is Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Light of your life?
5th Sunday of Easter
Our Gospel reading this Sunday challenges us to keep our focus entirely on Jesus, and promises us some special help to keep that focus strong. Remember that this passage comes from the Lord’s Last Supper discourse. The first thing that Jesus mentions to His disciples is not to let their hearts be troubled. Why are they troubled? They do not know exactly what is going to happen, but the disciples know that they are about to undergo a stressful situation: Jesus had predicted that His life would be taken from Him, and the disciples know that time is near. Jesus now acknowledges they are ‘stressed out’, and tries to comfort them. Notice how He does not try to get them off the hook or remove them from suffering. Rather, He tries to console them, and assures them that if they hang in there, they will not be alone. In this Gospel we see that Christ promises them a special place, meaning a place of reward for them in heaven. It is crucial for us as Christians not to think of the earth as a final resting place but a testing place to prepare us for heaven. (In this way, it can be said that earth is like Purgatory.) Jesus also promises the disciples intimacy with the Father, which comes from intimacy with Jesus. This is what all of us long for, an intimacy that fills the empty hole inside each one of us and gives us true joy. It is important for us to see ourselves in the place of the disciples, in that Jesus makes all these promises to us as well. Many will doubt that God loves them and wants intimacy with them, but Christ’s tells us that His works will be the proof. What great works has Christ done? Christ shows us that God is so serious about intimacy with us that He died for us out of love. Christ then promises that we will do even greater works than He! How can this happen? Our great works will come when we die to ourselves and allow Christ to live in us. He Himself will give us the strength to do this through the Holy Spirit. The greatest example of God working through him is when someone offers his life for the Lord, whether it is in the day to day opportunities of life, or through actual martyrdom. The Church has always grown in times of martyrdom and strong witness, even though it cost many their physical lives. These are our opportunities for great works, and through them, the Church will always grow. You and I are called to continue these great works today. No matter the place, God puts us, we are called to put our complete faith and trust in Him. We are called to have total confidence in His love for us. May God grant us the strength to always grow deeper in our love in intimacy with Him, and in doing so, may we be an instrument of His love to everyone we encounter.
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
Reading 1 Acts 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Questions for Discussion:
1. In what ways do you struggle to find a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading in the midst of your busyness?
2. How often do you ask the Lord to assist you?
3. In order to get in a daily prayer time and Scripture reading, what creative solutions can you and the Holy Spirit come up with in order that you not neglect your spiritual life and the Word of God?
Reading 2 1 Peter 2:4-9
Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone, and a stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Questions for Discussion:
1. In the second reading, St. Peter says that we are to let ourselves “be built into a spiritual house” for God. What part do you think God wants you to be in his house?
2. Spend some time between now and your next week asking the Holy Spirit to let you know more clearly what part of the house you are to be -- and then share it with your family?
Gospel John 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. Christ promises that we who believe in Him will do greater works that He did. What kind of works is Jesus talking about? Give real-life examples.
2. In our day-to-day struggles, what events seem to ‘trouble’ our hearts the most? Give personal examples.
3. How is Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Light of your life?
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Who will be your Shepherd?
Readings for Sunday May 15, 2011 4th Sunday of Easter
A sheep found a hole in the fence and crept through it. He wandered far and lost his way back. Then he realized that he was being followed by a wolf. He ran and ran, but the wolf kept chasing him, until the shepherd came, rescued him, and carried him lovingly back to the fold. In spite of everyone's urgings to the contrary, the shepherd refused to nail up the hole in the fence. –Anthony de Mello
In last Sunday’s readings, Jesus started a Fire in the hearts of his disciples. This week we see Jesus the Shepherd who watches over us and promises us eternal life, and now all we need to do is follow Him. Why would Jesus want us to think of him as a Shepherd? And us as his Sheep? Being a Shepherd is kind of Woosy isn't it? After all Little Bo Peep was a shepherd and she lost her sheep. Wa!Wa!Wa! What a Woos!!!
But wait a minute the responsibility of shepherding is first and foremost to protect the herd as they graze and to lead them home come nightfall. Sounds easy enough, YES?? Simple, NO!!! One thing sheep and goats love to do is graze in the open, unprotected spaces. A habit that places them "at risk" in addition getting them home can be tricky since sheep possess (I am sorry to say) no sense of direction. In spite of all this, the basic idea behind being a shepherd is not to LOSE anybody. Losing even one sheep, as Jesus constantly reminds his followers, simply will not do. If you’re going to be a shepherd, you must account for every last KID!! Even in the face of pressure from the media that tells us that losing one, two maybe even three sheep is no big deal, we can always buy more.
Who will be your shepherd? Will you choose Jesus? Or maybe you'll choose the wolf in sheep's clothing, will you be able to tell the difference. So often, when we meet a good person, it is hard to accept that goodness at face value. In the back of our minds we are always questioning; "What's her angle? What's in it for him? What's he up to?"
I think, perhaps, one of the most striking things about Jesus, was that he had no angle, and it did not take long for the people to see that, his simplicity, and his innocence.
He was a Good Shepherd, concerned only with the will of the sheep. He was just himself, no airs, no put-ons; He had a genuine concern for the people. Unlike the Scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus had no airs. He was just himself. He was poor and had nothing, and was content. He had one robe, which his mother had probably woven for him, a seamless robe, and the one the soldiers gambled for at the foot of the cross. Jesus said on one occasion, "The birds of the air have their nests, the foxes have their dens, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
Wow!! He never had a home, Jesus never had a home, and often he slept in the fields or on a hillside after spending hours in prayer. On a morning after a night in the hills, he would reappear in a nearby village. What did He look like? Did he look fresh and neatly dressed? Where would He have found a place to wash, to shave, or to comb His hair? His hands and arms showed the toughness of a hard-working carpenter. Walking the long distances He did on His endless missionary journeys, and not finding restaurants along the way, he must have been slim, though strong and muscular.
Could you picture Jesus' eyes looking at you? His eyes must have riveted people's attention. Eyes, the mirror of the soul, express so much of what we are. When people looked into Jesus' eyes, what did they see? I suspect, each person has an eerie feeling; "This man knows me. I can tell. I can see it in His eyes. When He looks at me, He is looking into the very depths of my soul. He seems to know my deepest secrets, and seems to be telling me, "I know all about you. I know what happened yesterday. I know how bad you feel. I also know how you struggle to do the right thing, and how you reach out to hurting people and in quiet ways help them.
That's what the people saw when they looked into Jesus' eyes and those same loving eyes are looking into our hearts at this very moment. He is our Shepherd and he cries when we are lost, but he will fight with all the power of God to bring us back to Him.
Enjoy the readings, pass them on….. God Bless You, tommyk
Sources cited: Jesus the Christ-Thomas Zanzig, The Godbearing Life- Kendal Dean- Ron Foster
Reading 1 Acts 2:14a, 36-41
14a Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: 36 “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” 40 He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.
Questions for Discussion:
1. When asked by the crowd, “What are we to do, my brothers?” What was Peter’s response and how many listeners responded to the message?
2.How does Peter help others come to know Jesus?
3.What made you seek Jesus in your life?
Reading 2 1 Peter 2:20b-25
20b Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. 22 He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23 When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Christ’s innocence and lack of vengeance show us what God’s love is like. Does he leave you an example to follow? How can suffering be an occasion of grace?
2. Peter is referring to a kind of suffering that is inflicted on a person for doing something good. Give examples in which this has been the case. Have you had this experience?
3. Discuss the place of suffering in the life of a Christian, as it is presented in verses 20-22.4. What does it mean to “live for righteousness”?
Gospel John 10:1-10
1 Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. 2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. 7 So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. How does the image of good shepherd help us understand God’s unending love for us?
2. A good shepherd put his sheep first, his own needs second. In what ways do you also do that?
3. A good shepherd protected his sheep from harm, led them to food and water, cared for their injuries, and guided them back to the flock if they started to wander away. In what ways have you experienced Jesus doing some form of those things for you?
4. The sheep follow their shepherd’s voice. Do you believe that you have become so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly discern his voice from the other voices of this world?
5. How can you show others that Jesus is your shepherd this week?
A sheep found a hole in the fence and crept through it. He wandered far and lost his way back. Then he realized that he was being followed by a wolf. He ran and ran, but the wolf kept chasing him, until the shepherd came, rescued him, and carried him lovingly back to the fold. In spite of everyone's urgings to the contrary, the shepherd refused to nail up the hole in the fence. –Anthony de Mello
In last Sunday’s readings, Jesus started a Fire in the hearts of his disciples. This week we see Jesus the Shepherd who watches over us and promises us eternal life, and now all we need to do is follow Him. Why would Jesus want us to think of him as a Shepherd? And us as his Sheep? Being a Shepherd is kind of Woosy isn't it? After all Little Bo Peep was a shepherd and she lost her sheep. Wa!Wa!Wa! What a Woos!!!
But wait a minute the responsibility of shepherding is first and foremost to protect the herd as they graze and to lead them home come nightfall. Sounds easy enough, YES?? Simple, NO!!! One thing sheep and goats love to do is graze in the open, unprotected spaces. A habit that places them "at risk" in addition getting them home can be tricky since sheep possess (I am sorry to say) no sense of direction. In spite of all this, the basic idea behind being a shepherd is not to LOSE anybody. Losing even one sheep, as Jesus constantly reminds his followers, simply will not do. If you’re going to be a shepherd, you must account for every last KID!! Even in the face of pressure from the media that tells us that losing one, two maybe even three sheep is no big deal, we can always buy more.
Who will be your shepherd? Will you choose Jesus? Or maybe you'll choose the wolf in sheep's clothing, will you be able to tell the difference. So often, when we meet a good person, it is hard to accept that goodness at face value. In the back of our minds we are always questioning; "What's her angle? What's in it for him? What's he up to?"
I think, perhaps, one of the most striking things about Jesus, was that he had no angle, and it did not take long for the people to see that, his simplicity, and his innocence.
He was a Good Shepherd, concerned only with the will of the sheep. He was just himself, no airs, no put-ons; He had a genuine concern for the people. Unlike the Scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus had no airs. He was just himself. He was poor and had nothing, and was content. He had one robe, which his mother had probably woven for him, a seamless robe, and the one the soldiers gambled for at the foot of the cross. Jesus said on one occasion, "The birds of the air have their nests, the foxes have their dens, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
Wow!! He never had a home, Jesus never had a home, and often he slept in the fields or on a hillside after spending hours in prayer. On a morning after a night in the hills, he would reappear in a nearby village. What did He look like? Did he look fresh and neatly dressed? Where would He have found a place to wash, to shave, or to comb His hair? His hands and arms showed the toughness of a hard-working carpenter. Walking the long distances He did on His endless missionary journeys, and not finding restaurants along the way, he must have been slim, though strong and muscular.
Could you picture Jesus' eyes looking at you? His eyes must have riveted people's attention. Eyes, the mirror of the soul, express so much of what we are. When people looked into Jesus' eyes, what did they see? I suspect, each person has an eerie feeling; "This man knows me. I can tell. I can see it in His eyes. When He looks at me, He is looking into the very depths of my soul. He seems to know my deepest secrets, and seems to be telling me, "I know all about you. I know what happened yesterday. I know how bad you feel. I also know how you struggle to do the right thing, and how you reach out to hurting people and in quiet ways help them.
That's what the people saw when they looked into Jesus' eyes and those same loving eyes are looking into our hearts at this very moment. He is our Shepherd and he cries when we are lost, but he will fight with all the power of God to bring us back to Him.
Enjoy the readings, pass them on….. God Bless You, tommyk
Sources cited: Jesus the Christ-Thomas Zanzig, The Godbearing Life- Kendal Dean- Ron Foster
Reading 1 Acts 2:14a, 36-41
14a Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: 36 “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” 40 He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.
Questions for Discussion:
1. When asked by the crowd, “What are we to do, my brothers?” What was Peter’s response and how many listeners responded to the message?
2.How does Peter help others come to know Jesus?
3.What made you seek Jesus in your life?
Reading 2 1 Peter 2:20b-25
20b Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. 22 He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23 When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Christ’s innocence and lack of vengeance show us what God’s love is like. Does he leave you an example to follow? How can suffering be an occasion of grace?
2. Peter is referring to a kind of suffering that is inflicted on a person for doing something good. Give examples in which this has been the case. Have you had this experience?
3. Discuss the place of suffering in the life of a Christian, as it is presented in verses 20-22.4. What does it mean to “live for righteousness”?
Gospel John 10:1-10
1 Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. 2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. 7 So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. How does the image of good shepherd help us understand God’s unending love for us?
2. A good shepherd put his sheep first, his own needs second. In what ways do you also do that?
3. A good shepherd protected his sheep from harm, led them to food and water, cared for their injuries, and guided them back to the flock if they started to wander away. In what ways have you experienced Jesus doing some form of those things for you?
4. The sheep follow their shepherd’s voice. Do you believe that you have become so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly discern his voice from the other voices of this world?
5. How can you show others that Jesus is your shepherd this week?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Meeting Jesus on the Road
Readings for Sunday May 8 2011 Third Sunday of Easter
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
The Gospel account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is a model for all Christians about encountering Christ. This passage occurs later in the day on Easter Sunday, and two disciples (one of whom is named Cleopas) are on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Why they were going, we are not sure: Perhaps they were trying to get away from the ‘buzz’ that was over Jerusalem. Indeed we find out from Cleopas that Jesus’ crucifixion was the talk of the town. The two disciples just happen to meet up with a traveler, whom we know is Jesus – but they don’t! Cleopas makes sure that this person (Jesus) understands very well that he has essentially been living under a rock for three days, and belittles Jesus for His apparent ignorance of current events. The two of them decide to fill Jesus in about the events of His crucifixion (isn’t that ironic), but express some doubt about the apparent rumors that Jesus has been resurrected. Jesus wastes no time telling them how foolish they are (throwing it back in their faces), but rather then abandoning them, He begins to strategically take them through the Scriptures, to show them how He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. What Jesus does with them is give them the ultimate Bible study, passing on to them the true interpretation of the Old Testament passages. We see a clear precedent for the proper study of the Bible: Only in Christ can we have the proper interpretation of Scripture. The two disciples were literally caught up and transformed by Jesus’ words: How many of us have been transformed by a new and fresh understanding of Jesus? The disciples were totally enraptured with Him, and wanted to hear more, so much so that they wouldn’t let Him leave. At dinner, Jesus blessed and broke the bread (as He had done at the Last Supper), and in that action, the two disciples recognized Jesus. Does this make you wonder why they didn’t recognize Him before – and to whom did they think that they were talking as He lectured them (certainly it sounds like the two of them weren’t strangers to Jesus and His disciples)? Jesus uses this occasion to teach them not only about Scripture, but also about the Eucharist. They recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, a direct reference to the Eucharist, the Bread of life. The Eucharist is what feeds us and helps us to see and love Jesus. The two disciples were overcome with joy upon recognizing the Lord. Is this how you and I participate at the Holy Mass? Many times we think that the Mass is boring – Is that Jesus’ fault? Is that the priest’s fault? Perhaps it is time that we look squarely at ourselves, and not place the blame with anyone else. What more does Jesus need to do to make Himself present to us at the Mass? Jesus holds nothing back to us at Mass, just as He held nothing back from the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. May the example of the two disciples challenge us to shift our focus to what really matters, and constantly be looking for Jesus in the Mass.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Describe the emotion that the two disciples felt as their hearts ‘burned’ with the words of Jesus.
2. Think back to a time when Jesus revealed Himself to you, either at Mass, in Scripture or through prayer that was a powerful meeting with Him: How did that experience change who you were? Describe.
Reading 1 Acts 2:14, 22-33
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 22 You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. 24 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 26 Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.
29 “My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. 33 Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured him forth, as you see and hear.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. What does Peter say about Jesus in v. 22?
2. Why does Peter move on to David’s prophecy in Ps 16? How does it show that Jesus is Messiah? Who is speaking? To Whom? Who is the Holy One in v. 27?
Reading 2 1 Peter 1:17-21
17 Beloved: If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, 18 realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold 19 but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. 20 He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, 21 who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Questions for Discussion:
1. For the sake of clarity, if somebody were to ask you what holiness is, how would you define it? What exactly does “holy” mean, and based upon what?
2. Explain from the above Scriptures what Christians are separated from, and what they are set apart for.
Gospel Luke 24:13-35
13 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, 14 and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. 15 And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, 16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. 22 Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. 24 Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. 32 Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them 34 who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.
Questions for Discussion:
1. If you have ever lost a person you loved, you know what kind of thoughts, feelings and regrets one is dealing with after a funeral. Tell us about them.
2. Jesus had died two days earlier in a very cruel way. What do you think had been most difficult for Cleopas and his friend during these days?
3. Why did Jesus first allow these two mourning men to speak out their sorrow?
4. What would have happened if Jesus had started his explanation of the Bible right away?
5. Jesus knows all our sorrows already - why does he want to hear them from our own mouths?
6. How did the faith of these two men change after the death of Jesus?
7. Why didn't these two believe what the women and others told them about the resurrection (vs. 22-24)?
8. What is the difference between the interpretation Jesus gives about his own death and the interpretation Cleopas and his friend give about it (vs. 19-21 and 25-27)?
9. Why did Jesus act as if he were going farther (vs. 28)?
10. Why didn't the two men realize who Jesus was until he was breaking the bread?
11. What made these two men walk the 7 miles back to Jerusalem in the darkness?
12. Do I feel Jesus near me when I am troubled or sad? What do I talk to him about?
Enjoy the Reading and pass them on, tommyk
Summary of the Gospel from YM Central
The Gospel account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is a model for all Christians about encountering Christ. This passage occurs later in the day on Easter Sunday, and two disciples (one of whom is named Cleopas) are on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Why they were going, we are not sure: Perhaps they were trying to get away from the ‘buzz’ that was over Jerusalem. Indeed we find out from Cleopas that Jesus’ crucifixion was the talk of the town. The two disciples just happen to meet up with a traveler, whom we know is Jesus – but they don’t! Cleopas makes sure that this person (Jesus) understands very well that he has essentially been living under a rock for three days, and belittles Jesus for His apparent ignorance of current events. The two of them decide to fill Jesus in about the events of His crucifixion (isn’t that ironic), but express some doubt about the apparent rumors that Jesus has been resurrected. Jesus wastes no time telling them how foolish they are (throwing it back in their faces), but rather then abandoning them, He begins to strategically take them through the Scriptures, to show them how He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. What Jesus does with them is give them the ultimate Bible study, passing on to them the true interpretation of the Old Testament passages. We see a clear precedent for the proper study of the Bible: Only in Christ can we have the proper interpretation of Scripture. The two disciples were literally caught up and transformed by Jesus’ words: How many of us have been transformed by a new and fresh understanding of Jesus? The disciples were totally enraptured with Him, and wanted to hear more, so much so that they wouldn’t let Him leave. At dinner, Jesus blessed and broke the bread (as He had done at the Last Supper), and in that action, the two disciples recognized Jesus. Does this make you wonder why they didn’t recognize Him before – and to whom did they think that they were talking as He lectured them (certainly it sounds like the two of them weren’t strangers to Jesus and His disciples)? Jesus uses this occasion to teach them not only about Scripture, but also about the Eucharist. They recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, a direct reference to the Eucharist, the Bread of life. The Eucharist is what feeds us and helps us to see and love Jesus. The two disciples were overcome with joy upon recognizing the Lord. Is this how you and I participate at the Holy Mass? Many times we think that the Mass is boring – Is that Jesus’ fault? Is that the priest’s fault? Perhaps it is time that we look squarely at ourselves, and not place the blame with anyone else. What more does Jesus need to do to make Himself present to us at the Mass? Jesus holds nothing back to us at Mass, just as He held nothing back from the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. May the example of the two disciples challenge us to shift our focus to what really matters, and constantly be looking for Jesus in the Mass.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Describe the emotion that the two disciples felt as their hearts ‘burned’ with the words of Jesus.
2. Think back to a time when Jesus revealed Himself to you, either at Mass, in Scripture or through prayer that was a powerful meeting with Him: How did that experience change who you were? Describe.
Reading 1 Acts 2:14, 22-33
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 22 You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. 24 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 26 Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.
29 “My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. 33 Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured him forth, as you see and hear.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. What does Peter say about Jesus in v. 22?
2. Why does Peter move on to David’s prophecy in Ps 16? How does it show that Jesus is Messiah? Who is speaking? To Whom? Who is the Holy One in v. 27?
Reading 2 1 Peter 1:17-21
17 Beloved: If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, 18 realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold 19 but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. 20 He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, 21 who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Questions for Discussion:
1. For the sake of clarity, if somebody were to ask you what holiness is, how would you define it? What exactly does “holy” mean, and based upon what?
2. Explain from the above Scriptures what Christians are separated from, and what they are set apart for.
Gospel Luke 24:13-35
13 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, 14 and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. 15 And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, 16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. 22 Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. 24 Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. 32 Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them 34 who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.
Questions for Discussion:
1. If you have ever lost a person you loved, you know what kind of thoughts, feelings and regrets one is dealing with after a funeral. Tell us about them.
2. Jesus had died two days earlier in a very cruel way. What do you think had been most difficult for Cleopas and his friend during these days?
3. Why did Jesus first allow these two mourning men to speak out their sorrow?
4. What would have happened if Jesus had started his explanation of the Bible right away?
5. Jesus knows all our sorrows already - why does he want to hear them from our own mouths?
6. How did the faith of these two men change after the death of Jesus?
7. Why didn't these two believe what the women and others told them about the resurrection (vs. 22-24)?
8. What is the difference between the interpretation Jesus gives about his own death and the interpretation Cleopas and his friend give about it (vs. 19-21 and 25-27)?
9. Why did Jesus act as if he were going farther (vs. 28)?
10. Why didn't the two men realize who Jesus was until he was breaking the bread?
11. What made these two men walk the 7 miles back to Jerusalem in the darkness?
12. Do I feel Jesus near me when I am troubled or sad? What do I talk to him about?
Enjoy the Reading and pass them on, tommyk
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