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Posts Tagged ‘catholic’
Download: 13th Sunday Yr C
Reflection Question 7: Jesus takes disciples on a special journey toward Jerusalem from this point in the Gospel. There is no turning back. The joy and success of ministry in Galilee changes to resistance by religious people and civil authorities. Jesus urgently teaches his disciples about mission and the Kingdom of God. Imagine a fire is burning and many people’s lives are in danger. Would you let go of your ‘work’ to ‘save’ these people? Such is the call of the Kingdom of God. How will you respond?
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Reflection Question 8: Simon the Pharisee and the Woman who was regarded as a ‘sinner’ in the town are both struggling with who is ‘acceptable to God’. The Pharisee thought only people keeping all the rules and laws were satisfying the ‘purity’ code of being ‘clean’ and therefore ‘right’ with God. Simon is horrified that Jesus allows a sinful woman to ‘touch’ him and thereby make him ‘unclean’. What is Simon’s deep theological problem?
Download Body and Blood Yr C
Reflection Question 5; Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is the earliest writing we have of the celebration of the Eucharist (15-20 years before the first gospel). Paul shares this ‘tradition’ (which means ‘handing on’) comes from Jesus himself. We are told to ‘Do this’. For Jewish people, to do a ritual liturgical action in ‘remembrance’ was to actually enter and receive the event celebrated. Paul shares the Eucharist proclaims and makes present the cross and victory of Jesus. We receive God’s forgiveness but also intimate communion. What does receiving ‘holy communion’ mean for you?
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Download Ascension Sunday Easter Yr C
Reflection Question 5: The Feast of the Ascension celebrates Jesus’ place now in Heaven, promising the Holy Spirit (1st Reading), acting as the Heavenly Priest (2nd Reading) and sending his disciples to witness to all nations (Gospel). This poses an interesting dilemma: ‘why are you standing there looking at the sky?’ Where is the focus of your energy and attention as a disciple: looking upward to heaven, or looking sideways to mission?
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Reflection question 3: Circumcision was physical and symbolic – an outward sign of an inner consecration and being a nation ‘set-apart’. It was a physical part of oneself offered to God like a sacrifice. Jewish Christians wanted gentile christians to follow their Mosaic practice (given by Moses) and be circumcised. This question caused the first Council of Jerusalem meeting. How do we know what is important to keep practicing? Are external markings important? Do you show / wear of sign of belonging to God? Why?
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Download 5th Sunday Easter Yr C
Reflection question 3; Paul and Barnabas broke centuries old prejudices of considering God only loved ‘the Jews’. His ‘chosen’. Going to the Gentiles was an enormous change. To put this into context, if a Jew married a Gentile in Jesus’ time the Jewish family would conduct a public funeral to say to everyone that you were now ‘dead’ to the family. Gentiles were considered ‘intrinsically unclean’. Strict Jews believed they were ‘defiled’ by being with Gentiles. Which group of people today are considered ‘outcasts’, ‘sinners’, beyond God’s love? Could you be a missionary to them? What might need to change in you? In the church?
Resource highlight – as well as many resources check out also the google bookshelf created for livingtheword. On this bookshelf are a few well chosen books that can help you investigate and study the scripture readings yourself. Enjoy!
Download: Easter Sunday Yr C
Reflection Question 4: The image of Easter Sunday is the empty tomb. If thieves had stolen Jesus they would not have unwrapped him. The burial cloths are ‘alone’. The story and evidence is shared. People consider it ‘nonsense’. Peter walks home ‘amazed’. If you were present in the Resurrection scene, having witnessed his suffering, death and burial. And now the empty tomb with burial cloths on the ground… what would you think? A stolen body or risen Lord? What thoughts and emotions would be present? Spend some time at the ‘tomb’ and see what it teaches you. Can you ‘see’ and ‘believe’?
Download document: Palm sunday Yr C
Reflection question 4: Palm Sunday is also called ‘Passion’ Sunday as we listen to the whole story of Jesus’ personal betrayal by his disciples, his court appearance before religious and political rulers, his rejection by previously welcoming crowds, his cruel whipping and torture by soldiers. Watch, listen, feel the violence. Where does such cruelty originate from in the world? Why does the world seek a ‘victim’?
The Readings for the Holy Week ceremonies can be found here:
Download: 5th Sunday Lent of Year C
Reflection question 5: Sexual sin is personal, embarassing, and can be a guilt ridden experience. Everyone expected ‘judgment’ of the woman but Jesus lead everyone into ‘enlightenment’. Consider your personal struggle with human weakness. Instead of judgment, consider what you are ‘learning’ about yourself? How could you move from guilt toward wisdom in this area of your life?
- Please note. 2010 involves Year C readings on Sunday. However during Lent for the purpose of teaching the candidates who are going to be baptised at Easter you may find your parish using different readings (Year A for a few Sundays). To view the Year A Readings follow this link
download: 4th Sunday Lent of Year C
Reflection question 7: The Father does a number of humiliating actions which show the depth of his love. The Father runs in public. It was unbecoming for a Jewish elder to show one’s ankles in public. It is the equivalent of ‘baring one’s bottom’. The crowds attention is now drawn away from the son and the possibility of hurting him. The father accepts the humiliation, in front of the whole community, of the older son angry and argumentative. Does the older son wish the father was dead too? Does anyone appreciate the Fathers love? If this is what God is like toward you what is your response?
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation is often celebrated before Holy Week in parishes. You may find this reflection on the Parable of the Prodigal Son helpful for your personal reading and preparation. Check out the googlebooks link to the Parable of the Prodigal Son in ‘The Cultural World of Jesus”