"I am the way and the truth and the life."
This Sunday's Gospel text is taken from St. John's account of the Last Supper. That the Church gives us this Last Supper discourse of Jesus for an Easter Season Eucharist is illuminative. These words are spoken to us now by the Risen Lord, truly alive and present in our midst. In this gospel we find things that Jesus taught before his death beautifully combined with John's inspired interpretation of these teachings, written in full confidence of guidance by the Spirit of Jesus (Jn 16:13).
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 18, 2014 (5EasterA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: How Catholic are you? Take the Quiz
------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer. ------------------------------
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 6, Verses 1-7
1. How did the new Christian community solve the problem of neglected widows? Did the twelve decide to forego prayer and the ministry of the word in order to help them? “Faith finds its expression in good works, and good works in turn builds faith.” How does the story in this reading illustrate this statement by Aelred Rosser?
2. How did the Church make changes to meet the needs of the times? How important is the ability to make changes? How might this kind of thinking impact the Church today?
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19
1. This week's Response is, "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you." When you place your trust in the Lord, do you become like one of His sheep? Are you then
dependent on His grace and protection? Explain.
2. The Psalm says that the Lord will preserve us in spite of famine. The psalmist here may be speaking more about spiritual famine, instead of physical hunger. Have you ever gone through a time of spiritual hunger? Explain.
Second Reading
First Letter of St. Peter, Chapter 2, Verses 4-9
1. Discuss ways that you have found Christ to be both a stone foundation and a stumbling block in your faith journey.
2. You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own,” the reading says. How do you announce the praises of “him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”?
Gospel
According to John, Chapter 14, Verses 1-12
1. Jesus says, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” What does that statement mean to you? Philip wanted a clearer explanation of who the Father is. Can you relate to that? How did Jesus say we can know the Father?
2. The disciples didn’t want Jesus to leave. Can you relate to this desire to be with the people you love? How is human love a reflection of divine love or a participation in it?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
Posted: 15 May 2014 10:49 AM PDT
This Sunday's Gospel text is taken from St. John's account of the Last Supper. That the Church gives us this Last Supper discourse of Jesus for an Easter Season Eucharist is illuminative. These words are spoken to us now by the Risen Lord, truly alive and present in our midst. In this gospel we find things that Jesus taught before his death beautifully combined with John's inspired interpretation of these teachings, written in full confidence of guidance by the Spirit of Jesus (Jn 16:13).
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 18, 2014 (5EasterA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: How Catholic are you? Take the Quiz
------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer. ------------------------------
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 6, Verses 1-7
1. How did the new Christian community solve the problem of neglected widows? Did the twelve decide to forego prayer and the ministry of the word in order to help them? “Faith finds its expression in good works, and good works in turn builds faith.” How does the story in this reading illustrate this statement by Aelred Rosser?
2. How did the Church make changes to meet the needs of the times? How important is the ability to make changes? How might this kind of thinking impact the Church today?
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19
1. This week's Response is, "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you." When you place your trust in the Lord, do you become like one of His sheep? Are you then
dependent on His grace and protection? Explain.
2. The Psalm says that the Lord will preserve us in spite of famine. The psalmist here may be speaking more about spiritual famine, instead of physical hunger. Have you ever gone through a time of spiritual hunger? Explain.
Second Reading
First Letter of St. Peter, Chapter 2, Verses 4-9
1. Discuss ways that you have found Christ to be both a stone foundation and a stumbling block in your faith journey.
2. You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own,” the reading says. How do you announce the praises of “him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”?
Gospel
According to John, Chapter 14, Verses 1-12
1. Jesus says, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” What does that statement mean to you? Philip wanted a clearer explanation of who the Father is. Can you relate to that? How did Jesus say we can know the Father?
2. The disciples didn’t want Jesus to leave. Can you relate to this desire to be with the people you love? How is human love a reflection of divine love or a participation in it?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
May you find it in your hearts to help the Lord Jesus manifest Himself even more to the world -- through our Catholic parishes and through their dynamic use of the God-given gift of the Internet. Please prayerfully consider a gift contribution to ParishWorld today.
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