holyfamilyparish.orgholyfamilyparish.org/.../2012/08/LBSCC-guide-Lent-Pentec… · Web viewFebruary 2016. Dear Friends in Christ, Mercy is here. Maddy Lopez, our speed artists helped

February 2016

Dear Friends in Christ,

Mercy is here. Maddy Lopez, our speed artists helped that concept become a reality at Christmas and it will be a continued challenge as we travel through Lent and Easter. The readings and other resources in this booklet will accompany our many parish initiatives encouraging us to move mercy from ideas to encounters. Pope Francis uses this language on a world level and turns the local details over to us. As you gather in prayerful reflection and active discussion of the scriptures, step on board a Lenten and Easter train whose destination is Pentecost. As you board, heighten your awareness of how mercy has been extended to you. Be inspired by that reality and turn it into a parish wide challenge--that all of us become ambassadors for mercy --taking concrete encounters of mercy into our larger community. Perhaps your LBSCC could do an act of Mercy together. Come to Holy Family each weekend and be refreshed at the oasis of mercy and then charge out to put mercy into action.

Pope Francis has actually invented a word that I would like to leave you with that should be the ultimate outcome of all of your reflections. He challenges us to be 'Mercy...ing' during these holy days. Turning mercy into a verb. May all of your discussions lead you to that.

In Gods mercy,

Fr. Terry Keehan

Lectionary Based Small Christian Community Guide

1st Sunday of Lent – Pentecost Sunday

1st Sunday of Lent . . . . . . . . . . . 4FEBRUARY 14, 2016

2nd Sunday of Easter . . . . . . . . 22 APRIL 3, 2016

2nd Sunday of Lent . . . . . . . . . . . . 6FEBRUARY 21, 2016

3rd Sunday of Easter . . . . . . . . . 24 APRIL 10, 2016

3rd Sunday of Lent . . . . . . . . . . . 8FEBRUARY 28, 2016

4th Sunday of Easter . . . . . . . . . . 27APRIL 17, 2016

4th Sunday of Lent . . . . . . . . . . . 10MARCH 6, 2016

5th Sunday of Easter. . . . . . . . . 29 APRIL 24, 2016

5th Sunday of Lent . . . . . . . . . . . 12MARCH 13, 2016

6th Sunday of Easter . . . . . . . . . . 31MAY 1, 2016

Palm Sundayof the Lord’s Passion . . . . . . . . . . 14MARCH 20, 2016

The Ascension of the Lord . . . . 33MAY 8, 2016

Easter Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20MARCH 27, 2016

Pentecost Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . 35MAY 15, 2016

LBSCC Guide Holy Family Catholic Community Inverness, IL 60067 2

Gathering of the Small Christian Community

Fostering a Prayerful Environment Lighting the Candle

Music, Silent Prayer

Praying the Covenant Prayer

God Sightings How has anyone experienced God’s presence or the movement or will of God

in the events of your life or our world since the last time we met?

Breaking Open the Sacred Scripture Readings

DVD Reflection

Faith Sharing Questions

Responding to God’s Word What am I going to do, concretely, to live the message of the Scriptures this week?

What can we do, as a small Christian community, short-range or long-term, to transform

society in light of the Scriptures we have heard proclaimed?

What outreach or social justice mission should we embrace as a group?

Closing Prayer Petitions

Our Father


1 st Sunday of Lent February 14, 2016

FIRST READINGDeuteronomy 26:4-10A reading from the book of Deuteronomy

Moses spoke to the people, saying: “When the priest takes the basket form your hand and sets it down before the altar of the LORD your God, you shall make this response before the Lord, your God: ‘A wandering Aramean was my father; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he becamea great nation, mighty and populous.When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labour on us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me.’”And Moses continued,“You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow before the Lord your God.”

SECOND READINGRomans 10:8-13A reading from the Letter of Saint Paulto the Romans

Brothers and sisters, what does Scripture say?“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.The Scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call upon him.For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”


1st Sunday of Lent • February 14, 2016

GOSPELLuke 4:1-13A reading from the holy Gospelaccording to Luke

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.The devil said to him,“If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone.’”Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.And the devil said to him,“To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.If you, then, will worship me, it will be all yours.”Jesus answered him,“It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him,“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his Angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘ Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1. The first reading speaks of the great migration of the Israelites. Think back into your family’s history – what stories of migration or immigration can you tell that show God’s mercy?

2. In what ways can you show God gratitude for God’s abundant graces this Lenten Season?

3. At Mass we ritually stand as the gifts are presented. What does this evoke in you?

4. Paul teaches that both believing and confessing are necessary for salvation. Why is belief alone not enough?

5. If Lent is not so much about the “religious” things that we do, what, then, is the purpose of the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that the Church calls us to follow?

6. Jesus realized that by succumbing to temptation he was betraying his identity. How is this same thing true for us?

7. What enables you to be faithful in the face of temptation?

SOCIAL JUSTICE QUESTION

If the devil was going to tempt you, what temptations would he use?


2 nd Sunday of Lent February 21, 2016

FIRST READINGGenesis 15:5-12, 17-18A reading from the Book of Genesis

The Lord said to Abram: “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.”Then he said to him,“So shall your descendants be.”And he believed the LORD; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.Then the Lord said to Abram, “I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.”But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”The Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”Abram brought the Lord all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.On that day that the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”

SECOND READINGPhilippians 3:17―4:1A reading from the Letter of Saint Paulto the Philippians

Brothers and sisters,join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.For many live as enemies of the Cross of Christ;I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their Ggd is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.But our citizenship is in heaven, and from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things.Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm, my beloved, in the Lord in this way.


2nd Sunday of Lent • February 21, 2016

GOSPELLuke 9:28b-36A reading from the holy Gospelaccording to Luke

Jesus took Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah,talking to Jesus.They appeared in glory and were speaking of his exodus, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” but Peter did not know what he said.While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.And the disciples kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.


1. Abram is promised that his descendants will be countless. What promises has God fulfilled in your life and how have you acknowledged God’s benevolence?

2. The promise of descendants as numerous as the stars and the possession of wide expanse of land show the magnanimous mercy and love of God. How have you experienced the magnanimous generosity of God’s love and mercy in your life?

3. Who would you identify as “enemies of the Cross of Christ” in today’s world?

4. Paul urges the Philippians to imitate him. Who models faith for you?

5. When have you had an encounter with God that has left you silent?

6. God was revealed through Jesus. Through whom is God revealed to you?


What are you doing to make your life recognizably different? Do your justice actions make your faith shine?


3 rd Sunday of Lent February 28, 2016

FIRST READINGExodus 3:1-8a, 13-15A reading from the book of Exodus

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian;he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.There the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush;Moses looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed.Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the LORD saw that Moses had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!”And Moses said, “Here I am.”Then God said, “Come no closer!Remove the sandals from your feet,for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”God said further, “I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.Then the LORD said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters.Indeed, I know their sufferings,and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”But Moses said to God,“If I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’

what shall I say to them?”God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”He said further, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.’”God also said to Moses, “Thus shall you say to the children of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’“This is my name forever, and this is my memorial for all generations.”

SECOND READING1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paulto the CorinthiansI do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud; and all passed through the sea; all of were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink.For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was the Christ.Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not to fall.


3rd Sunday of Lent • February 28, 2016

GOSPELLuke 13:1-9A reading from the holy Gospelaccording to Luke

Jesus was teaching the crowds; some of those present told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.Jesus asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?No, I tell you;but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them— do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem?No, I tell you;but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came back looking for fruit on it and found none.So he said to the gardener, ‘See here!For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I found none.Cut it down!Why should it be wasting the soil?’The gardener replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.If it bears fruit next year, well and good;but if not, you can cut it down.’”


1. Have you ever had an unexpected encounter with God? How did it affect you?

2. What is the name of God that has the most meaning for you?

3. Paul warns us that even though the Israelites were favored by God they still chose evil. What lessons can we learn from our ancestors in faith? How difficult is it to sometimes forget those warnings?

4. Paul suggests that we can lose “God’s favor” through sin. Do you agree that this is the way God responds to us when we sin?

5. Suffering in and of itself is not a sign of sin but sin can cause us to suffer and suffering can cause us to sin. What role has suffering played in your faith life? Have you ever or do you presently believe that suffering is a result of sin?

6. How can you apply this Gospel in your life?


If you had one more year like the fig tree to make your community a better place, what would you do?


4 th Sunday of Lent March 6, 2016

FIRST READINGJoshua 5:9a, 10-12A reading from the book of Joshua

The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” While the children of Israel were camped at Gilgal they kept the Passover in the evening on the fourteenth of the month in the plains of Jericho.On the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain.The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land and the children of Israel no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.

SECOND READING2 Corinthians 5:17-21A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!And all this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

For our sake God made Christ to be sinwho knew no sin, so that in Christ we might become the righteousness of God.

GOSPELLuke 15:1-3, 11-32A reading from the holy Gospelaccording to Luke

All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus.And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying,“This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”So he told them a parable:“ There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’So the father divided his property between them.A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs.The young man would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.But when he came to himself he said, How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and more to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him,


4th Sunday of Lent • March 6, 2016

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’So he set off and went to his father.But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’But the father said to his slaves, Quickly, bring out a robe – the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.And get the fattened calf and kill it,and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’And they began to celebrate.Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on.The slave replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’Then the elder son became angry and refused to go in.His father came out and began to plead with him.But he answered his father,Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.

But when this son of yours comes back,who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’Then the father said to him,Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”


1. In the first reading the Israelites find joy in God’s saving act. How have God’s saving acts in your life brought you joy?

2. The Israelites had to take responsibility for making the Promised Land their own. What responsibility do we have to further the Kingdom in our land?

3. How are you an “ambassador for Christ”?

4. What does reconciliation with God and others require of us?

5. What does the parable in the Gospel tell us about the mercy of God?

6. When have you exhibited the behaviors of the youngest son? the elder son? the father?

7. The Church names this Laetare Sunday. Laetare means rejoice. In what do you rejoice on this 1st part of your Lenten journey?


How do we reconcile with those in the world who have sinned against the United States through acts of terrorism?


5 th Sunday of Lent March 13, 2016

FIRST READINGIsaiah 43:16-21A reading from thebook of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior;they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.The wild beasts will honour me, the jackals and the ostriches;for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.

SECOND READINGPhilippians 3:8-14A reading from theLetter of Saint Paul to the Philippians

Brothers and sisters:I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.


5th Sunday of Lent • March 13, 2016

GOSPELJohn 8:1-11A reading from the holy Gospelaccording to John

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.Early in the morning he again came to the temple.All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them.The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before the people, they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.In the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.Now what do you say?”They said this to test Jesus, so that they might have some charge to bring against him.Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.When the scribes and Pharisees kept on questioning him, Jesus straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”And once again Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground.When the scribes and Pharisees heard what Jesus had said, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”She said, “No one, sir.”And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”


1. The prophet Isaiah proclaims that something “new” is about to unfold. What has God made “new” for you on your Lenten journey this season?

2. What are the joys and riches that you have experienced through the mercy of God?

3. Paul found things of his past to be “rubbish” because they did not lead him to Christ. What of your past might you consider “rubbish” in light of the way God’s mercy and love have led you?

4. What do we learn about God’s mercy from the Gospel?

5. How difficult is it for us to condemn the sin but forgive the sinner, especially in light of the violence and terrorism that pervades our world?

6. How could we/you act more like Jesus in situations that have the potential to tempt us to be judgmental?


Jesus truly values the dignity of the woman caught in adultery. How do we value the dignity of people who we believe have sinned?


Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion March 20, 2016

Note to facilitators: This week only, please show the video reflection before having your group read the readings.

FIRST READINGIsaiah 50:4-7A reading from thebook of the Prophet Isaiah

The servant of the Lord said:“The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.Morning by morning he wakens -wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.The Lord has opened my ear,and I was not rebellious,I did not turn backward.I gave my back to those who struck me,and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.The Lord GOD helps me, therefore I have not been disgraced;therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.”

SECOND READINGPhilippians 2:6-11A reading from the Letter of St. Paulto the Philippians

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross.Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion • March 20, 2016

GOSPELLuke 22:14―23:56The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

When the hour came,Jesus took his place at the table, and the Apostles with him.He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for, I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”Then Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my Blood.But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table.For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!”Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this.A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors.

But not so with you;rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?Is it not the one at the table?But I am among you as the one who serves.You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.“Simon, Simon, listen!Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!”Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”Jesus said to them,“When I sent you forth without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?”The Apostles said, “No, not a thing.”Jesus said to them, “But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag.And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.For I tell you, this Scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’;and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.”The Apostles said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”Jesus replied, “It is enough.”



Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him.When he reached the place, he said to his disciples, “Pray that you may not come into temptation.”Then Jesus withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup away from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”Then an Angel from heaven appeared to Jesus and gave him strength.In anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of Blood falling down on the ground.When Jesus got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping?Get up and pray that you may not come into temptation.”While Jesus was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them.He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?”When those who were around Jesus saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with a sword?”Then one of the disciples struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.But Jesus said, “No more of this!”And Jesus touched the slave’s ear and healed him.Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit?

When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me.But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”Then they seized Jesus and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house.But Peter was following at a distance.When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.Then a servant girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.”But Peter denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.”A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.”But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.”But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.”At that moment, while he was still speaking,the cock crowed.The Lord turned and looked at Peter.Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.”And Peter went out and wept bitterly.Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?”They kept heaping many other insults on him.When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought Jesus to their council.



They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.”Jesus replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question, you will not answer.But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?”Jesus said to them, “You say that I am.”Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate.They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Christ, a king.”Then Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”He answered, “You say so.”Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.”But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.”When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at the time.When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see Jesus perform some sign.Herod questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer.

The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate.That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies. Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them,“You brought this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him.” Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us.Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death.I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”Now Pilate was obliged to release someone for them at the festival.Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!”(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.”But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified;and their voices prevailed.



So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted.He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.As they led Jesus away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the Cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.A great number of people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do not do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Jesus.When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

And they cast lots to divide his clothing.And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”The soldiers also mocked Jesus, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself!”There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.”But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?And we indeed have been condemned justly, but this man has done nothing wrong.”Then he said,“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.Then Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”Having said this, he breathed his last.



When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts.But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though he a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action.He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and was awaiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.Then he took it down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid.It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid.Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.On the Sabbath these women rested according to the commandment.


1. Where and how can we best experience God’s saving acts continuing in our world?

2. What do you hear in the 2nd reading that you could apply to your own life?

3. Which scene(s) in the Passion narrative most deeply resonate(s) with you? Why?

4. What do you think was in Jesus’ eyes or on his face when he looked at Peter after Peter had denied him that caused Peter to weep?

5. What lessons from Jesus’ death would you hope to apply to your own death?

6. Is this going to be just “another” Holy Week and Easter passing us by? What can you do in these coming days before Easter to make sure it is not?


Isaiah speaks of the gift from God of a well-trained tongue to speak to the weary. If you also possess that gift, how have you used it to promote the common good?


Easter Sunday March 27, 2016

First ReadingActs 10:34a, 37-43A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Peter began to speak: “You know the message that spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power; how he went about doing good and healing all those who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.We are witnesses of all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem.They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.All the Prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

SECOND READING1 Corinthians 5:6b-8A reading from the Letter of Saint Paulto the Corinthians

Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?Clean out the old yeast so that you may be an new batch, as you really are unleavened.

For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed.Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb.The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb.He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not yet understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.


Easter Sunday • March 27, 2016

Then the disciples returned to their homes.But Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the tomb.As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two Angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.They said to her,“Woman, why are you weeping?She said to them,“They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.Jesus said to her,“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid min, and I will take him away.”Jesus said to her, “Mary!”She turned and said to him in Hebrew,“Rabbouni!” which means Teacher.Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father.But go to my brothers and say to them,I am ascending to my father and to your Father, to my God and your God.”

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples,“I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her.


1. In the first reading Peter states that he was commanded to preach to the people. How can you “preach” without sounding “preachy”?

2. Is there any “old yeast” that you are still carrying with you since last Easter that your need to rid yourself of in order to properly celebrate the feast of Easter?

3. What do you/we “celebrate” on Easter morning?

4. What are the signs of “new life” that you are seeing in yourself? in our church? In the world?

5. What has deepened your faith, your ability to believe, since last Easter?

6. Take in the entire scene described in the Gospel. Where would you place yourself in that scene?


How can we be a people of resurrection to others who suffer from violence or injustice?


2 nd Sunday of Easter April 3, 2016

FIRST READINGActs 5:12-16A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Many signs and wonders were done among the people through the Apostles.And the believers were all together in Solomon’s Portico.None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem.Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by.A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits and they were all cured.

SECOND READINGRevelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19A reading from the book of Revelation

I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven Churches.”

Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest.When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.But he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, and the living one.I was dead, but see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades.Now write what you have seen, what is, and what is to take place after this.”


It was evening on the day Jesus rose from the dead, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews.Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”


2nd Sunday of Easter • April 3, 2016

But Thomas, who was called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.”But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the marks of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”After eight days his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them.Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.


1. The Church has named this Sunday of the Church year Mercy Sunday. How is the mercy of God shown in the 1st reading?

2. Name one of the “signs and wonders” that God has worked in your life. Tell how it has impacted your faith life. At whose hands did this happen?

3. What would you “write in a book” that would give hope to those who are discouraged or who have lost their faith?

4. How do we become “brothers” with those who are suffering?

5. What are we actually saying when we say “Peace be with you” to one another at Mass?

6. What brings you peace?

7. Thomas was called to believe on the word of others. Whose words or actions have helped you to believe?


The disciples had locked themselves up in fear of the Jews. Who do you fear in your life and how do you react? Does your reaction promote justice or inhibit justice?


3 rd Sunday of Easter April 10, 2016

First ReadingActs 5:28-32, 40b-41A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

In those days: The high priest questioned the Apostles, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in his name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.”But Peter and the Apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than human beings.The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”Then the council ordered the Apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name.

Second ReadingRevelation 5:11-14A reading from the Book of Revelation

I, John, looked, and I heard the voice of many Angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!”Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever.”And the four living creatures said, “Amen!”And the elders fell down and worshipped.


3rd Sunday of Easter • April 10, 2016

GospelJohn 21:1-19A reading from the holy Gospelaccording to John

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way.Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”They said to him, “We will go with you.”They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.Just after daybreak, Jesus showed on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.Jesus said to them, “Children, have no fish, have you?”They answered him, “No.”He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea.But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about ninety metres off.When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn.Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord.Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

Gospel continues


Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and go wherever you wished.But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.”(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.)After this he said to him, “Follow me.”


1. Peter and the Apostles spoke boldly even with the threat of punishment. Can you think of a time when you had to speak about your faith when it might not have seemed prudent not to do so? What caused you to speak up or, conversely, not to speak up?

2. It was the preaching and teaching of the Apostles that caused many to join the faith. What role can you play in the teaching and/or preaching ministry in order to build up the faith community?

3rd Sunday of Easter • April 10, 2016

3. What price are you willing to pay for your conviction about Christ? How are you presently paying that price?

4. The 2nd reading shares John’s vision of heaven. What is your vision of heaven?

5. How is God’s mercy revealed in the Gospel?

6. Feeding and tending the flock of Christ is the responsibility of all baptized members. How do you fulfill this responsibility?


Jesus simply asks us to follow Him.What path of mercy has Jesus called you to

follow?

4 th Sunday of Easter April 17, 2016

First ReadingActs 13:14, 43-52A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Paul and Barnabas went on from Perga

But the officials incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region.


and came to Antioch in Pisidia.On the Sabbath they went into the synagogue and sat down.When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.But when the Jewish officials saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul.Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you.Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles.For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers.Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region.But the officials incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas,

So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium.And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Second ReadingRevelation 7:9, 14b-7A reading from the book of Revelation

After this, I, John, looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, and with palm branches in their hands.And one of the elders then said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”


4th Sunday of Easter • April 17, 2016


Jesus said:“My sheep hear my voice.I know them, and they follow me.I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.No one will snatch them out of my hand.What my Father has given me, is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.The Father and I are one.”


1. Paul and Barnabas spoke with great zeal and thus many came to believe. Have you experienced someone’s great zeal in either words or deeds and, if so, how did they impact your faith?

2. “They shook the dust off their feet”…Have you ever had to leave a faith community or a group of people behind due to a conflict of faith?

3. How can the 2nd reading from the book of Revelations give comfort to those who suffer turmoil and crisis in their life?

4. When and where do you most often “hear” the voice of the Shepherd?

5. Is the image of Jesus as a “Good Shepherd” an image that you can relate to or is there another image of Jesus that helps you to relate better to Him?


Jesus assumes the figure of the Good Shepherd and the sheep, recognizing the voice of the Shepherd, follow him with absolute trust. Do you recognize when Jesus speaks to you and fully trust in Him when a justice issue is at hand?


5 th Sunday of Easter April 24, 2016

First ReadingActs 14:21b-27A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch.There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”And after they had appointed elders for them in each Church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed. When they arrived, they called the Church together and related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.

Second ReadingRevelation 21:1-5aA reading from the book of Revelation

Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth;for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among humans. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes.Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.”


5th Sunday of Easter • April 24, 2016

GospelJohn 13:1,31-33a, 34-35A reading from the holy Gospelaccording to John

Before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father.Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.During the supper, when Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and will glorify him at once.Little children, I am with you only a little while longer.I give you a new commandment: that you love one another.Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”


1. The growth of the early Church was amazing despite the trials and persecutions they faced. Has your faith journey been hampered by trials, persecution, doubts or fears? If so, what has sustained your faith?

2. The early Church appeared to be organized with a structure that facilitated growth. Do you feel that the structure of today’s church facilitates or inhibits growth?

3. How quick are you to attribute any success you have to God?

4. What do you see that God is making new in our church? in our family of faith? in you or in someone you know?

5. What does it mean to “love one another as I have loved you”? What challenges does this command offer? What “rewards”?

6. How and where do you most often encounter Christ?


Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment:“love one another.” How does Holy Family

Catholic Community show their love of one another? How can we improve?


6 th Sunday of Easter May 1, 2016

First ReadingActs 15:1-2, 22-29A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the Apostles and the elders. Then the Apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole Church, decided to choose men from among their members and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers, with the following letter:“The brothers, both the Apostles and the elders, to the believers of Gentile origin in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.Since we have heard that certain persons who have gone out from us, have said things to disturb you and have unsettled your minds, we have decided unanimously to choose representatives and to send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood and from what is strangled, and from fornication.If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.’”

Second ReadingRevelation 21:10-14, 22-23A reading from the book of Revelation

In the spirit the Angel carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal.It has a great, high wall with twelve gates and at the gates twelve Angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel; on the east there were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.


6th Sunday of Easter • May 1, 2016


Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.I have said these things to you while I am still with you.But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.I do not give to you as the world gives.Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occurs you may believe.”


1. The first reading shows that consultation and communal discernment under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit were hallmarks of the early Church. Where is this still practiced in the Church today? How could greater practice of this benefit the Church?

2. At the time of the 2nd reading the Roman occupation had destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. How disorientating do you think it would be for you if someone took over our nation and shuttered all the doors of the Catholic Churches? What would you think you would do?

3. What role has the Holy Spirt had in your faith experience?

4. How and/or when do you experience the peace that Jesus has left to us?

5. Jesus “last will and testament”, so to speak, is the gift of the Spirit and peace. What gifts would you like to bequeath to your loved ones?


Peace is something that everyone longs for,yet there are many places in the world

where peace is absent. How will you bring peace where it does not exist?


The Ascension of the Lord May 8, 2016

First ReadingActs 1:1-11A reading from the beginning of theActs of the Apostles

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom he had chosen.After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.“This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Second ReadingEphesians 1:17-23A reading from the Letter of Saint Paulto the Ephesians

Brothers and sisters:I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

Reading continues on next page


The Ascension of the Lord • May 8, 2016

God put his power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the Church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

GospelLuke 24:46-53A reading from the holy Gospelaccording to Luke

Jesus said to the disciples, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.You are witnesses of these things.And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them.While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.


1. How would you answer if the Angel said to you, “Why do you still stand looking up to heaven?”

2. What are some aspects of the faith that are still hard for you to grasp?

3. The mission of Jesus Christ continues in our world today through us. How do you personally carry on the mission of Christ?

4. How have you been or how are you now a “witness” for the Lord?

5. How has the LBSCC experience helped you to better understand the Scriptures?


Jesus prays for unity. Do you work to unite others – family and friends, people of other faiths, people of other colors, people of other lands?


Pentecost Sunday May 15, 2016

First ReadingActs 2:1-11A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.And all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.At this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in their own language.Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own language?Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts, Cretans and Arabs- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”

Second Reading1 Corinthians 12.3b-7,12-13A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paulto the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters: No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord;and there are varieties of activities but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free- and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.


Pentecost Sunday • May 15, 2016


It was evening on the day Jesus rose from the dead, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews.Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”


1. Have you ever had an experience when your words of advice or wisdom came forth and you didn’t really know where they came from?

2. Do you remember your Confirmation Day? What impact, if any, did it have on you? Is there another time when you more fully experienced the power of the Holy Spirit?

3. What “gifts” do you bring to the Church today? Are those gifts different than they were when you were first confirmed?

4. Living in the Spirit is living a transformed life. Where can you point to transformation through the Spirit in your own life?

5. Why is the feast of Pentecost so significant in the Church?


In what creative ways is the Spirit moving you to act on an issue of injustice?


holyfamilyparish.orgholyfamilyparish.org/.../2012/08/LBSCC-guide-Lent-Pentec… · Web viewFebruary 2016. Dear Friends in Christ, Mercy is here. Maddy Lopez, our speed artists helped

Documents