St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Sunday, September 5, 2010 

Reflection Questions for Next Sunday’s Readings 

1. The first reading asks and answers the question: who can know the mind of God? The question is a challenging one: How can we as weak finite humans know “God’s counsel” (i.e., his mind and wisdom)? The answer is: only those who have received the Holy Spirit have been given that wisdom. We as Christians are those people. How much time do you spend praying and asking the Holy Spirit for God’s wisdom (for example, to understand God’s plan for your life or your children’s)? What steps can you take to make the power of the Holy Spirit a greater reality in your life?

2. The responsorial psalm again speaks of gaining “wisdom of heart.” It reminds us of Pascal’s exclamation: “the heart has reasons the mind knows not of.” All of salvation history is a love story (between God and his people, between God and each one of us). How do you respond to God’s love? How can you grow in a deeper experience of God’s love?

3. In the letter to Philemon, St. Paul returns Onesimus, a man who had been Philemon’s slave, and asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother and a partner – a brother in Christ instead of as a slave. There are people we can “enslave”, perhaps by feeling superior, by not forgiving, by holding ourselves aloof, or by choosing to avoid them. How is God asking you to “set free” people in your life who may fall into any of these categories?

4. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the cross each of us is asked to bear and the cost of being his disciple. Jesus also tells us elsewhere that his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30). When you have followed the Lord’s will in a difficult time your life, no matter the cost, what has been your experience?

5. In the Gospel, Jesus also proclaims these challenging words: “In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). What do you think Jesus meant by these words? What possessions are you so attached to that they might be getting in the way of being a disciple of Christ? How far are you willing to go in taking the required actions to follow Christ’s words?


Sunday, September 12, 2010 

Reflection Questions for Next Sunday’s Readings 

1. The first reading speaks of the idol erected by the Israelites after they left Egypt. It also describes God’s wrath against those who would put created things above him. We, as Catholics, can put the things of this world ahead of our worship and obedience to God. We too often have a tendency to return to familiar patterns of behavior or even sin when confronted with difficulties. What areas of your life have the potential to be (or are) “idols”? 

2. The responsorial psalm speaks of David’s cry for the forgiveness and the mercy of God. It is also a cry for a “clean heart” and a “steadfast spirit.” How might you take better advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation to receive a “clean heart” and a “steadfast spirit”?

3. In the letter to Timothy, Paul tells how he himself, once “the foremost” of sinners, received God’s mercy and came to serve the Lord. He went on to say that he was “mercifully treated” so that in him, “Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for all those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life” (1Timothy 1:16). How might your service to God and the Church be seen as an example to others of God’s love and mercy? How willing are you to tell others of God’s love and mercy?

4. In the Gospel, we read of the complaints being made against Jesus; that he “welcomes” sinners. How well are you reaching out to others, especially those less fortunate than you? How might you go the “extra mile” to serve your spouse, your family, your parish, your neighbors, and your co-workers?

5. The Gospel also recounts the parable of the prodigal son. Like the son, how have you valued what God the Father could do for you more than you valued your relationship of love and intimacy with him? How might you use the example of the father in the parable as an inspiration in your own life?


St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Sunday, September 19, 2010 

Reflection Questions for Next Sunday’s Readings 

1. The first reading contains a strong warning to businessmen to be fair and not to “trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land” (Amos 8:4). In what ways do we “trample” and “destroy” the poor, when we simply ignore their plight?

2. In the responsorial psalm, we hear again how our God “raises up the lowly” and “lifts up the poor.” In light of these readings, what additional action(s) are you willing to take to better serve those less fortunate?

3. In the second reading, St. Paul strongly encourages prayers for all in authority. He goes on to say that they are “good and pleasing to God.” Is your partisanship so full of “anger or argument” that you might be unable to heed his admonition? Are you willing to pray on a regular basis for the president and all your elected officials? If not, why not? 

4. In the Gospel, Jesus tells of the steward who was asked for a “full account” of his stewardship. How would you respond if Christ were to ask you to account for what he has given you? Are you willing to take some additional steps to improve the stewardship of your time, talents, and treasures? Why or why not?

5. Jesus also warns those who are not trustworthy “in very small matters.” Are there any situations in business, or in your relationships, where you might excuse yourself by saying, “it’s so small it really doesn’t matter”?



St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Sunday, September 26, 2010 

Reflection Questions for Next Sunday’s Readings 

1. In the first reading, we hear of the fate of those who are “complacent,” “stretched comfortably on their couches,” “devise their own accomplishments,” and “anoint themselves with the best oils.” In what ways can we fall into these same selfish and self-centered actions in our own lives? What steps can we take to overcome them? 

2. In the responsorial psalm, the fate of the selfish and self-centered person from the first reading is contrasted with God’s compassion and mercy on those who “keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry” (Psalm 146:7). How can you respond to this reading - individually, as a family, or with a group? 

3. In the second reading from the first letter to Timothy, what are some of the actions that Paul lists as actions to be taken by a man or women of God? How does the way you live out your own life each day stack up against this list? How important to you is living your life as a man or women of God? 

4. In the Gospel, again we are faced with a contrast – this time it is between the fate of a selfish and self-centered man and a lowly poor man. What do you think is the main message of this parable? How does it apply to your own life?