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Lectio Divina – 1st Sunday of Lent (March 10th) – Cycle C

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so Your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

Luke 4:1-13 – Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written; You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said 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 guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT (March 17th) – CYCLE C

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

 Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

“THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.” (JOHN 14:26)

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings. 

  1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

  

  1. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

 

 

SECOND DAY         READ GENESIS 15:5-12, 17-18     FIRST READING 

          (“I am the Lord who brought you from Ur…”) 

  1. The Lord took Abram outside and said what to him?   Genesis 15:5

  

  1. In whom did Abram put his faith, and as what was it credited? Genesis 15:6

  

  1. The righteousness Paul possesses comes from what?   Philippians 3:9

  

  1. Read the following scriptures and tell how they apply to you.  Romans 4:3, 9, 22, Galatians 3:6, and James 2:23

  

  1. From where did Abram come? Genesis 15:7

  

  1. What question did Abram put to the Lord? Genesis 15:8

 

  1. What did the Lord tell Abram to do and what swooped down on the carcasses?   Genesis 15:9-11

  

  1. What did Abram do when the birds of prey came?   Genesis 15:11

 

  1. What happened to Abram as the sun was about to set?   Genesis 15:12

  

  1. What are similar ways symbolizing the presence of God in these scriptures? Exodus 19:17-19, Acts 2:3-4

  

  1. What did the Lord do with Abraham on that occasion?  Genesis 15:18

  

  1. In whom did the fulfillment of this covenant take place?  Joshua 1:1-9 

 

Personal – What is your relationship with God right now? How do you show that you believe the promises God has made in the Bible? What are some of the promises of God, and the covenants he has made with his people? Reflect on this and talk to God about it.

  

 

THIRD DAY           READ PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1      SECOND READING 

    (“…continue, my dear ones, to stand firm in the Lord.”) 

  1. Who are we to imitate, and who are we to take as a guide?  Philippians 1:1 and 3:17

  

  1. How do many conduct themselves and what will happen to them?   Philippians 3:18-19

  

  1. What is their god and their glory, and with what do they occupy their mind? Philippians 3:19

  

  1. Where do we have our citizenship, and for what do we wait?   Philippians 3:20

  

  1. What will the Lord do to our bodies? Philippians 3:21

  

  1. According to what does he remake our bodies, and for what reason? Philippians 3:21

  

  1. Who does Paul love? Philippians 4:1

  

  1. Who does Jesus say his brothers are? Matthew 12:46-50

  

  1. What does Paul tell his brothers?   Philippians 4:1

  

Personal – How much time do you spend taking care of your body? Are you looking forward to the Lord remaking this body? How can you “stand firm,” as Paul tells us to do?

 

 

FOURTH DAY              READ LUKE 9:28-36                GOSPEL

         (“This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.”) 

  1. What did Jesus say eight days before he took Peter, John and James up onto a mountain to pray? Luke 9:27

  

  1. On what other occasions were Peter, John and James with Jesus? Luke 8:51-52 and Mark 14:32-33

  

  1. What did they go up on the mountain to do? Luke 9:28

  

  1. What happened to Jesus’ face and clothes as he prayed?   Luke 9:29

  

  1. Who were suddenly conversing with Jesus? Luke 9:30

  

  1. How did they appear, and about what did they speak?   Luke 9:31

  

  1. Upon awakening, what happened to Peter and those with him?   Luke 9:32

  

Personal – How do you think you would react if while in prayer you fell asleep and awoke seeing Jesus, Moses and Elijah? Do you think this is possible?

  

  1. When the men were leaving, what did Peter say to Jesus?   Luke 9:33

  

  1. While Peter was speaking, what overshadowed them? What was the reaction of the disciples?   Luke 9:34

 

  1. What came from the cloud and what was said?   Luke 9:35

  

  1. Who was standing there when the voice fell silent, and did the disciples tell anyone about this at that time?  Luke 9:36

  

Personal – In what ways have you listened to Jesus this past week? Do you speak to him and then listen to what he has to say through his Word? What is it that God wants to do in you? Are you allowing God to transform you? As you do this you too will be transformed as it says in 2 Corinthians 3:18.

 

 

FIFTH DAY          READ PSALM 27:1, 7-9, 13-14 

              (“Wait for the Lord, take courage;”) 

Read and meditate on Psalm 27:1, 7-9, 13-14.

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY          READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY 

                     GENESIS 15:5-12, 17-18

      Abram was not promised wealth or fame, he already had that, but God promised that Abram’s descendants would be too numerous to count. Abram was an old man with no heirs to his own fame and fortune and we see God promising to change all that. Abram believes with all his heart, mind and soul. Abram’s faith was a strong response to the living presence and power of God in his life and his faith had made him right with God.

      We too can have a right relationship with God by trusting him with our lives. Our outward actions, church attendance, prayer, good deeds, and even reading Sacred Scripture, by themselves, will not make us right with God. A right relationship is based on faith. We are confident that God is who he says he is, and does what he says he will do. Righteous actions will follow a strong faith naturally as a by-product.

      We have read of Abram’s mistakes and know that he was not perfect. Though human and sinful, Abram believed and trusted in God. It was faith and not perfection that made Abram righteous in God’s eyes. This same principle applies to us. Our first response must be to believe in God and to trust in him completely. God’s covenant with Abram was serious business. It represented an incredible promise from God and a huge responsibility from Abram. To confirm his promises to Abram, God gave him a sign, the smoking fire pot and the flaming torch. God confirmed his promise to you and to me when he gave us Jesus Christ, our personal Lord and Savior.

 

                      PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1

      Paul challenges the Philippians to use him as a role model in their attempt to live like Christ. He did not mean that they should just copy him as if he were perfect, but they should focus on their lives being like Christ’s life. There was no written Gospel yet, so Paul could not tell them to read the bible to see what Christ was like. Paul therefore urged the people to follow his example as a personal testimony to his character.

      We need to ask ourselves about what kind of follower would a new Christian become if he or she imitated us. There is an old saying that is pretty powerful, and it goes like this: “To some people, the only bible that they will ever read will be you.” Paul was very strong in his comment about the self-indulgent Christians. These are people who claim to be Christian, but do not live up to the model of being a servant of Christ. There is very little sacrifice in their attitude or actions. They satisfy their own desires before even thinking about the needs of others.

      Freedom in Christ does not mean freedom to be selfish, it means the opportunity to serve. We can only become true servants of the Lord when we die to ourselves. This means putting others first, and it means that we all are called to “walk the walk, as well as, talk the talk.” Paul was very clear in stating that the bodies we receive when we as Christians are raised from the dead will be like Christ’s resurrected body.

      Paul is encouraging his listeners to give thanks, and we might all give thanks today, because when Christ returns to take us into his eternal kingdom, we will be glorified and made completely perfect. Paul closes the reading by telling his listeners that he longs to see his brothers and sisters in the Lord. He longs to renew old friendships and he urges them to stay true to the Lord.

      Today that plea is extremely important and we are called to hold true to the Lord. The attack on us as Christians is enormous and only by being true to Jesus Christ and staying close in Christian fellowship through his Holy Word, church and sacraments can we be victorious with him.

 

                          LUKE 9:28-36

      Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of the mountain to pray together to his heavenly father. He took them there to show them who he really was, not just a great prophet, but God’s only Begotten Son. He just recently told them that they would not die before they had seen the kingdom of God (Luke 9:27). He was referring to the transfiguration. Jesus’ listeners were not going to have to wait for another future Messiah. He was telling them the kingdom was among them and would soon come in power through the work of the Holy Spirit.

      Moses, representing the Law, and Elijah, representing the prophets, appeared with Jesus and God’s voice singled out Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah with divine authority. Jesus would fulfill both the law and the prophets because he was the summation of it all. The brightness of Jesus’ face was being seen for the first time by the apostles. They were really seeing him for whom he really was. Moses saw the dazzling brightness in the clouds on the mountaintop and in the burning bush on the desert floor, but while he was alive, he never saw the brightness that radiated from the face of Christ on that mountaintop. The transfiguration or change was in the apostles because they were seeing Jesus in a totally new way.

      Have you experienced the miracle of the transfiguration in your life? Have you asked Christ to come in and take up residence in your heart? He will gladly abide in you if you will abide in him (John 15:7). Jesus stands knocking on the door to our heart, and he will wait as long as it takes. Open that door of your heart today and look into the radiance and dazzling brightness of his face. He is waiting to share his transfiguration with you, and he wants you to witness to others the miracle of his love and forgiveness.

      The apostles did not want to leave that mountain because the change was fantastic, and they did not want to take a chance of losing the excitement of the moment. Jesus is the chosen one and in him is all power and glory. He wants the apostles to come off that mountain and go forth and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus is giving all of us the same command, and that is to leave the safety of the mountaintop, and go down into the dark, cold valleys and lead our children to safety (Matthew 28:20). And remember, whatever you do to the least of my children, you do unto me (Matthew 25:31-46.)

 

Application

      The first reading shows faith is the response to the living presence and power of God in our life. The second reading challenges faith-filled Christians to be Christ-like role models. The Gospel reveals that conversion to Christ brings upon us a complete transfiguration.

      This week, let others see in you a transfiguration. Show that Christ resides within you by your actions. Make a commitment to serve joyfully those around you, and others will notice the radiance and dazzling brightness that comes from you. You will bring more people to Christ by the good fruit you bear. Gal.5:22-23

 

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT (March 10th) – CYCLE C

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

“THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.” (JOHN 14:26)

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

  1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

 

  1. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

 

 

SECOND DAY                                             READ DEUTERONOMY 26:4-10                                       FIRST READING

(“He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm.”)

  1. Who shall take the basket out of your hands, and what will he do with it?   Deuteronomy 26:4

 

  1. In verse 5 of Deuteronomy 26, who is speaking? Deuteronomy 1:1

 

  1. Who is the wandering Aramean, and where did he go? Genesis 46:6

 

  1. How did the wandering Aramean live, and what did he become? Deuteronomy 26:5

 

  1. How did the Egyptians treat the Israelites, and to whom did they cry out?   Deuteronomy 26:6-7

 

  1. What do the following verses say about oppression?

    Isaiah 53:8

Isaiah 58:9

 

Personal – In what way have you been maltreated and oppressed? How have you dealt with it?

 

  1. What two senses did the Lord use in Deuteronomy 26:7?

 

  1. In what way did the Lord answer their cry? Deuteronomy 26:8

 

  1. What was the land like to which the Lord brought them to? Deuteronomy 26:9

 

  1. What did Moses do in response to what the Lord did for him? Deuteronomy 26:10

 

  1. What should we do in response to what he has done for us? List the two things in verse 10 of Deuteronomy 26.

 

Personal – What has God personally done for you in the past? From what you have earned or produced financially, in what way have you responded to what God has done for you? Have you bowed down in thanksgiving and reverence to the Lord for all he has done for you?

 

 

 

THIRD DAY                                                        READ ROMANS 10:8-13                                          SECOND READING

(“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”)

  1. What is near you, on your lips, and in your heart, and what does Paul say is preached? Romans 10:8

 

  1. What or who is the Word?   John 1:1, 14

 

  1. With what do you confess, and what do you confess? Romans 10:9

 

  1. Who gives you the ability to confess Jesus is Lord? 1 Corinthians 12:3

 

  1. With what do you believe and what will happen to you if you do this?   Romans 10:9

 

  1. What leads to justification, and what leads to salvation? Romans 10:10

 

  1. What does Scripture say in Romans 10:11, Romans 9:33, and Isaiah 28:16?

 

Personal – There are two requirements to being justified and saved. In what way have you fulfilled these requirements?

 

  1. To whom is God rich in mercy?   Romans 10:12
  2. What must you do to receive God’s mercy? Romans 10:12

 

  1. Who will be saved? Romans 10:13, Acts 2:21

 

Personal – To whom and in what way have you spoken to others of what Jesus has done for you? Take a few minutes now and reflect on Jesus, who he is, and what he has done.

 

 

FOURTH DAY                                                         READ LUKE 4:1-13                                                                    GOSPEL

(“You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”)

  1. What was Jesus full of, and who conducted him into the desert? Luke 4:1

 

  1. What had previously taken place in the Jordan River? Luke 3:21

 

  1. How long was he in the desert, who tempted him, and what did he eat while there? Luke 4:2

 

  1. What did the devil say to him?   Luke 4:3

 

  1. What one word in verse 3 denotes the devil’s unbelief in him?

 

  1. What was Jesus’ response, and besides bread, what does Matthew 4:4 say man shall live on? Luke 4:4

 

  1. What did the devil show Jesus, and what did the devil say to him?   Luke 4:5-6

 

  1. Deuteronomy 26:10 tells us to bow down in the presence of the Lord for all he has done for us. What is the devil saying in Luke 4:7?

 

  1. What was Jesus’ reply to him?   Luke 4:8

 

  1. Then what did the devil do and say to Jesus, and what small word in verse 9 showed the devil’s unbelief?

 

  1. From what did the devil quote?   Psalm 91:11

 

  1. What did Jesus say to the devil, and when the devil had finished all the tempting, what did he do?   Luke 4:12 and Deuteronomy 6:16

Personal – In which of the following ways have you been tempted by Satan:   When you are hungry – When you feel inferior – When things are not going the way you would like them to go? In what practical way can you apply this lesson to your life this week? Share with someone.

 

 

FIFTH DAY                                                      READ PSALM 91:1-2, 10-15

(“My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15.

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY                                             READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

DEUTERONOMY 26:4-10

Today’s reading makes the purpose of tithing very clear: to put God first in our lives. We are called to give God the first and best of what we earn. This means that we give from the heart, and we are to give joyously. What we do with our money shows what we value most. Giving the first part of our paycheck to God, rather than what is left after taxes and bills, focuses our attention on him. A habit of regular tithing can keep God at the top of our priority list and give us a proper perspective on everything else we have.

The Bible and the Christian Church have always supported an organized system of caring for the poor. God told his people then, and he tells us today, to use our tithe for the helpless and poor. These regulations were designed to prevent the country from sinking under crushing poverty and oppression.

We see in today’s reading that it was everyone’s responsibility to care for the less fortunate and that responsibility still falls upon the body of believers in our church. In the Israelite tradition, each person was required to recite the history of God’s dealings with his people. We need to reflect on the history of God’s dealings with Christians throughout the ages.

What is the history of your relationship with God? Can you specifically recall what God has done for you? Take some time alone to reflect on the many gifts that God has given you. This will help you to see how all of your gifts and talents really come from God. That is why we can joyously tithe to God, because he has showered us with so much treasure. Remember, where your treasure is, your heart is.

 

ROMANS 10:8-13

A tremendously powerful statement is made when we say salvation that comes from trusting Christ is already within easy reach of us. In fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths. People all through the ages have looked for God through dramatic experiences. Some people have traveled all across the world to meet a spiritual leader.

Today’s Scripture reading tells us that God’s salvation is right in front of us. He will come to us wherever we are and whenever we call (John 6:37). All we need to do is to respond and accept his incredible gift of salvation. Today many people think that to become a Christian and be the recipient of the gift of salvation is a complicated process, but it is not. If we truly believe in our hearts and this belief is shown in the changes that take place in our lives and confess that Jesus is the Lord of our lives, then we too will be saved.

Paul is not saying that Christians will be free of all disappointments. There will be many times when people let us down and when circumstances take a turn for the worse. What Paul is really saying is that Jesus Christ will never let us down and that everyone who believes in him will be saved. Today there are some people who say they believe, but there is no fruit of the Holy Spirit visible in their lives. We validate what comes out of our mouths by the way we live our lives. When we really believe without hearts and confess that Jesus is really the Lord of our life, then others will see in us the fruits of love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

LUKE 4:1-13

Temptations often come after a high point in our spiritual lives or ministries. Sometimes we feel that if the Holy Spirit leads us, it will always be “beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2). But that is not necessarily true. He led Jesus into the desert and allowed him to experience a long and difficult time of testing.

The Holy Spirit can and does lead us into difficult situations in the desert experiences of our own lives. When facing these trials, first make sure you have not brought them on yourself through sin or foolish choices. If you find no sin to confess or behavior to change, then ask God to strengthen you for your test. Like Jesus did, you are also to follow faithfully where the Holy Spirit leads. We must always remember that Satan is a real being and his temptation of Eve in the Garden and of Jesus in the wilderness is not to be dismissed as just a symbol or an idea. We need to be on our guard in times of victory, just as in times of discouragement. Satan constantly fights against God and those who follow and obey him. We can be assured that knowing and obeying God’s Word is a very effective weapon against temptation.

Scripture clearly points out that God’s Holy Word is a very powerful offensive weapon that is provided in the Christian’s armor (Ephesians 6:17). Knowing Scripture is not enough to defeat Satan because he also knows Scripture. We must have faith in God’s promise that he loves us so much that he sent his only begotten Son into the world to die just for us. Jesus tells us that he is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and Satan cannot stand up to that power.

 

Application

The first reading shows that where your treasure is, your heart is. In the second reading, faith is belief in the giver more than in the gift. In the Gospel, God’s love is far more powerful than Satan’s fear.

This week show your family the power that comes from God when you set him in first place in your life. Let your family see that you joyously tithe and encourage them to give back to God some of the fruits that they enjoy. The simple act of your joyful caring for the helpless with your tithe will be a tremendous witness to your children and your children’s children.

 

OCTAVO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO (March 3rd) – CICLO C

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

                 Ora y pídele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.” (JUAN 14:26)

 

PRIMER DIA                     Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada.

  1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilía o de las lecturas que oíste en misa el domingo?

 

  1. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA                                                  ECLESIASTICO 27:4-7                            PRIMERA LECTURA

                                                  (“…así la palabra dá a conocer los sentimientos del hombre.”)

  1. ¿Qué pasa cuando se sacude el cedazo, y cuándo aparecen los defectos del hombre? Eclesiástico 27:4

 

  1. ¿De qué rogamos quedar limpios? ¿Con qué le pedimos al Señor para ser agradable a El?   Salmo 19:13, 15

 

  1. ¿Así como el horno pone a prueba los moldes del alfarero en donde está la prueba del hombre? Ecles. 27:5

 

  1. ¿Quién tiene al rey por amigo?   Proverbios 22:11

 

  1. ¿Qué demuestran los frutos del árbol? ¿La palabra del hombre que dá a conocer? Ecles. 27:6

 

  1. ¿Cuál es el fruto del Espíritu Santo?   Gálatas 5:22-23

 

  1. ¿Cómo se conoce al árbol? ¿De qué habla la boca y qué pasará el día del juicio? Mateo 12:33-37

 

  1. ¿Qué no debes hacer antes de que hable el hombre y por qué? Eclesiástico 27:7

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que mancha a una persona?   Mateo 15:11

 

  1. ¿Cómo has de poner el ejemplo a los creyentes?1 Timoteo 4:12

 

Personal – Piensa en el día de ayer y evalúa lo que dijiste. ¿Qué efecto tuvo lo que dijiste en los que te rodean? ¿Cómo puedes mejorar tu lenguaje?

 

 

TERCER DIA                                                     1 CORINTIOS 15:54-58                            SEGUNDA LECTURA

                     (“La muerte se valía del pecado para inyectar su veneno y la misma ley reforzaba al pecado.”)

  1. ¿Con qué se reviste nuestro ser mortal? 1 Corintios 15:54

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que los hijos comparten? ¿Qué es lo que se destruyó con la muerte de Jesús?        Hebreos 2:14-15

 

  1. ¿Qué palabras de la Escritura se han vuelto realidad? 1 Corintios 15:54-55

 

  1. ¿Cuál es el aguijón de la muerte y cuál es el poder del pecado?   1 Corintios 15:56

 

  1. ¿Qué produce la ley? ¿Cuando no hay ley, qué sucede? Romanos 4:15

 

  1. ¿Cómo llegamos a conocer el pecado? ¿Cómo supiste lo que significa codiciar?   Romanos 7:7

 

  1. ¿De qué debemos dar gracias a Dios?   1 Corintios 15:57

 

  1. ¿A dónde nos lleva Dios y qué difunde por medio de nosotros? 2 Corintios 2:14

 

  1. ¿Cómo debemos ser en nuestra obra por el Señor y qué debemos saber?   1 Corintios 15:58

 

  1. ¿Qué no les sucederá a aquellos que Dios bendice? Isaías 65:23

 

Personal – ¿De qué modo has tenido la experiencia de la muerte y la victoria en tu vida? ¿Qué significa para tí “trabajar por el Señor?”

 

 

CUARTO DIA                                                             LUCAS 6:39-45                                                     EVANGELIO

                                                    (“…por que su boca habla de lo que abunda en el corazón.”)

  1. ¿Qué le dijo Jesús a la gente, qué dijo acerca del ciego? ¿El discípulo no es superior a quién?   Lucas 6:39-40

 

  1. ¿A quién se parecerá el discípulo si se deja guiar? Lucas 6:40

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús después de haber lavado los pies a sus discípulos?   Juan 13:15-16

 

  1. ¿Qué observas en el ojo de tu hermano y qué no observas en el tuyo propio? ¿Qué no puedes decirle a tu hermano? Lucas 6:41-42

 

  1. ¿Cómo los llamó Jesús y qué les dijo que hicieran? Lucas 6:42

 

  1. ¿Qué hacen los hipócritas con sus labios? ¿En dónde están sus corazones?   Mateo 15:7-8

 

Personal – ¿Sobre qué asuntos has corregido o tratado de ayudar a otros? Examínate en esos mismos asuntos y observa si tú mismo necesitas sacar la viga de tu ojo.

 

  1. ¿Qué no dará un buen árbol y qué dará un árbol que no es sano? Lucas 6:43

 

  1. ¿Cómo se conoce al árbol? ¿Qué no se puede hacer? Lucas 6:44

 

  1. ¿Qué produce una persona buena? ¿De dónde las saca? ¿Qué produce una persona mala? ¿De dónde las saca?   Lucas 6:45

 

  1. ¿De qué habla la boca?   Lucas 6:45

 

  1. ¿Qué debes de cuidar y por qué? ¿Qué debes alejar de tu boca? Proverbios 4:23-24

 

Personal – Apréndete de memoria el Salmo 141:3 úsalo diariamente para darte cuenta si hay grandes cambios que salen de tu corazón.

 

 

QUINTO DIA                                                   LEE SALMO 92:2-3, 13-16

                                                                          (“El justo crecerá como palmera.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 92:2-3, 13-16.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor por medio de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA                                                 LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO 

                                                                                 ECLESIASTICO 27:4-7 

En la lectura de hoy podemos ver el poder tanto positivo como negativo de la palabra hablada. Muchas veces las Escrituras nos han mostrado como palabras dichas de modo irresponsable han afectado la vida espiritual de alguien. Es muy importante que recordemos siempre que lo que decimos y lo que no decimos puede tener un enorme poder en diversas situaciones.

Hablar adecuadamente no es solo decir las palabras correctas en el momento correcto, es controlar nuestro deseo de decir algo que no es necesario decir o algo que no debemos decir de ningún modo. Desafortunadamente, los ejemplos de usar la lengua de modo impropio son muchos, como por ejemplo, al chismear, al humillar a otros, al alardear, manipular, enseñar falsedades, exagerar, quejarse, adular y mentir. Antes de hablar debemos preguntarnos a nosotros mismos: ¿es esto verdad?, ¿es necesario?, ¿es bénefico?.

Les enseñamos a los demás de que estamos hechos realmente y que es lo que hay en nuestro corazón con el modo en que hablamos. Las Escrituras nos dicen que el daño que la lengua puede causar al ser humano se puede comparar con el furioso fuego del bosque. La maldad de la lengua tiene su origen en el mismo infierno. Satanás se vale de las palabras de una persona para dividir a la gente y enemistarlos unos contra otros. Una conversación llevada a cabo con alegría y veracidad será una conversación de gente alegre y verdaderamente libre. Una persona no quiere ser adulada y no necesita ser alabada por sus actos, una persona quiere ser respetada y ser el producto de un Dios amoroso, de una familia y de una sociedad. Y solo puede ser así cuando le pregunta a Dios que quiere de él o élla en vez de ver que es lo que Dios tiene para él o élla.

Recuerda, unas cuantas palabras dichas con enojo pueden destruir una relación que tomó años para ser construida. Recuerda estamos luchando con nuestra propia fuerza y poder. El Espíritu Santo nos dará mas poder para manejar y controlar lo que decimos. Como cristianos no somos perfectos; pero no debemos dejar de crecer, y eso significa hacer que nuestra palabra revele el amor de Dios que se derrama de nuestro corazón.

 

1 CORINTIOS 15:54-58

En el pasaje de hoy, Pablo va desarrollando la idea de que el hombre siempre necesita ser cambiado para entrar en un grado de vida. Insiste en que antes de que podamos entrar en el reino de Dios debemos ser cambiados. Creer en Cristo es no temer a ningún cambio, incluyendo el que más obsesiona al hombre – la muerte. La mayoría de la gente teme a la muerte por que le es desconocida. Pero para el hombre viene más por el sentido del pecado. Este sentido del pecado viene por estar bajo la ley y eso es exactamente el por qué de la venida de Jesús.

Jesús vino a decirnos que Dios no es la ley, sino el amor y que el centro del ser de Dios no es el legalismo, sino la gracia. Cuando morimos vamos no hacía un juez sino hacía un padre que espera que sus hijos vengan a casa. Debido a eso, Jesús nos dió la victoria sobre la muerte y el temerla se aleja con la maravilla del amor de Dios. El verdadero amor echa fuera el temor, pues este se relaciona con el castigo. (1 Juan 4:18). La muerte ya no es fuente de temor porque Cristo la venció y un día nosotros también lo haremos.

Pablo nos dice que a causa de la resurrección nosotros debemos estar listos y alertas y notar que nada de lo que hacemos se desperdicie. Algunas veces dudamos de dar un paso adelante y hacer algo hermoso por Dios porque no pensamos que es de grán importancia o porque probablemente no veremos el resultado de nuestros esfuerzos. Debemos recordar que todo lo que hacemos por Dios es importante y el efecto durará hasta la vida eterna. Has lo bueno que tengas oportunidad de hacer sabiendo que tu trabajo tendrá resultados a largo plazo.

Pablo nos ha dicho enfáticamente algo que necesitamos oir mucho hoy en día. Dios ha ganado su victoria sobre la muerte y el pecado por que fueron derrotados por Cristo. Mediante Su resurrección, Cristo nos ha mostrado que, el pecado y la muerte no tienen la última palabra y que únicamente guían hacía la vida. Les recuerda a los Corintios de entonces y nos recuerda a nosotros hoy que, “nuestra labor no es en vano.” (1 Corintios 15:58)

 

LUCAS 6:39-45 

El Evangelio de hoy nos habla acerca de criticar a otros. A traves de los tiempos, no importando que tipo de situación haya existido, casi todos están de acuerdo en que si criticamos en vez de compadecernos de los demás, seremos a nuestra vez criticados. Si tratas a otros con generosidad, amable y compadecidamente, esas cualidades volverán a ti en toda su extensión.

Estamos llamados a amar a los demás, no a juzgarlos. Jesús le está diciendo a la gente que se aseguren de seguir a los verdaderos maestros y líderes. Les dice a ellos y nos dice a nosotros, que busquemos líderes que nos demuestren lo que es la fe tanto como que nos enseñen lo que la fe es. Jesús hace hincapié en que no debemos poner tanta atención a lo que la gente hace mal y pasar por alto nuestro propio camino espiritual hacía Dios. Nos anima a buscar la guía de aquellos que aman de acuerdo con Su Santa Palabra y las enseñanzas de Su iglesia. Jesús no quiere decir que ignoremos lo que esté mal hecho, sino que no juzguemos tanto a los demás y empezemos a volvernos como aquellos que perteneciendo a Dios parece que estuvieran congelados, en vez de ser como aquellos que El ha escogido.

Constantemente racionalizamos nuestros pecados señalando nuestros mismos errores en otros. Entendámos el término “hipócrita” y démonos cuenta que por estos fue exactamente por los que Cristo vino y murió. Mucha gente no va a la iglesia porque ahí es donde van los hipócritas el domingo. Bien, si es así, ciertamente también vas a encontrar a Jesús ahí. El vino para los enfermos y todos los pecadores están enfermos. Jesús será el primero en decirte que lo que El quiere es que Su iglesia sea un hospital para los pecadores no un cielo para los santos. Recuerda, ser débil en la fe no es hipocresia, hipocresia es pensar que estas espiritualmente más cerca de Dios que otros.

Lo que haya en nuestros corazones saldrá a la vista por medio de lo que digamos y de nuestra conducta.

 

Aplicación

                 La primera lectura nos muestra que cuando nuestras palabras estan motivadas por Dios estan llenas de misericordia. La segunda lectura revela que Dios no es la ley, Dios es el amor. El Evangelio nos dice que la iglesia es un hospital para pecadores, no un cielo para santos.

Esta semana, deja que tu familia y amigos vean tu corazón mediante el modo en que hables y actues. Una palabra amorosa que digas puede afirmar, elevar y fortalecer el espiritu roto de casi cualquier persona. Es muy importante que escuches a la gente que te rodea y que le pidas al Señor que te haga saber que es lo que necesitas para corregirte. Deja que tu familia y amigos se den bien cuenta de lo que ven en tí y lo que verán será todo del Señor.

Lectio Divina – 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time (March 3rd) – Cycle C

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so Your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

Scripture: Luke 6:39-45   39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your  brother’s eye. 43 For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the  abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

 

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (March 3rd) – CYCLE C

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

“THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.” (JOHN 14:26)

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

  1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

 

  1. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

 

 

SECOND DAY                                                       READ SIRACH 27:4-7                                                 FIRST READING

(“…a man’s speech discloses the bent of his mind.”)

  1. What happens when you shake a sieve, and when does a man’s faults appear?   Sirach 27:4

 

  1. From what do we pray to be cleansed, and with what do we ask the Lord to find favor? Psalm 19:13, 15

 

  1. As the test of what the potter molds is in the furnace, where is the test of the man?   Sirach 27:5

 

  1. Who has the king for his friend?   Proverbs 22:11

 

  1. What does the fruit of the tree show, and what does a man’s speech disclose?   Sirach 27:6

 

  1. What is the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23

 

  1. How is a tree known, what does the mouth speak from, and what will happen on the day of judgment? Matthew 12:33-37

 

  1. What should you not do before a man speaks, and for what reason? Sirach 27:7

 

  1. What defiles a person?   Matthew 15:11
  2. How are you to set an example for those who believe? 1 Timothy 4:12

 

Personal – Look at yesterday and evaluate your speech. What effect did your speech have on those around you? How can you improve your speech?

 

 

THIRD DAY                                               READ 1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-58                                 SECOND READING

(“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.”)

  1. With what will this which is corruptible, and mortal clothe itself? 1 Corinthians 15:54

 

  1. In what do the children share, and what did Jesus’ death destroy? Hebrews 2:14-15

 

  1. What words of scripture have come true? 1 Cor. 15:54-55

 

  1. What is the sting of death and what is the power of sin? 1 Corinthians 15:56

 

  1. What does the law produce and where there is no law what happens?  Romans 4:15

 

  1. How did you come to know sin, and how did you know what it means to covet?   Romans 7:7

 

  1. For what are we to be thankful to God? 1 Corinthians 15:57

 

  1. Where does God always lead us, and what does he manifest through us? 2 Corinthians 2:14

 

  1. How should we be in our work for the Lord, and what are we to know? 1 Corinthians 15:58

 

  1. What will not happen to those blessed by the Lord? Isaiah 65:23

 

Personal – How have you experienced death and victory in your life? What does the phrase “to work for the Lord” mean to you?

 

 

FOURTH DAY                                                        READ LUKE 6:39-45                                                                   GOSPEL

(“…for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”)

  1. What did Jesus tell the people, what did he say about a blind person, and to whom is a disciple not superior? Luke 6:39-40

 

  1. Who will a disciple be like when fully trained? Luke 6:40

 

  1. What did Jesus say after he washed the feet of his disciples? John 13:15-16

 

  1. What do you notice in your brother’s eye, and what do you not notice in your eye? What can you not say to your brother? Luke 6:41-42

 

  1. What did Jesus call them, and what did he tell them to do? Luke 6:42

 

  1. What do the hypocrites do with their lips, and where are their hearts? Matthew 15:7-8

 

Personal – In what areas have you been correcting or trying to help others? Examine yourself in that same area and see whether you need to remove the plank from your eye.

 

  1. What does a good tree not bear, and what does a rotten tree bear?   Luke 6:43

 

  1. How is every tree known and what do people not do? Luke 6:44

 

  1. What does a good person produce, and from where does it come? What does an evil person produce, and from where does it come? Luke 6:45

 

  1. From what does the mouth speak?   Luke 6:45

 

  1. What are you to guard and for what reason? What are you to put away?   Proverbs 4:23-24

 

Personal – Memorize Psalm 141:3. Use this psalm on a daily basis to see whether you have some great changes come from within your heart.

 

 

FIFTH DAY                                                READ PSALM 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16

(“The just man shall flourish like the palm tree.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16.

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY                                             READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

SIRACH 27:4-7

In today’s reading we can see both the negative and positive power of the spoken word. Many times, Scripture has shown us how irresponsible words of speech have affected the spiritual lives of many. It is very important for us to always remember that what we say and what we do not say can have enormous power in many situations.

Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time but controlling our desire to say what is not needed to be said and something we should not have said at all. Unfortunately, examples of wrongly using the tongue are several, such as gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teachings, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying. Before we speak, we need to ask ourselves: is it true, is it necessary, and is it kind?

We show others what we are really made of and what is in our hearts by the way we speak. Scripture tells us that the damage the tongue can do to the human being is like comparing the tongue to a raging forest fire. The tongue’s wickedness has its source in hell itself. Satan uses a person’s speech to divide people and pit them against one another. A conversation that deals with joy and truth will be a conversation between joyful and truly free people. A person does not want to be flattered and does not need to be praised for his deeds either. A person wants to be respected and to be a product of a loving God, family and society. He can only be this when he asks what God wants of him, rather than what does God have for him.

Remember, a few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Remember, we are fighting in our own power and strength. The Holy Spirit will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say. As Christians, we are not perfect; but we should never stop growing, and this means letting our speech disclose the love of God that overflows our hearts.

 

 

1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-58

In today’s passage, Paul is developing the idea that a man always needs to be changed to enter into a higher level of life. He insists that before we can enter the kingdom of God we must be changed. To believe in Christ is to not fear any change, including the one that haunts most men – death. Most people fear death because it is unknown to them. But to man, it comes to many, many more from the sense of sin. The sense of sin comes from being under the law, and that is exactly why Jesus came.

Jesus came to tell us that God is not law, but love, and that the center of God’s being is not legalism, but grace. When we die, we go out, not to a judge, but to a father who awaits his children coming home. Because of that, Jesus gave us the victory over death, and its fear is driven out in the wonder of God’s love. True love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment (1 John 4:18). Death is no longer a source of fear, because Christ overcame it, and one day we will overcome it too.

Paul tells us that because of the resurrection we are to be ready and alert and see that nothing we do is wasted. Sometimes we hesitate to step out and do something beautiful for God because we do not think it is important enough or because we probably will not see any results of our efforts. We need to remember that everything we do for God is important, and the effect will last into eternal life. Do the good that you have the opportunity to do, knowing that your work will have long-term results.

Paul has told us very strongly something that we all need to hear very much today. God has won his victory over death and sin because they were defeated by Christ. By his resurrection, Christ has shown us that death and sin are not the last word, but only lead to life. He reminded the Corinthians then, and he reminds us today, that our “labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

 

LUKE 6:39-45

Today’s Gospel speaks to us about criticizing others. All through the ages, no matter what type of situation may have been present, almost everyone would agree that if you are critical, rather than compassionate, you will also receive criticism. If you treat others generously, gracefully, and compassionately, these qualities will come back to you in full measure.

We are called to love others, not to judge them. Jesus is telling the people to make sure that they are following the right teachers and leaders. He tells them, and us, to look for leaders who will show us what faith is as well as teach us what faith is. Jesus strongly states that we should not be so intent on watching what the other person is doing wrong and overlook our own spiritual walk with God. He encourages us to look for guidance from those who love in accordance with his Holy Word and teachings of his church. Jesus does not mean we should ignore wrong doings, but we are not to become so critical of others that we begin to become one of God’s frozen people instead of one of his chosen people.

We often rationalize our own sins by pointing out the same mistakes in others. We need to be able to address the term “hypocrite” and realize that the “hypocrite” is exactly the ones for whom Christ came and died. Many people do not go to church because that is where the hypocrites go on Sunday. Well, if that is where the hypocrites are, then you will certainly find Jesus there too. He came for the sick, and all sinners are sick. Jesus would be the first one to tell you that he wants his church to be a hospital for sinners and not just a haven for saints. Remember, it is not hypocrisy to be weak in faith, but it is hypocrisy to think that we are spiritually closer to God than someone else. What is in our hearts will come out in our speech and behavior.

 

Application

The first reading shows us that when our speech is motivated by God, it is full of mercy. The second reading reveals that God is not the law, but God is love. The Gospel tells us the church is a hospital for sinners, not just a haven for saints.

This week let your heart be revealed to your family and friends by what you speak and how you act. A loving word by you can affirm, build up, strengthen and open a broken spirit in almost everyone. It is very important for you to listen to the people around you and ask the Lord to discern what you need to do to correct your decision. Let your family and friends really get what they see in you, and their vision be all that is of the Lord.

SEPTIMO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO (Feb. 24th) – CICLO C

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR: 

Ora y pídele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.” (JUAN 14:26)

 

PRIMER DIA                    Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada. 

  1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilía o de las lecturas que oíste en misa el domingo?

 

  1. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA                                        1 SAMUEL 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23                   PRIMERA LECTURA 

(“El Señor devolverá a cada uno según sus méritos y fidelidad.”)

  1. ¿Por qué fue Saúl al desierto de Zif? ¿Quién fue con él? 1 Samuel 26:2

 

  1. ¿Cuándo y a dónde fueron David y Abisay? ¿A quién hallaron durmiendo y cómo lo encontraron?   1 Samuel 26:7

 

  1. ¿Quién te rodea?   Salmo 125:2

 

  1. ¿Qué le dijo Abisay a David?   1 Samuel 26:8

 

  1. ¿Quién cayó sobre Saúl? ¿Que hizo este a David? 1 Samuel 18:10-11

 

  1. ¿Qué le dijo David a Abisay acerca del ungido del Señor? 1 Samuel 26:9

 

  1. ¿Qué te hace a tí Su Unción?   1 Juan 2:27

 

  1. ¿Qué hizo David? ¿Qué hizo el Señor a los que dormían y a dónde fue David? 1 Samuel 26:12-13

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo David sobre la lanza del rey? ¿Y qué, acerca de cómo el Señor los premiaría?    1 Samuel 26:22-23

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que el Señor ama? ¿Cómo es lo que El hace? Salmo 33:5 y Salmo 111:7

 

Personal – ¿Cómo te ha ayudado en los tiempos de tentación la Unción que recibiste en tu bautizmo?

 

 

TERCER DIA                                                     1 CORINTIOS 15:45-49                            SEGUNDA LECTURA 

(“…también llevaremos la semejanza del hombre celestial.”)

  1. ¿Qué se ha escrito acerca del primer y del último Adán? 1 Corintios 15:45

 

  1. ¿Cómo llegó a ser un ser vivo el Primer Adán? ¿Quién dá la vida a quienquiera que El deseé dársela? Génesis 2:7 y Juan 5:21

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que no fue primero?   1 Corintios 15:46

 

  1. ¿Cómo es nuestro cuerpo sembrado y resucitado? 1 Corintios 15:44

 

  1. ¿De dónde fue sacado el primer hombre y de dónde el segundo? 1 Corintios 15:47

 

  1. ¿Quién es el que vino del cielo?   Juan 3:13

 

  1. ¿Quien es el terrenal y quién el celestial? 1 Cor 15:48

 

  1. ¿Qué hace a nuestro cuerpo el Señor Jesús? Filipenses 3:21

 

  1. ¿Así cómo hemos nacido con la imágen terrenal, cuál otra imagen también tendremos?    1 Cor 15:49 y Romanos 8:29

 

  1. ¿Cómo llevas la imagen del celestial?   Efesios 5:1-2

 

Personal – ¿De qué modo te ves a tí mismo cambiado de ser un ser terrenal a uno celestial? ¿Qué cambios particulares han tenido lugar en tí?

 

 

CUARTO DIA                                                             LUCAS 6:27-38                                                      EVANGELIO

                                              (“Sean compasivos, así cómo es compasivo el Padre de Ustedes.”)

  1. ¿A quién dijo Jesús que debemos amar y con quién debemos ser buenos?   Lucas 6:27

 

  1. ¿A quién debemos bendecir y por quién debemos rogar? Lucas 6:28

 

  1. ¿Qué se dijo antes y qué dice Jesús ahora?   Mateo 5:43-44

 

  1. ¿Qué debes hacer cuando alguien te golpea en la mejilla derecha, toma tu manto y te pide algo?  Lucas 6:29-30

 

Personal – ¿Cuando alguien te hiere, cómo respondes?

 

  1. ¿Cómo debemos tratar a los demás? ¿A quién aman y hacen el bien aún los que son pecadores?   Lucas 6:31-33

 

  1. ¿Qué estás llamado a alcanzar?   1 Pedro 3:9

 

  1. ¿Cómo debes prestar el dinero, cuál será tu recompensa y cómo serás llamado? Lucas 6:34-35

 

  1. ¿Quién es amable con los ingratos y los pecadores? ¿Por qué debemos ser compasivos? Lucas 6:35-36

 

Personal – ¿Puedes enlistar las cosas que regalaste la semana pasada y que sabías que no ibas a tener retribución por éllas?

 

  1. ¿Qué pasará si dejas de juzgar y condenar y si perdonas? Lucas 6:37

 

  1. ¿Cuál virtud triunfa sobre el juicio?   Santiago 2:13

 

  1. ¿Si das qué se te dará? ¿Cómo serás medido?   Lucas 6:38

 

Personal – ¿Qué dones has recibido al haber dado algo? ¿De qué modo has juzgado a otros? ¿Qué necesitas hacer para reparar el daño?

 

 

QUINTO DIA                                         LEE EL SALMO 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13 

(“El perdona tus pecados y sana tus dolencias.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor por medio de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA                                                 LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO 

                                                                       1 SAMUEL 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 

La lectura de hoy revela la conciencia de David. David sabía que Saúl lo estaba cazando para poder matarlo. El llegó al rey Saúl sorpresivamente y a pesar de que era un guerrero profesional sabía que Saúl había sido escogido por Dios y que no tenía el derecho de matarlo.

David escribió el Salmo 51 y en el nos dá una idea de como era su verdadero carácter. El sabía que Dios quiere un corazón arrepentido y sabía que podía sufrir miserablemente por la culpa de matar a Saúl. David y su ayudante demostraron grán valor y vemos como David muestra una disciplina de control sobre sí mismo que no permite que su ayudante mate al rey Saúl. Este último respetaba la lealtad de David hacía la autoridad y se convirtió en uno de los más leales y poderosos guerreros de la armada de David. David estaba determinado a seguir a Dios y eso lo llevó a tomar la decisión de no asesinar al rey ungido de Dios.

Hoy hay una grán pérdida de respeto a la autoridad en nuestas tierras pues se ha perdido la reverencia y el miedo a Dios mismo. Vemos aún hoy en día que las decisiones morales más fuertes que hacemos son las que tomamos antes de que la tentación nos ataque. ¿Como quién has sido tú en esas situaciones? ¿Has sido como David o como los hombres de David? Cuando decides seguir a Dios debes darte cuenta de que no debes hacer cosas erróneas para hacer justicia. Aún cuando tus amigos más cercanos te animen a tomar una decisión que parece ser la correcta, debes acordarte primero de cuales son los mandamientos de Dios. David no mató a Saúl debido a que Dios había puesto a Saúl en el poder y el no quería adelantarse al tiempo determinado por Dios. David dejó el destino de Saúl en manos de Dios.

 

1 CORINTIOS 15:45-49 

En la lectura de hoy, Pablo no habla de hechos que se pueden verificar sino de hechos de fe. Tenemos creyentes que todavía preguntan, ¿Con que clase de cuerpo resucita la gente? Pablo nos dice que la semilla es puesta en la tierra, muere y a su tiempo resucita con un cuerpo diferente. Se trata todaíia de la misma semilla pero ha pasado por distintas etapas de desarrollo. En la vida hay desarrollo.

El primer hombre fue hecho del polvo de la tierra (Génesis 2:7), pero Jesús es la encarnación del mismo espíritu de Dios. Compartimos bajo el viejo modo de vida, el pecado de Adán, muriendo como él y teniendo un cuerpo como el suyo. Sin embargo, compartimos bajo la nueva vida con Cristo, Su vida y Su ser. Ahora tenemos un cuerpo físico, pero un día tendrémos un cuerpo espiritual. Nuestro cuerpo presente es corruptible y nuestro cuerpo futúro será incorruptible. Nuestro cuerpo presente es un cuerpo natural y nuestro futúro cuerpo será espiritual. En el futúro el Espíritu Santo será capaz de llenarnos de modo absoluto y entonces seremos capaces de adorar y amar absolutamente a Dios Todopoderoso, lo cual por ahora es únicamente una visión, un sueño envuelto en el misterio de la fé.

Cuando Cristo resucitó de entre los muertos, entró en una nueva forma de existencia. El nuevo y glorificado cuerpo humano de Cristo va de acuerdo con su nueva y glorificada vida. Lo vemos así como vemos que el cuerpo humano de Adán estaba de acuerdo con su vida natural. Cuando nosotros, los que creemos en Jesucristo, muramos, tendremos un nuevo y glorificado cuerpo que Dios nos dará y que estará de acuerdo con la vida eterna.

 

LUCAS 6:27-38

Jesús nos hace saber con mucha precisión en esta lectura que el amor es una decisión y no una emoción sentimental de poca consistencia. Nos dice que cualquiera puede amar a alguien que es fácil de amar o que a su tiempo nos devolverá el amor. Y vá más allá diciendo que aún los paganos aman a sus familias y amigos. Y dice que cualquiera puede amar bajo esas circunstancias. Jesús nos pide algo más que un si sentimental, El nos pide una decisión, una decisión de amar.

Jesús se daba muy bien cuenta de la opresión que sufrían los Judios a mano de los Romanos, pero aún así les dijo que amaran a sus enemigos. Estas enseñanzas y modo de hablar ocasiono que muchos le dieran la espalda. El no estaba hablando de sentimientos sino del uso de la voluntad. Las enseñanzas de Jesús son acerca de actos de amor que en realidad son actos de la voluntad. Nosotros escogemos amar a alguien con nuestra mente. También escogemos perdonar a alguien con nuestra mente.

En el mundo Griego en tiempos de Cristo había tres tipos de amor y eso prevalece aún hoy en día. 1, Eros – el amor natural de un hombre por una mujer; 2, Philo – el amor por un pariente o amigo; y 3, Agape – un amor que solo enaltece a la otra persona sin esperar alguna clase de respuesta. Este amor del tipo Agape es el que Jesús pide y es el tipo de amor que El nos ha brindado.

Jesús murió por todos nosotros sabiendo muy bien que a mucha gente no le importaría en lo más mínimo. Murió por todos nosotros sabiendo que muchos estaban pecando mientras El moría y que habría pecadores mucho tiempo después de que El muriera. El supo de antemano lo que significa amar a los que te odian, te persiguen y aún más, te dan muerte. El no nos pide hacer nada que él no haya hecho y nos dice que nos dará el poder de amar así por medio de Su Espíritu Santo (Hechos 1:8), Su mensaje de hoy es para todo el mundo, así como lo fue entonces, y ese mensaje es “Aménse unos a otros como Yo los he amado.” (Juan 13:34).

 

Aplicación

                 La primera lectura nos dice que el destino de toda la gente está en las manos protectoras de Dios. La segunda lectura explica que nuestro cuerpo presente es un cuerpo natural y que nuestro cuerpo futuro será un cuerpo espiritual. El Evangelio revela que el amor es una decisión no un sentimiento.

Esta semana, has un inventario de tí mismo y ve quien no tiene tu amor. Piensa en los miembros de tu familia, en tus parientes y luego en tus compañeros de trabajo o de escuela. Toma la decisión de amar y de perdonar. Puedes empezar este inventario y toma la decisión arrodillándote y confesando a Dios tus propios pecados. Después escúchalo como El discierne tu inventario y lo pone en el orden adecuado. Pídele al Espíritu Santo que limpie todos los “pensamientos sucios” que haya en tu cabeza y prepárate a decidirte a amar a todos, aun aquellos que son tus enemigos.

Lectio Divina – 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Feb. 24th) – Cycle C

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness, so your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

Luke 6:27-38    27 “But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. 31 And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?