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CUARTO DOMINGO DE CUARESMA (Mar. 10th) – CICLO B 

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EL PAN DE VIDA ESTUDIO DE BIBLIA CATOLICO

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

ANTES DE COMENZAR: 

 

Ora y pidele 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 homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

 

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

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA                           LEE 2 CRONICAS 36:14-17, 19-23                     PRIMERA LECTURA 

  (“…por que teniá compasión de su pueblo y de su Morada.”) 

 

  1. ¿Quiénes multiplicaron sus infidelidades, qué practicaban y qué hicieron a la casa del Señor? 2 Crónicas 36:14 

 

  1. ¿A quién desafían aquéllos que se permiten la promiscuidad sexual y las prácticas no naturales?   Judas 1:7-8 

 

  1. ¿Cúando y por qué razón mandó a sus mensajeros el Señor, Dios de sus padres, a aquellos que estaban manchando el templo? 2 Crónicas 36:15

 

  1. ¿De quién tiene compasión el Señor?   Salmo 103:13

 

  1. ¿Qué hay en el Señor que es grande?   Salmo 51:3

 

Personal – ¿Has percibido la compasión del Señor? ¿Has sido compasivo con los que te rodean? 

 

 

  1. ¿De quién se burlaban y cómo se puso el Señor debido a esto?   2 Crónicas 36:16

 

  1. ¿A quién hizo subir el Señor en su contra?, ¿qué paso con sus jóvenes?, ¿a quiénes entregó Dios en manos del rey? 2 Crónicas 36:17

 

  1. ¿Qué hicieron a la casa de Dios?   2 Crónicas 36:19

 

  1. ¿Qué pasó con los que escaparon a la espada, y en qué se convirtieron?   2 Crónicas 36:20

 

  1. ¿En qué se convierte el que comete pecado? ¿Pero dónde no habrá de quedar para siempre?Juan 8:34-35

 

  1. ¿Qué se cumplió con esto?   2 Crónicas 36:21

 

  1. En el año primero de Ciro, rey de Persia, en cumplimiento de la palabra del Señor dicha por Jeremías, ¿qué le inspiró Dios al rey que debía hacer?  2 Crónicas 36:22-23

 

Personal – ¿Has escuchado la palabra del Señor de alguna manera? ¿Cómo vas a cumplir con ellá? 

 

 

TERCER DIA                                     LEE EFESIOS 2:4-10                              SEGUNDA LECTURA 

(“Por gracia han sido salvados a través de la fe,”) 

 

  1. ¿En qué es rico Dios, y qué nos manifesto?   Efesios 2:4

 

  1. Y cuando estabamos muertos por nuestras faltas ¿Con qué nos dio vida?   Efesios 2:5

 

  1. ¿Cómo nos prueba Dios Su amor por nosotros?   Romanos 5:8

 

  1. ¿Con quién nos ha resucitado, dónde nos ha sentado? Efesios 2:6-7

 

  1. Si Cristo está con nosotros, ¿qué pasa con el cuerpo y qué con el espíritu?   Romanos 8:10

 

  1. ¿Qué pasará con aquél que insulte al Espíritu de la gracia? Hebreos 10:29

 

  1. ¿Por gracia de quién hemos sido salvados? ¿Por medio de qué? ¿Por qué no tenemos ningún mérito?   Efesios 2:8

 

  1. ¿Por qué no debemos sentirnos orgullosos?   Efesios 2:8-9

 

  1. ¿De qué modo el hombre no llega a ser justo? Gálatas 2:16

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que no debemos hacer? ¿De quién debemos estar orgullosos?   1 Corintios 1:29-31

 

  1. ¿Qué somos para Dios, cómo hemos sido creados, que ha dispuesto Dios para que nos ocupemos? Efesios 2:10 

 

  1. ¿Cómo es el que está en Cristo?   2 Corintios 5:17

 

Personal – ¿Cuáles son las buenas obras que Dios ha creado para que tu las lleves a cabo? Efesios 4:11-16 

 

 

CUARTO DIA                                            LEE JUAN 3:14-21                                     EVANGELIO 

(“…todo aquél que crea tenga por El vida eterna.”) 

 

  1. ¿Qué hizo Moisés, a dónde la puso y qué paso con aquéllos que la vieron?   Números 21:9

 

  1. ¿Por qué el Hijo del Hombre debe ser levantado? Juan 3:14-15

 

  1. ¿Qué ama Dios, qué le entrego y cómo puedes llegar a tener vida eterna?   Juan 3:16

 

  1. ¿Cómo se nos ha revelado el amor de Dios?   1 Juan 4:9

 

  1. ¿Para qué no mandó Dios a su Hijo al mundo, y para qué sí lo hizo?   Juan 3:17

 

  1. Si alguien escucha la palabra de Dios y no la obedece, ¿quién lo condena?   Juan 12:47-48

 

  1. ¿Qué debes hacer para no ser condenado?   Juan 3:18

 

  1. ¿A qué ha pasado el que cree en Jesús?   Juan 5:24

 

  1. ¿Cúal es el veredicto?   Juan 3:19

 

    10. ¿Quién dice Jesús que es?   Juan 8:12

 

  1. ¿Qué odia el que obra mal, por qué no viene a ella? Juan 3:20

 

  1. ¿Quiénes son los que se rebelan contra la luz? Job 24:13-17

 

  1. ¿Quién viene a la luz y cómo se verán claramente sus obras?   Juan 3:21

 

  1. ¿Quién es la luz del mundo, por qué brilla esa luz y con qué objeto?   Mateo 5:14, 16

 

Personal – ¿Cómo ven la luz de Cristo que hay en ti los que te rodean? ¿Qué tan seguido la ven? Si no sabes, ve y pregunta a los que están cerca de ti, que es lo que ven en ti. Cualquier cosa que te sea revelada llévasela al Señor por medio de tus oraciones.  

 

 

QUINTO DIA                             LEE SALMO 137:1-6 

(“Si me olvido de ti Jerusalén que mi mano se olvide de servirme.”) 

 

Leé y medita el Salmo 137:1-6. 

 

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo? 

 

 

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria? 

 

 

 

SEXTO DIA                                 LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO 

 

2 CRONICAS 36:14-17, 19-23 

 

Dios advirtió a Judá sobre sus pecados y constantemente ayudaba al pueblo con Sus favores pero lo único que recibía era su desprecio. La gente rehusó escuchar las palabras del profeta Jeremías y llegó el momento en que la situación pecaminosa era tal que ya no había remedio. Esto pasó con la gente que adoraba ídolos paganos de las naciones a su alrededor. La gente de arriba, los líderes, los sumos sacerdotes y muchas personas importantes de Judá albergaron la rebelión en sus corazones y llevaron a la nación a su caída. 

Las mismas actitudes vemos hoy en día en muchas naciones. Parece que hubiera una carrera hacia la destrucción de sí mismos. Los valores tradicionales parecen ser parte de la historia mas que del presente o del futuro. Debemos estar muy pendientes de no albergar el pecado en nuestros corazones y de no volvernos un pueblo rebelde. Reflexionemos en nuestras acciones y recordemos que vendrá el día en que ya no haya remedio y que en vez de recibir la misericordia de Dios tengamos su juicio. La historia nos demuestra constantemente que el pecar repetidamente y el no arrepentirse nunca, invita al desastre. 

Este capítulo cierra con el final del exilio y la promesa de un futuro nuevo para la gente escogida de Dios que todavía quedaba ahí. El templo representaba una gran dedicación a la adoracion que nunca antes había sido vista. Y aun así destruyeron el templo, los reyes se fueron, se llevaron a la gente y la nación fue saqueada hasta sus cimientos. Afortunadamente había una base muy sólida y esa es Dios mismo. 

 

Hoy día cuando parezca que nos han quitado todo, recordemos que tenemos a Dios en Su Santa Palabra, Su presencia, Sus sacramentos y en Su Promesa de que El estará con nosotros para siempre (Mateo 28:20). 

 

EFESIOS 2:4-10 

 

Esta lectura nos revela que no tenemos que vivir mas bajo el poder del pecado. Jesucristo destruyó el castigo y el poder del pecado por medio de Su muerte en la cruz. A través de la fe en Cristo nos encontramos “no culpables” ante Dios. Esto no significa que Dios nos ha apartado del mundo o que nos ha vuelto como robots. Todavía en algunas ocasiones pecamos. Pero ahora la diferencia está en que con el increíble regalo que Cristo nos dio podemos escoger vivir por El o ignorarlo y rechazarlo. Sabemos que así como Cristo resucitó de la muerte, así nuestros cuerpos resucitarán también (1 Corintios 15:12-19). Y ahora se nos ha dado el poder de vivir una vida Cristiana plenamente humana y plenamente fecunda (Efesios 1:19). 

Pablo nos dice que descansemos en Cristo y su gloria, por que aquél que tenga fe en El está unido en Su fuerza victoriosa. Es obvio que este don de la salvación no es un premio por algo bueno que hemos hecho. El hecho es, que es un don dado gratuitamente y nuestra respuesta no es “¿Cuánto te debo?”, la respuesta a Su don es “Gracias.” Mucha gente se siente obligada a trabajar a su modo para llegar a Dios aun cuando saben de este don increíble. El único modo de responder a este don de la salvación y también de la fe es la gratitud, la alabanza y la alegría. Este inmerecido don de Dios se llama “la gracia,” (Efesios 1:8), y no es el resultado de un esfuerzo, habilidad, inteligencia o acto por parte nuestra de servir a otros. Hacemos el bien no para hacernos buenos, sino debido a la bondad que nos llega del Espíritu Santo que vive dentro de nosotros (1 Juan 4:4). Por la gratitud y alegría buscaremos ayudar y servir a otros con amabilidad y amor. Recordemos que no se nos ha salvado únicamente para nuestro propio bien. Debemos glorificar a Cristo y construir Su iglesia (Efesios 4:12). 

 

JUAN 3:14-21 

 

En la lectura de hoy del Evangelio de Juan, Jesús le dice a la gente que cuando los Israelitas vagaban en el desierto, Dios mandó una plaga de serpientes venenosas para castigarlos por sus actitudes rebeldes. Aquellos que fueron destinados a morir de las mordidas de las víboras podrían ser curados si obedecían el mandamiento de Dios de mirar a la serpiente de bronce que estaba en un palo. La serpiente de bronce no curó a nadie, fue la creencia en que Dios podía curarlos la que lo hizo. Esta creencia fue demostrada por su obediencia en cumplir el mandato de Dios. 

Los creyentes hoy día pueden salvarse de la enfermedad del pecado mirando la muerte de Jesús en la cruz. Nos salvaremos de la mordida fatal del pecado mirando a Jesús y creyendo que El nos sanará. Para mucha gente la vida eterna no contiene una gran promesa si lo que se supone es una extensión de la miserable vida mortal de la tierra. Creer en Jesucristo y ganar la vida eterna será una vida donde no hay muerte, enfermedad, enemigos, maldad o pecado. Cuando no conocemos a Cristo tomamos las cosas como si esta vida fuera todo lo que tenemos. En realidad, nosotros creemos que esta vida es únicamente la introducción a la eternidad. 

Comencemos a evaluar todo lo que nos pasa cada día viéndolo con una perspectiva de eternidad. Dios establece el patrón del verdadero amor aquí. Si amamos mucho a alguien estamos dispuestos a dar lo que sea por tener el amor de esa persona. Dios pagó amorosamente con la vida de Su hijo el precio mas alto que pudo haber pagado. Ahora Jesús nos ofrece la vida nueva que compró para nosotros. El pagó el precio de nuestros pecados con Su sangre y su vida. 

Cuando tú y yo compartamos el Evangelio con otros, nuestro amor deberá ser como el de Cristo. Debemos estar dispuestos a hacer de un lado nuestras comodidades y nuestra seguridad para que otros se nos unan y recibamos el amor de Dios. La obscuridad es muy confortable para algunas personas pues no quieren exponer sus vidas a la luz de Cristo. Tienen miedo de lo que pueda revelar acerca de ellos mismos. A lo mejor se les pide cambiar y ellos no quieren hacerlo. No permitas a otros que te intimiden en tu deseo de obedecer a Dios y hacer lo que es correcto, ellos tienen miedo de que tú vas a exponer algo de lo obscuro que hay en sus vidas. Mantente orando para que ellos vean que tanto mejor es vivir en la luz que en la obscuridad. Se nos ha prometido vida eterna si creemos en El (Juan 3:16). Acepta su promesa. El es un Dios que realmente nos rescata. 

 

Aplicación  

La primera lectura nos muestra que Dios renueva a los que se arrepienten. La segunda lectura nos dice que no tenemos por que vivir mas bajo el poder del pecado. El Evangelio promete vida eterna si creemos en Cristo. 

Esta semana muéstrale a otros como la luz y el amor de Cristo brilla a través de ti. Con tus acciones muestra tu amabilidad y gentileza a los miembros de tu familia, compañeros de escuela o de trabajo. Fíjate bien y escoje a una persona diariamente y permite que la Luz y el Amor de Dios ilumine tu vida siendo amable y paciente. Sé generoso y humilde, no celoso ni rudo. Practícalo por una semana e iluminarás a toda tu familia, escuela y trabajo. Deja que brille tu luz, deja que brille tu luz. 

 

TERCER DOMINGO DE CUARESMA (Mar. 3rd) – CICLO B 

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EL PAN DE VIDA ESTUDIO DE BIBLIA CATOLICO

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

ANTES DE COMENZAR: 

 

Ora y pidele 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 homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

 

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

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA                            LEE EXODO 20:1-17                              PRIMERA LECTURA 

 

(“Yo soy el Señor tu Dios.”) 

 

  1. ¿A quién liberó El Señor? ¿De dónde los sacó y de dónde les habló?  Exodo 20:1 y Nehemías 9:13

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo El Señor que tu no debes tener, qué es lo que no debes tallar y qué clase de Dios es El? Exodo 20:3-5 

 

  1. ¿Qué moldea un artesano?   Isaías 40:19

 

  1. ¿Qué hacen la sapiencia y el amor, y qué es lo que sabemos acerca de los ídolos y de Dios? 1 Corintios 8:1-6 

 

  1. ¿Qué concederá Dios hasta la milésima generación, y a quiénes ha de conceder ésto?   Exodo 20:6

 

  1. ¿A quiénes mostrará misericordia?   Mateo 5:7

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que tu no debes hacer al nombre de Dios y a quiénes no dejará sin castigar El Señor? Exodo 20:7 

 

  1. ¿Qué día debes recordar de mantener santificado y qué es lo que no debes hacer ese día? ¿Qué hizo El Señor en el séptimo día?   Exodo 20:8-11

 

  1. ¿A quiénes debes honrar y honrando a éstos qué es lo que podrás obtener?   Exodo 20:12

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que tu no debes hacer, según se ve en Exodo 20:13-17?

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús al hombre que necesitaba para poder heredar la vida eterna?   Marcos 10:17-22

 

  1. ¿Qué vino a hacer Jesús?   Mateo 5:17

 

Personal – ¿Cuál de los mandamientos tienes dificultad en seguir? ¿Qué puedes hacer para cambiar esa área de dificultad? 

 

 

TERCER DIA                                        LEE 1 CORINTIOS 1:22-25                             SEGUNDA LECTURA 

 

(“Cristo es el poder de Dios y la sabiduría de Dios.”) 

 

  1. ¿Qué demandan los judíos y qué buscan los griegos? 1 Corintios 1:22

 

  1. ¿Cuál fue el principio de las señales de Jesús en Caná? ¿Qué reveló eso y qué comenzaron a hacer sus discípulos? Juan 2:7-9, 11

 

  1. ¿En qué crecía Jesús?   Lucas 2:52

 

  1. ¿Qué viene con la soberbia y qué convive con los humildes? Proverbios 11:2

 

  1. ¿Cuál es el principio de la sabiduría?   Proverbios 9:10

 

  1. ¿Qué proclama Pablo y qué es esto para los judíos y gentiles?   1 Corintios 1:23

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Simeón a María acerca de Jesús?   Lucas 2:34

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Pablo acerca del mensaje de la cruz? 1 Corintios 1:18

 

  1. Para aquellos que son llamados, ¿qué es Cristo? 1 Corintios 1:24

 

  1. ¿Cómo es la locura de Dios y la debilidad de Dios? 1 Corintios 1:25

 

  1. ¿Porqué fue crucificado Jesús? ¿Cómo vive El y como vivimos nosotros con El?   2 Corintios 13:4 

 

Personal – ¿Cómo proclamas a Cristo crucificado a tu familia, amigos, colaboradores, y compañeros? ¿Puede haber obstáculos para ti o otros en proclamar a Cristo crucificado? 

 

 

 

CUARTO DIA                                    LEE JUAN 2:13-25                                EVANGELIO 

 

(“…El estaba hablando acerca del templo de su cuerpo.”) 

 

  1. Ya que la Pascua de los Hebreos estaba acercándose, ¿adónde fue Jesús? ¿A quiénes encontró Jesús sentados en el templo y qué estaban haciendo ellos?   Juan 2:13-14

 

  1. ¿Qué hizo Jesús y cómo lo usó? ¿y qué hizo con las monedas y las mesas?   Juan 2:15

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús a los que vendían las palomas? Juan 2:16

 

  1. ¿De qué se acordaron Sus discípulos? Y ante esto, ¿qué le dijeron los judíos?   Juan 2:17-18

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús acerca del templo?   Juan 2:19

 

  1. ¿Cuánto tiempo dijeron los judíos que el templo había estado en construcción?   Juan 2:20

 

  1. ¿De qué estaba hablando Jesús?   Juan 2:21

 

  1. ¿Qué es su cuerpo? ¿Quién tiene morada dentro de ti y qué debes hacer con su cuerpo? 1 Corintios 6:19-20 

 

  1. ¿Qué les sucedió a los discípulos cuando Jesús resucitó de entre los muertos, y en qué dos cosas llegaron a creer? Juan 2:22

 

  1. ¿Quién nos recuerda todas las cosas que Jesús dice? Juan 14:26

 

  1. ¿Qué hizo que muchos comenzaran a creer en Su nombre? Juan 2:23

 

  1. ¿Porqué Jesús no se fiaba de ellos y qué sabía bien? Juan 2:24-25

 

  1. ¿Cómo podría la cruz de Cristo desvirtuarse de su significado?   1 Corintios 1:17

 

  1. ¿A quién eligió Dios de este mundo y qué llegó a ser Jesús para nosotros?   1 Corintios 1:27, 29-31

 

Personal – ¿Cómo puede ser el ganar y hacer dinero un obstáculo para tu templo (tu cuerpo)? 

  

 

 

QUINTO DIA                                 LEE SALMO 19:8-11 

 

(“La ley del Señor es perfecta,”) 

 

Leé y medita el Salmo 19:8-11 

 

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo? 

 

 

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria? 

 

 

 

SEXTO DIA                                    LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO 

 

EXODO 20:1-17 

 

La lectura de hoy nos trae la ley que fue designada para conducir a Israel a una vida de santidad práctica. La intención de los Diez Mandamientos era la de dirigir a la comunidad para satisfacer las necesidades de cada persona en una manera cariñosa y responsable. Los israelitas apenas habían llegado de Egipto, una tierra de muchos ídolos y dioses. Era muy común el adorar muchos dioses para poder tener una vida colmada. Cuando Dios dijo a Su pueblo de adorar a El, la gente creyó que El era solo un dios mas para agregar a la lista. Y cuando El dijo “No adorarás a otros dioses después de mi” fue duro para la gente el aceptarlo. Dios hizo este Su primer mandamiento y lo puso enfáticamente por sobre todos los otros mandamientos. 

Para cuando Jesús llegó, la mayoría de la gente interpretaba la ley de manera equivocada. Veían a ésta como un medio de salvación. Pero Dios muestra que la ley es un plan por excelencia para vivir, no un metodo de salvación. Necesitamos solo mirar alrededor nuestro y podemos ver que mucha gente hoy deja que ciertos valores se conviertan en dioses para ellos. Buena salud, dinero, fama, trabajo o placeres pueden convertirse en dioses cuando nos concentramos demasiado en ellos como significado y seguridad en nuestras vidas. 

 

Nadie realmente se dedica a venerar estas cosas, pero, la cantidad de tiempo y energía que estas cosas ocupan en la vida de la gente, las deja crecer como dioses que al fin llegan a controlar nuestros pensamientos y energías. La única manera de hacer que esos ídolos y falsos dioses no nos dominen es que Dios sea el que tome el lugar central en nuestras vidas. El nombre de Dios es especial porque lleva consigo Su identidad personal. El modo como nosotros usamos Su nombre revela la forma como realmente nos sentimos hacia El. Mentir es un atentado a engañar. Dios nos pone en guardia contra esta clase de decepción. Aún cuando la decepción es un estilo de vida para mucha gente, nosotros debemos resistirla. Sólo Dios puede proveer todas nuestras necesidades (Filip. 4:19) y necesitamos solamente ir a El en oración (Filip. 4:6-8) para encontrar la paz que va mas allá de todo entendimiento. 

 

1 CORINTIOS 1:22-25 

 

Pablo nos dice que mucha gente en Corintio pensaba que las Buenas Nuevas de Jesús eran tonterías porque a ellos les habían enseñado que el Mesías sería un héroe conquistador, no un sufrido sirviente. Jesús no restituyó el trono de David como ellos esperaban. Habiendo sido ejecutado como un criminal común, ciertamente no ayudaba a aquéllos en Corintio a mirar a Jesús como Su Salvador. Los griegos pensaban que el Evangelio era tontería porque ellos no creían en la resurreción del cuerpo. Los griegos no veían en Jesucristo la fortaleza de sus dioses mitológicos y tampoco pensaron que ninguna persona respetable sería crucificada. Para los griegos la muerte era derrota, no victoria. 

Hoy las Buenas Nuevas de Jesucristo todavía suenan a tontería para algunas personas. Nuestra sociedad reverencia la juventud, la influencia, la riqueza, el poder y la salud. Jesús vino como un simple, pobre sirviente. (Filip 2:2-11). Jesús ofrece Su reino a aquellos con fe, no con talento, dinero o poder. Para el mundo, este método parece ser al contrario, pero es la vía que Dios eligió para salvarlo. 

Pablo predicó sobre el Cristo crucificado y su mensaje fue el de la cruz. Enseñó que Jesús se despojó y obedientemente fue a su muerte en la cruz. (Filip. 2:2-11). Somos llamados a hacer eso y no menos. Somos llamados a diferir los unos a los otros y morir a nuestros propios deseos y necesidades. Vivimos en un mundo que glorifica el propio yo y trata desesperadamente ignorar los derechos y necesidades de los desalentados, abandonados y oprimidos. Somos mas fuertes cuando hacemos frente a las necesidades de los mas débiles. La Madre Teresa nos muestra que somos mas ricos cuando satisfacemos las necesidades de los mas pobres entre los pobres. Jesús mismos nos dice que cuando servimos a otros lo servimos a El. (Mateo 25:31-46). 

 

JUAN 2:13-25 

 

La celebración de La Pascua tomaba lugar anualmente en el templo de Jerusalén. Se esperaba que todos los varones judíos hicieran un peregrinaje a Jerusalén durante este tiempo. Jerusalen era a la vez el asiento político y religioso de Palestina, y era el lugar donde el esperado Mesías debía llegar. El templo, en la lectura de hoy, fue construído en el mismo sitio de aquél construído por Salomón, mas de mil años antes. (1 Reyes 6).  

El impuesto del templo debía pagarse en la moneda local, por lo tanto, había la necesidad de tener cambistas. Se hacían ganancias y el interés alto era muy común entre los cambistas. La gente necesitaba hacer sacrificios propiciatorios por lo que también vendían animales. El precio de estos para sacrificio eran mucho mas caros en el templo que en otras partes. Jesús se enfureció por la deshonestidad y codicia de los cambistas y mercaderes. Su presencia era una burla al templo, el lugar de veneración a Dios, no un mercado. 

Nuestra actitud es equivocada si vamos al templo a causa de contactos sociales o de negocios. Necesitamos estar seguros de que nuestra actitud refleje nuestro deseo de ir a la iglesia porque es el lugar de veneración a Dios. Hoy, en muchas iglesias, vemos señas de mercado en la forma de apuestas y venta de loterías. Estos son insultos a Dios y convierten Su casa de oración en mercado. 

Jesús ejerció una justa indignación, no una ira incontrolable. Está bien enojarse por injusticias y pecados y esta mal enojarse sobre pequeñas, triviales ofensas personales. La resurrección de Jesús probaría Su autoridad para echar afuera a los mercantes, sanar, expeler los demonios y perdonar pecados. Somos llamados a hacer de nuestro templo del Espíritu Santo, el cual es nuestro cuerpo (1 Cor 6:19-20), un lugar de vida y sagrado sacrificio. 

 

 

Aplicación 

 

La primera lectura es un llamado a una virtud práctica. La segunda lectura revela al Mesías como un servidor que sufre. El Evangelio nos dice que el propósito de nuestra iglesia es el ser un lugar de devoción. 

Esta semana, busca qué necesitas hacer para que tu familia te vea como a uno que se va transformando en virtuoso. Cuando veas lo que necesitas hacer, ve en el nombre de Jesucristo, a través de Su Espíritu Santo y de acuerdo con la voluntad de Su padre y HAZLO. 

 

Lectio Divina – Palm Sunday (Mar. 24th)

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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 ON THE GOSPEL OF THE DAY

Mark 15:1-39 

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” 

 

 

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do? 

 

 

Share your reflection with someone.

Lectio Divina – 5th Sunday of Lent (Mar. 17th)

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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 

 

John 12:20-33 – Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on the world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this indicating the kind of death he would die. 

 

  1. What is the Lord personally saying to you? 

 

 

 

 

  1. What does the Lord personally want you to do? 

 

 

 

 

Share your reflection with someone.  

Lectio Divina – 4th Sunday of Lent (Mar. 10th)

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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 ON THE GOSPEL OF THE DAY 

John 3:14-21 – Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. 

 

What is the Lord personally saying to you? 

 

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?  

 

 

 

 

Share your reflection with someone.  

Lectio Divina – 3rd Sunday of Lent (Mar. 3rd)

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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 

 

John 2:13-25 – Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of scripture. Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him. “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken. While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well. 

 

  1. What is the Lord personally saying to you? 

 

 

 

 

  1. What does the Lord personally want you to do? 

 

 

 

 

Share your reflection with someone.  

PALM SUNDAY (Mar. 24th) – CYCLE B

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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 ISAIAH 50:4-7        FIRST READING

 

(“The Lord is my help, therefore I am not disgraced.”)

 

  1. From where did the well-trained tongue come? To whom has he given it, and for what reason has he been given a well-trained tongue?  Isaiah 50:4

 

 

  1. When and what does he open, that we may hear? Isaiah 50:4

 

 

  1. What has he not done? Isaiah 50:5

 

 

  1. What happens to those who rebel? 1 Samuel 12:15

 

 

  1. What did the servant do to those who beat him and plucked his beard?  Isaiah 50:6

 

 

  1. From what did he not shield his face? Isaiah 50:6, Matthew 26:67 and 27:30

 

 

  1. Who is the servant’s help, and how has he set his face? Isaiah 50:7

 

  1. What does the servant know? Isaiah 50:7

 

 

Personal – When do you hear the Lord speaking to you?  What is he saying to you?  In what way, by using a well-trained tongue, do you rouse the weary in your own household?  Pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you how you can train your tongue.

 

 

 

THIRD DAY            READ PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11 SECOND READING

 

(“Jesus Christ is Lord.”)

 

  1. What must your attitude be? Philippians 2:5

 

 

  1. Of whom was he in the form? Philippians 2:6

 

 

  1. Who is Christ? John 1:1, 14

 

 

  1. What was something at which he did not grasp? Philippians 2:6

 

 

  1. Rather, of what did he become empty and why? Philippians 2:7, 2 Corinthians 8:9

 

 

  1. Of what did he take the form, and in whose likeness was he born, and of what was he known to be?  Philippians 2:7

 

 

  1. What two things did he do in verse 8 of Philippians 2?

 

 

  1. For what reason did he do the above two things? Hebrews 2:14,17

 

 

  1. Because he humbled himself and accepted death on the cross, what two things did God do for him?  Philippians 2:9

 

 

  1. What must every knee do, in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, at the name of Jesus, and what must every tongue proclaim?  Philippians 2:10-11

 

 

  1. What does this tell us beyond a doubt? Acts 2:36

 

 

  1. For whose glory is this proclaimed (Philippians 2:11), and what will happen to us if we confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead?  Romans 10:9

 

 

  1. Who gives us the power to say “Jesus is Lord”? 1 Corinthians 12:3

 

 

Personal – In what way is your attitude that of Christ?  In what way have you humbled yourself?  What cross have you obediently accepted?  Read Mark 8:34 and meditate on this.

 

 

FOURTH DAY             READ MARK 14:1-15:47 GOSPEL

 

(“Truly this man was the Son of God!”)

 

  1. What feast was to be observed in two days’ time? Who began to look for a way to arrest Jesus, and what was pointed out to them?  Mark 14:1-2

 

 

  1. What did the woman carrying an alabaster jar of expensive perfume do to Jesus? What was the reaction of those present and what did Jesus say about what she did and about her? Mark 14:3-9

 

 

  1. What did Judas Iscariot do? What was the reaction of the chief priest, what did they offer him, and for what was Judas looking?  Mark 14:10-11

 

 

  1. What did the disciples ask Jesus about the Passover supper? What were his instructions to them, and when they went off and found things just as he told them, what did they do? Mark 14:12-16

 

 

Personal – What do you ask Jesus in prayer regarding prepara­tions for major events such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.?

 

 

  1. As Jesus and the twelve disciples reclined at the table, what did he say to them, what was their reaction, and what did he say about the man who was to betray him? Mark 14:17-21

 

 

  1. During the meal, what did Jesus say and do with the bread and wine? What did he say he would never do again, and after they sang songs of praise, where did they go? Mark 14:22-26

 

 

  1. What did Jesus tell the disciples would happen to their faith?  What did he quote from scripture, where did he tell them he would go after he was raised up?  Mark 14:27-28

 

 

  1. What did Peter say to Jesus, what did Jesus say to him, and what did the others say?  Mark 14:29-31

 

 

  1. With what was Jesus filled in the garden of Gethsemani? What did he tell his disciples to do, what did Jesus say to “Abba” (God the Father)? What kept happening to the disciples, and what did he finally say was about to happen?  Mark 14:32-42

 

 

  1. How had Jesus’ betrayer arranged his arrest? What was the reaction of the disciples after he was arrested, what did Jesus say the arrest at that time fulfilled, and how did one young man that was following Jesus run off? Mark 14:43-52

 

 

Personal – When you become afraid and fear seizes you, how do you respond?  Look back at verses 34-39 and see how Jesus dealt with fear and distress.

 

 

  1. When they led Jesus off to the high priest, where was Peter? What were the Chief Priest and whole Sanhedrin trying to do? As the high priest interrogated him, what did Jesus say, and what did the high priest do and say?  Mark 14:53-63

 

 

  1. What did they all concur in the verdict against Jesus? What did they do to Jesus? And while Peter was down in the courtyard, what happened to him?  Mark 14:64-72

 

 

  1. What did Pilate do to Jesus, and what was Jesus’ response, who was Barabbas, and what did the chief priest incite the crowd to do?   Mark 15:1-15

 

 

Personal – In what way do you see that jealousy and envy cause unjust results?  In what way have you witnessed someone unjustly con­demned through gossip and lying?  Ask the Lord to show you how to respond to this.

 

 

  1. What did the soldiers do to Jesus? Mark 15:16-20

 

 

  1. Who did they press into service to carry his cross, and where did they bring Jesus?  What did they do to him, and what did the people passing by and the chief priest say and do?  Mark 15:21-32

 

 

  1. What happened at noon and at three o’clock that afternoon? What happened to the veil of the sanctuary, and what did the centurion who saw Jesus breathe his last breath say? Mark 15:33-39

 

 

  1. Who were the women looking on from a distance? At evening, what did Joseph of Arimathea courageously do? What was Pilate’s response to Joseph?  What did Joseph do with the body of Jesus and who watched where he laid him? Mark 15:40-47

 

 

Personal – Can you identify with the jeering crowd and the centurion at the cross and how do you relate to them?  What has happened in your life that has revealed that Jesus truly is the Son of God?

 

 

FIFTH DAY             READ PSALM 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24

 

(“They have pierced my hands and my feet.”)

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24.

 

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

 

ISAIAH 50:4-7

 

The source of strength and courage for all suffering, trial and tribulations is the suffering and death of our divine Lord Jesus Christ.  We need to hold fast to Him when the world closes in with its assault, rejection and abandonment.  He not only traveled this same road before the saints of old, but He travels it today constantly waiting to be with us in our suffering.  His suffering and death opened the road to heaven for all of us, even though many refuse the gift.  He gave up everything for us, and He gave us love, trust, hope, respect, and eternal life.  In return, He got spat upon, ridiculed, beaten, jeered, scourged and mocked.  He finally was executed by being nailed to a cross on Calvary between two lawbreakers.

 

This is a day of reflection, and we are about to enter Holy Week.  Let us not forget the actions and the words of this suffering servant of Isaiah.  We need to reflect how fast the crowd changed from adoring Him to jeering Him.  He took up a cross for us, and we need to remember we, too, are called to carry a cross for someone.  Sometimes we think our cross is too heavy, or that it is unfair to bear such a heavy cross.  How heavy is your cross compared to Christ’s?  How is your Calvary compared to Jesus’ Calvary?

 

PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11

 

Paul tells us that our attitude should be like that of Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:5).  He describes putting on the attitude of a servant rather than that of a king.  Jesus, though being God, did not demand his rights and privileges of royalty.  He deliberately set them all aside and took on the role of a servant.   There lies the incredible formula of a successful leader.  Jesus led by serving all of us.  He showed us that putting others first and being humble are the only ways a person can become a real leader.  The sheep followed the shepherd because they trusted Him.  People will follow a leader if they know that He has their welfare at heart.

 

Jesus showed us every­thing of God’s character in human terms.  He was obedient even unto death, and the type of death He chose for Him was extremely painful.  Jesus is the perfect role model for us in today’s living.  How many times do you demand your rights when you are being treated less than fairly?  The name of Jesus brings to every Christian person the name of a person who willingly died so that all people could be free, and He died for us knowing very well that we were sinners (Romans 5:8).  Jesus voluntarily laid aside His divine rights, privileges, and position out of love for His Father.  We too are called to lay aside our rights and privileges for our oppressed brothers and sisters in the Holy Name of Jesus.

 

MARK 14:1-15:47

 

Today’s Gospel takes us through the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Catholic Church celebrates Palm Sunday at the beginning of Passover week.  There are many contrasts in today’s reading.  We see Jesus being betrayed by Judas, who was one of His original apostles.

 

The week begins with Jesus leaving a home in Bethany where He was guest of honor and going to Jerusalem.  In two weeks, He will have gone through hero-worship to rejection, jeering, incarceration, torture and finally execution on a cross.  The people of Bethany were so impressed with Jesus that they lined the roads when He made His entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.  The people shouted praise to Him and His Holy Name. He was rebuked by Judas for letting a woman waste expensive perfume on Him­, but Jesus told Judas and some of the other apostles that she did no wrong.  In fact, her worship of Jesus included sacrif­icing something of great value.

 

The disciples really did not understand Jesus’ role.  They thought He was going to bring the Israelites a powerful new kingdom and overthrow Rome.  Jesus showed in His praise of the woman that His kingdom was not physical or political, but spiritual.  Judas then turned to the Pharisees and betrayed Christ for money and favors from some religious leaders.  Jesus saw this and continued on to His appointed time to glorify His Father.  Judas did not see Jesus with spiritual vision, he only saw the chance to be powerful.

 

Today many of us look at Judas with shock and outrage.  Yet we deny Christ when we do not obey His commands.  We are the same people who sing songs of praise to Him on Sundays, and we sin in darkness during the week.  We need to ask ourselves a very violent question.  Do our beliefs match our actions?  Jesus’ death and resurrection freed us from being another Judas.  Judas had the same chance but he chose to refuse.  Let us not turn our backs on Christ, rather let us turn to Him in repentance.  Judas chose the world of greed, deceit, lying, and manipulation; and he died in despair and violence.  We do not have to choose that path because Christ has freed us from sin by His death and resurrection. We can choose the path of love, honor, and respectability because Christ’s Holy Spirit lives within each and every one of us (1 John 4:4).

 

Application

 

The first reading tells us that the source of strength for all of our suffering, trials, and tribulation is the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The second reading tells us that our attitude should be humble not proud.  A humble attitude is the attitude of Christ.  The Gospel reveals that when we fail to obey Jesus’ commandment, we betray Him.

 

This week, stop and observe what you are saying and doing.  Make a determined effort to stop the deceit, lying, and manipula­tion that may be going on in your life.  It only brought Judas loneliness and death. The choice is yours to make.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Mar. 17th) – CYCLE B

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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 JEREMIAH 31:31-34             FIRST READING 

 

(“I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”) 

 

  1. What will the Lord make with the house of Israel and the house of Judah?   Jeremiah 31:31

 

 

  1. For what reason, and who is the mediator of a new covenant? Hebrews 9:14-15

 

 

 

  1. What will the covenant not be like, what did the Israelites do, and what did God do?   Jeremiah 31:32

 

 

  1. What did God command on the day he brought them out of the land of Egypt?   Jeremiah 7:22-23 

 

 

  1. What did the Lord make with the house of Israel, and what will he place within them?   Jeremiah 31:33

 

 

  1. Where will the Lord write his law, what will he be to them, and what will they be to him?  Jeremiah 31:33

 

 

  1. What will he remember no more?   Hebrews 10:16-17

 

 

  1. To whom and what will they no longer have need to teach? Jeremiah 31:34

 

 

  1. Who shall know the Lord, what will he do, and what will he no longer remember?  Jeremiah 31:34

 

 

  1. Who shall be taught by the Lord, and what shall be great within our children?   Isaiah 54:13

 

 

  1. What remains in us, and for what reason?  1 John 2:27

 

 

Personal – How have you responded to the new covenant that God has made with you?   How has this affected your relationship with others? 

 

 

THIRD DAY           READ HEBREWS 5:7-9           SECOND READING 

 

(“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.”) 

 

  1. When Christ was in the flesh, what and how did he offer himself?   Hebrews 5:7

 

 

  1. To whom did he offer prayers and supplications, and why was he heard?  Hebrews 5:7

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, and in what way did he pray? Matthew 26:38 and Luke 22:44 

 

 

  1. What did King Darius decree? Daniel 6:26-28

 

 

  1. Son though he was, what did he learn from what he suffered? Hebrews 5:8

 

 

  1. To what did Jesus become obedient?   Philippians 2:8

 

 

  1. What will many be made through the obedience of Jesus? Romans 5:19 

 

 

  1. How do we share Christ’s sufferings? Philippians 3:10

 

 

  1. When Jesus was made perfect, of what did he become the source, and for whom?  Hebrews 5:9 

 

 

  1. What are we to be, just as our heavenly Father is? Matthew 5:48 

 

 

Personal – How have you suffered through your obedience to Christ in your dying to self for others? 

 

 

FOURTH DAY           READ JOHN 12:20-33           GOSPEL 

 

(“…but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”) 

 

  1. What did some Greeks ask Philip?  John 12:20-21

 

 

  1. What did Philip and Andrew do?  John 12:22

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say had to come for the Son of Man to be glorified?  John 12:23

 

  1. What did Jesus say about a grain of wheat?  John 12:24   

 

 

  1. What you sow is not brought to life unless it does what? 1 Corinthians 15:36

 

 

  1. What does a grain of wheat produce if it dies?  John 12:24

 

 

  1. What happens to him who loves his life, and to him who hates his life?   John 12:25

 

 

  1. Whoever serves Jesus must do what?  Where he is, who will also be there, and what will the Father do?  John 12:26

 

 

Personal – Name some of the ways you have died to self for those around you, and what is the fruit you bear? 

 

 

  1. What must one do who wishes to come after Jesus? Matthew 16:24 

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say he was, and what question does he ask? What statement does he make about the hour?   John 12:27

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say, what did the crowd hear, and what did some say?   John 12:28-29

 

 

  1. For whom did Jesus say the voice came, what did he say was the time, and who would be driven out?  John 12:30-31

 

  1. Where did Jesus say he was going, and what has happened to the ruler of this world?    John 16:10-11

 

 

  1. Who is greater than the one who is in the world? 1 John 4:4 

 

 

  1. When Jesus is lifted up from the earth, who will he draw to himself, and why did he say this?John 12:32-33

 

 

Personal – How have you experienced Jesus drawing you to himself? 

 

 

FIFTH DAY          READ PSALM 51:3-4, 12-15        PSALM 

(“I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.”) 

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15. 

 

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  

 

JEREMIAH 31:31-34 

 

The old covenant had been broken so many times, and God in His mercy had restored the Israelites every time they repented. This reading reveals to us that the old covenant which was built on the Law of Moses would be replaced by a new covenant with the “Messiah.” The old covenant was written on the tablets of stone which Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai (Ex. 20). God showed the people the beauty of any true function of His laws in the Ten Commandments.  

 

The law was designed to lead Israel to a life of practical holiness, and in today’s reading we see the old covenant being replaced by a new one that had the laws of God imprinted on our hearts rather than on tablets of stone. The foundation of the old covenant was Moses and the Mosaic law, and the foundation of the new covenant is Jesus Christ. The new covenant goes beyond Israel and Judah and encompasses the whole world. 

 

A personal relationship with God is now available, and Jeremiah looked forward to the day when this new covenant would be a reality. But for us the new covenant is already here, and the Word became flesh (John 1:14). We have available to us right now a deep and personal relationship with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This can be a permanent relationship with the God of all.  

 

Do you long for a relationship like this? Then, right now, get down on your knees and invite Him into your heart. Tell Him you want Him to bring His new covenant into your heart. Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus and you will be renewed forever and ever. 

 

HEBREWS 5:7-9 

 

This reading really brings home the fact that Jesus found no pleasure in suffering and dying. He willingly chose to endure pain and humiliation in order to obey His Father.  

 

At times we will find ourselves choosing to allow ourselves to undergo trials and pain and humiliation, not because we want to suffer, but because we want to obey God.  In our time of trial, we can draw upon the example of Jesus’ obedience, and we find we can face anything when we know that Jesus Christ is with us. When we pray to the Lord, let our spirit be in obedience with His Holy Spirit. Many times, we cry out to God in a spirit of disobedience and wonder why it seems as if He is not listening. All suffering is not of the Lord, and some suffering is very destructive and wasted. When our suffering turns us toward the Lord and we join our suffering with His, it becomes what is called redemptive suffering. It brings us through our suffering into a tremendous harmony with Christ. This harmony and peace can come only through obedience to His Holy Word. People are tremendously influenced by the courage, patience, long-suffering, and joy of a suffering, obedient person. 

 

Jesus’ life was not a script that He passively followed. It was a life He chose to give. He chose to obey even when it began leading to His death. We need not fear suffering, whether it be from sickness, imprisonment, or persecution, because if we are obedient to His word, He will bring us to Him in full glory and free us from all suffering. He offers salvation to all those who obey Him. 

 

JOHN 12:20-33 

 

Today’s Gospel is not for the faint-hearted, and it is not for those who are looking for a quick fix. The message is loud and clear, and it is a message of complete obedience. To obey completely means not to question at all. We are being told that unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat.  

 

We are told that to be a disciple of Christ we have to follow in His footsteps, and this means walking along the path of pain, suffering, and humiliation. We are being called to follow in His footsteps into the terror of Calvary and the shock of His death on the cross. To follow in Jesus’ footsteps is to renounce our own direction and follow His. To follow in His footprints we must be like the grain of wheat that dies. This means we must die to ourselves, our ego, our pet needs, our dreams, and our future.  

 

We need not fear to follow in Jesus’ footsteps because He died to show His power over sin and death, and His resurrection proves He has eternal life. We can rejoice because He gives this same eternal life to all who believe in Him. To live for Christ is to live for others by dying to ourselves. This does not mean that we want to physically die but means that we want to live only to glorify Christ. We may never be called to make a sacrifice like Jesus did, but we are called into obedience to Him. Whatever the Father asks, we should do, and bring glory to His name. Jesus loved us so much that He went willingly to that cross of pain and death. His resurrection shattered Satan’s power over death (Col. 1:13, 14). We need never fear following in Jesus’ footsteps because He tells us in scripture, “There is one greater in you than there is in the world,” (1 John 4:4). 

 

Application  

 

The first reading tells us that God has imprinted His law on our hearts. The second reading reveals that suffering can lead to obedience, and obedience leads to holiness. The Gospel shows us that following in Jesus’ footsteps is anything but glamorous and safe. 

 

This week make a deliberate effort to give God the glory of your efforts rather than seeking attention and praise for yourself. This will help others to give glory to God for their efforts instead of seeking attention and praise for themselves.  

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Mar. 10th) – CYCLE B

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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 2 CHRONICLES 36:14-17, 19-23           FIRST READING

 

(“for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place.”)

 

  1. Who added infidelity to infidelity, what did they practice, and what did they do to the Lord’s temple? 2 Chronic­les 36:14

 

 

  1. What do those who indulge in sexual promiscuity and practice unnatural vice defile?   Jude 1:7-8

 

 

  1. When did the Lord, the God of their fathers, send His messengers to those polluting the temple, and for what reason?    2 Chronicles 36:15

 

 

  1. On whom does the Lord have compassion? Psalm 103:13

 

 

  1. In what is God great? Psalm 51:3

 

 

Personal – How have you experienced the compassion of the Lord, and how have you been compassionate with those around you?

 

 

 

  1. Whom did the people mock, and what did the Lord become? 2 Chronicles 36:16

 

 

  1. Whom did the Lord bring up against them, what happened to their young men, and whom did he deliver over to the king? 2 Chronicles 36:17

 

 

  1. What did they do to the house of God? 2 Chr. 36:19

 

 

  1. What happened to those who escaped the sword, and what did they become?   2 Chronicles 36:20

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say a man is who commits sin, and where does he not remain forever?   John 8:34-35

 

 

  1. What was all this to fulfill? 2 Chronicles 36:21

 

 

  1. In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, what did the Lord inspire the king to do? 2 Chronicles 36:22-23

 

 

Personal – In what way have you heard the word of the Lord, and how will you fulfill it?

 

 

 

THIRD DAY             READ EPHESIANS 2:4-10             SECOND READING

 

(“For by grace you have been saved through faith,”)

 

  1. In what is God rich, and what is great that he has for us? Ephesians 2:4

 

 

  1. When we were dead in our transgressions, to what did he bring us?   Ephesians 2:5

 

 

  1. How does God prove his love for us? Romans 5:8

 

 

  1. With whom have we been raised up, where has he seated us, and for what reason? Ephesians 2:6-7

 

 

  1. If Christ is in us, what is dead and what is alive, and why?    Romans 8:10

 

 

  1. What will happen to him who insults the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:29

 

 

  1. How have we been saved, through what have we been saved, and from whom is it not?    Ephesians 2:8

 

 

  1. What has God given us, from what is it not, so no one shall do what?   Ephesians 2:8-9

 

 

  1. How is no one justified? Galatians 2:16

 

 

  1. What should no human being do, and how should we boast? 1 Corinthians 1:29-31

 

 

  1. What are we to God, how are we created, and what has God prepared in advance so that we should live in      them? Ephesians 2:10

 

 

  1. What is one who is in Christ? 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

 

Personal – What are the good works God has created for you to do? See Ephesians 4:11-16

 

 

 

FOURTH DAY             READ JOHN 3:14-21                GOSPEL

 

(“…everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”)

 

  1. What did Moses make, where did he mount it, and what happened to those that looked at it?  Numbers 21:9

 

 

  1. Why must the Son of Man be lifted up? John 3:14-15

 

 

  1. Whom does God love, whom did he give, and how may we have eternal life? John 3:16

 

 

  1. How is the love of God revealed to us? 1 John 4:9

 

 

  1. What did God send His Son into the world not to do, and for what reason did He send his Son into the world? John 3:17

 

 

  1. If anyone hears Jesus’ words and does not observe them, what condemns him? John 12:47-48

 

 

  1. What must we do in order not to be condemned? John 3:18

 

 

  1. From what has the one who believes in Jesus passed? John 5:24

 

 

  1. What is the verdict? John 3:19

 

 

  1. Who does Jesus say He is? John 8:12

 

 

  1. What does everyone who does wicked things hate, toward what does he not come, and for what reason?  John 3:20

 

 

  1. Who are those who rebel against the light? Job 24:13-17

 

 

  1. Who comes to the light, and how will his works be clearly seen?   John 3:21

 

 

  1. Who is the light of the world, for whom must that light shine, and for what reason? Matthew 5:14, 16

 

 

Personal – How do those around you see the light of Christ within you, and how often do they see it?   If you do not know, step out and ask those closest to you what they see in you. Take to the Lord in prayer whatever is revealed to you.

 

 

 

FIFTH DAY       READ PSALM 137:1-6

 

(“If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten.”)

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 137:1-6.

 

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

 

2 CHRONICLES 36:14-17, 19-23

 

 

God warned Judah about its sin and continually restored the people to His favor, only to have them turn away. The people refused to listen to the words of the prophet Jeremiah, and eventually the situation of sinful living was beyond remedy. This happened to a people who worshipped the heathen idols of the surrounding nations. The people from the top, the leaders and high priests and many of the important people of Judah harbored rebellion in their hearts and led the nation into its downfall.

 

Today we see many of the same attitudes in many nations. There seems to be a race toward self-destruction. The traditional values seem to be more a part of history rather than our present and future. We have to beware of harboring sin in our heart and becoming a rebellious people. We may also reflect on our actions and be aware that the day will come for all of us when remedy is no longer possible and God’s judgment replaces His mercy. History has clearly shown us that sin often repeated, but never repented invites disaster.

 

This chapter closes with the end of the exile and the promise of a new future for the remnants of God’s chosen people. The temple represented the greatest dedication of worship the world had ever seen. Yet the temple was destroyed, the kings were gone, the people removed, and the nation was stripped to its very foundation.  Fortunately, there was a greater foundation, and that is God Himself.

 

Today when it seems as if everything is being stripped away from us, we need to remember that we too still have God in His Holy Word, His presence, His sacraments, and in His promise that He would be with us for all ages (Matthew 28:20).

 

 

EPHESIANS 2:4-10

 

This reading reveals to us that we need not live any longer under sin’s power. Jesus Christ destroyed the penalty and power of sin through His death on the cross. We have been found through faith in Christ to be acquitted “not guilty” before God. This does not mean that God has taken us out of the world or turned us into robots. We still fall to sin on occasions. But now the difference is Christ’s incredible gift to us; we can choose to live for Him or choose to ignore and reject Him. We know that just as Jesus rose from the dead, so will our bodies be raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:12-19). We have been given the power to live the fully human, fully alive Christian life now (Ephesians 1:19).

 

Paul tells us of sitting with Christ in glory because we who have faith in him are united in His powerful victory. It is obvious that this gift of salvation is not a reward for something good that we have done. The fact is that it is a gift freely given and the response by us is not “How much do I owe you?” The response to His gift is “Thank you.” Many people feel obligated to try to work their way to God even after they have been made aware of this incredible gift. We can respond to the gift of our salvation and even our faith only with gratitude, praise and joyful­ness. This unmerited gift to us from God is called “grace,” (Eph. 1:8), and it is not the result of any effort, ability, intelligence, or act of service to others on our part. We do good not to become good, but rather because of the goodness which is the Holy Spirit that resides within us (1 John 4:4). Out of gratitude and joy, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness and love. Let us remember that we are not saved merely for our own benefit. We are called to glorify Him and build up His church (Ephesians 4:12).

 

 

JOHN 3:14-21

 

In today’s reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus is telling the people that when the Israelites were wandering in the wilder­ness, God sent forth a plague of venomous snakes to punish them for their rebellious attitudes. Those who were doomed to die from snakebite could be cured by obeying God’s command to look up at the bronze serpent on the pole that Moses was carrying. The bronze snake on the pole did not heal anyone, but their belief that God could heal them did it. This belief was demonstrated by their obedience in following God’s command.

 

Believers today can be saved from the sickness of sin by looking to Jesus’ death on the cross. We will be saved from sin’s deadly “bite” by looking to Jesus and believing He will heal us. To many people eternal life holds no great promise if it means the extension of a miserable mortal life on earth. To believe in Jesus Christ and gain eternal life is a life where there is no death, sickness, enemies, evil or sin. When we do not know Christ, we make choices as though this life were all we have. In reality, we believe this life is just an introduction to eter­nity.

 

We need to begin to evaluate from an eternal perspective all that happens to us each day.  God sets the pattern of true love here. If we love someone dearly, we are willing to give the ultimate price for that person’s responsive love. God paid dearly with the life of His Son, the highest price He could pay. Jesus offered us the new life He bought for us. He paid the price of our sins with His blood and life.

 

When you and I share the Gospel with others, our love must be like His. We must be willing to give up our own comfort and security so that others might join us in receiving God’s love. The darkness is very comfortable to some people because they do not want their lives exposed to God’s light. They are afraid of what it might reveal about themselves. It might call for a change and they do not want to change. Do not let others intimidate you in your desire to obey God and do what is right. They are afraid that you may expose some of the darkness in their lives. You are to keep praying that they will come to see how much better it is to live in the light than in darkness. He has promised us eternal life if we believe in Him (John 3:16). Take Him up on that promise. He is a God who really delivers.

 

Application

 

The first reading shows us that God restores those who repent.  The second reading tells us that we do not have to live under sin’s power any longer. The Gospel promises eternal life if we believe in Christ.

 

This week, show others how the light and love of Christ shines through you. By your actions show your kindness and gentle­ness to your family members, classmates or co-workers. Be specific and pick out a particular person each day and let the light and love of God light up your life by being patient and kind. Be generous and humble, not jealous or rude. Practice this for one week and you will light up your whole family, school and job.  Let your light shine, let your light shine.

 

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (Mar. 3rd) – CYCLE B

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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 EXODUS 20:1-17             FIRST READING

 

(“I, the Lord, am your God,…”)

 

  1. What did God deliver, from where did he deliver them, and where did he speak to them? Exodus 20:1 and Nehemiah 9:13

 

 

  1. What did the Lord say you shall not have, what shall you      not carve, and what kind of a God is He?  Exodus 20:3-5

 

 

  1. What is cast by a craftsman? Isaiah 40:19

 

 

  1. What do knowledge and love do, and what do we know about idols and God?    1 Corinthians 8:1-6

 

 

  1. What will God bestow down to the thousandth generation, and to whom will he bestow it? Exodus 20:6

 

 

  1. Who will be shown mercy? Matthew 5:7

 

 

  1. What shall you not do to God’s name, and whom will the Lord not leave unpunished? Exodus 20:7

 

 

  1. What day are you to remember to keep holy, what must you not do on that day, and what did the Lord do on the seventh day? Exodus 20:8-11

 

 

  1. Whom are we to honor, and by honoring them what may we have?  Exodus 20:12

 

 

  1. As seen in Exodus 20:13-17, what shall we not do?

 

 

  1. What did Jesus tell the man he needed to do in order to inherit eternal life?  Mark 10:17-22

 

 

  1. What did Jesus come to do? Matthew 5:17

 

 

Personal – Which of the commandments do you have difficulty following?  What can you do to change that area of difficulty for yourself?

 

 

 

THIRD DAY                 READ 1 CORINTHIANS 1:22-25               SECOND READING

 

(“Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”)

 

  1. What do the Jews demand, and for what do the Greeks look? 1 Corinthians 1:22

 

 

  1. What was the beginning of Jesus’ signs in Cana, what did this reveal, and what did his disciples begin to do? John 2:7-9, 11

 

 

  1. In what did Jesus advance? Luke 2:52

 

 

  1. What comes with pride, and what comes with the humble? Proverbs 11:2

 

 

  1. What is the beginning of wisdom? Proverbs 9:10

 

 

  1. What does Paul proclaim, and what is this to the Jews and Gentiles?   1 Corinthians 1:23

 

 

  1. What did Simeon say to Mary about Jesus? Luke 2:34

 

 

  1. What did Paul say about the message of the cross? 1 Corinthians 1:18

 

 

  1. To those who are called, what is Christ? 1 Corinthians 1:24

 

 

  1. What is the foolishness of God and the weakness of God? 1 Corinthians 1:25

 

 

  1. Out of what was Jesus crucified, how does he live, and how do we live with him?   2 Corinthians 13:4

 

 

Personal – How do you proclaim Christ crucified to your family, friends, co-workers, and/or schoolmates?  Could there be a stum­bling block for you or others in proclaiming Christ crucified?

 

 

 

FOURTH DAY             READ JOHN 2:13-25                GOSPEL

 

 

(“..He was speaking about the temple of his body.”)

 

  1. Since the Jewish Passover was near, where did Jesus go? Whom did Jesus find seated in the temple, and what    were they doing?    John 2:13-14

 

 

  1. What did Jesus make, and what did he do with it, and what did he do with the coins and tables?  John 2:15

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say to those who sold doves? John 2:16

 

 

  1. What did Jesus’ disciples recall, and at this, what did      the Jews say to him?   John 2:17-18

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say about the temple? John 2:19

 

 

  1. How long did the Jews say the temple had been under construction?    John 2:20

 

 

  1. About what was Jesus speaking? John 2:21

 

 

  1. What is our body, who dwells within us, and what must we do with our body?   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 

 

  1. What happened to the disciples when Jesus was raised from the dead, and what two things did they come to believe? John 2:22

 

 

  1. Who reminds us of all that Jesus says? See John 14:26

 

 

  1. What made many begin to believe in his name? John 2:23

 

 

  1. Why did Jesus not trust himself to them, and what did he understand well?   John 2:24-25

 

 

  1. How might the cross of Christ be emptied of its meaning? 1 Corinthians 1:17

 

 

  1. Who did God choose from the world, and what did Jesus become for us?   1 Corinthians 1:27, 29-31

 

Personal – How can profiting and making money be a stumbling block to your temple (your body)?

 

 

 

FIFTH DAY             READ PSALM 19:8-11

 

(“The law of the Lord is perfect,”)

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 19:8-11.

 

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

 

Exodus 20:1-17

 

Today’s reading brings to us the law that was designed to lead Israel to a life of practical holiness. The Ten Commandments were intended to direct the community to meet the needs of each person in a loving and responsible manner. The Israelites had just come from Egypt, a land of many idols and gods. It was very common to worship many gods in order to have a fulfilled life. When God told His people to worship Him, the people thought he was just one more god to add to the list, and when He said, “Worship no other God than me,” it was hard for the people to accept. God made this His first commandment and emphasized it more than the other command­ments.

 

By the time Jesus came along, most people looked at the Law the wrong way. They saw it as a means to salvation, but God shows that the Law is a blueprint for living, not a method of salva­tion. We need only to look around us and we can see that many people today allow certain values to become gods to them. Good health, money, fame, work, or pleasure can become gods when we concen­trate too much on them for meaning and security in our life.

 

No one really sets out to worship these things. Yet, the amount of time they occupy in people’s lives lets them grow into gods that ultimately control our thoughts and energies. We can keep these idols and false gods from dominating us when only God takes the central place in our lives. God’s name is special, for it carries His personal identity. The way we use His name conveys the way we really feel about Him. Lying is an attempt to deceive. God warns us against this kind of deception. Even though decep­tion is a way of life for many people, we must resist it. Only God can supply all of our needs (Phil. 4:19) and we need go to Him only in prayer (Phil. 4:6-8) and we will find the peace that surpasses all understanding.

 

1 CORINTHIANS 1:22-25

 

Paul tells us that many people in Corinth thought the Good News of Jesus Christ was foolish, because they had been taught that the Messiah would be a conquering hero, not a suffering servant. Jesus did not restore David’s throne as they had ex­pected. The execution of Jesus as a common criminal certainly did not help those of Corinth to look upon Jesus Christ as their Savior. The Greeks thought the Gospel was foolish, too, because they did not believe in a bodily resurrection. The Greeks did not see in Jesus Christ the strength of their mythological gods, and they also thought no reputable person would be crucified. To the Greeks death was defeat, not victory.

 

Today, the Good News of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to some people. Our society worships youth, influence, wealth, power, and health. Jesus came as a humble, poor servant (Phil. 2:2-11). Jesus offers His kingdom to those with faith, not talent, money or power. To the world this method looks backward, but it is the way God chose to save it.

 

Paul preached about the crucified Christ, and his message was that of the cross. He taught that Jesus emptied himself and obediently went to His death on the cross (Phil. 2:2-11). We are called to do no less. We are called to defer to one another and die to our own desires and needs. We live in a world that glori­fies self and tries desperately to ignore the rights and needs of the broken, lonely and oppressed people. We are strongest when we are meeting the needs of the weakest. Mother Teresa shows us that we are richest when we are meeting the needs of the poorest of the poor.  Jesus himself tells us that when we serve others, we are serving Him (Matthew 25:31-46).

 

JOHN 2:13-25

 

The Passover celebration took place yearly at the temple in Jerusalem. All Jewish males were expected to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem during this time. Jerusalem was both the political and religious seat of Palestine, and it was the place where the expected Messiah was to arrive. The temple in today’s reading was built on the same location as the one built by Solomon over a thousand years earlier (1 Kings 6).

 

The temple tax had to be paid in the local currency; hence the need for moneychangers. Profits were being made and high interest was very common with moneychangers. The people needed to make a sin offering so animals were sold also. The price of sacrificial animals was much higher in the temple area than elsewhere. Jesus was very angry at the dishonesty and greed of the moneychangers and merchants.  Their presence made a mockery of the temple, the place of worship to God, not a market­place.

 

We need to be sure that our attitude reflects our desire to attend church because it is a place of prayer, worship, and social activities that give varied types of help to the poor and oppressed.

 

Jesus exerted righteous indignation and not uncontrolled rage. It is right to be angry over injustice and sin, and it is wrong to be angry over trivial personal offenses. Jesus’ resur­rection would prove His authority to drive out the merchants, to heal, to cast out demons, and to forgive sins. We are called to make our temple of the Holy Spirit, which is our body (1 Cor. 6:19-20), a place that is a living and holy sacrifice.

 

Application

 

The first reading is a call to practical holiness. The second reading reveals the Messiah as a suffering servant. The Gospel tells us that our church is meant to be a place of wor­ship.

 

This week, see what needs to be done by your family to make your church a place of worship. See what needs to be done by you to make your family see you as one who is becoming holy. Then go in the name of Jesus Christ, through the power of His Holy Spirit, and in accordance with His Father’s will, DO IT.