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SEGUNDO DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO (Dec. 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 ISAIAS 40:1-5, 9-11                                  PRIMERA LECTURA

 

(“Proclámalo en voz alta.”)

 

  1. ¿Qué dice el Señor que se dé a Su Pueblo? Isaias 40:1

 

  1. ¿Qué nos dá Dios cuando estamos afligidos, cómo nos permite confortar a otros en sus aflicciones?                 2 Corintios 1:3-4

 

  1. ¿Cuáles son las dos cosas que hay que hacer para Jerusalén y qué es lo que ésta ha recibido de manos del Señor?   Is 40:2

 

  1. ¿Quién hablará por nosotros, y qué debemos proclamar? Mateo 10:20 y 10:27

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que dice la voz que clama en el desierto? Isaias 40:3

 

  1. ¿Qué pasará a todos los cerros, lomas, quebradas, colinas y cuestas? Isaias 40:4

 

  1. ¿Qué será revelado entonces, quiénes la veran y quién habrá hablado? Isaias 40:5

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que el Padre dá al Hijo y qué es lo que el Hijo dá al Padre? ¿Cómo se lo ha dado el Hijo al Padre?  Juan 17:1 y 17:4

 

  1. ¿Qué debes gritar, cómo debes hacerlo y qué es lo que vas a decir? Isaias 40:9

 

  1. ¿Quién viene con mucho poder, sometiendo todo con Su brazo, qué es lo que trae y qué va delante de El?   Isaias 40:10

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que hace un pastor con su rebaño, con sus corderos, en donde los carga y a quienes conduce al reposo?  Isaias 40:11

 

  1. ¿Qué es el ojo para el cuerpo según Mateo 6:22?

 

 

Personal – ¿Son tus acciones un grito que clama acerca del Señor para que otros lo oigan? ¿Has sentido alguna vez que el Señor te va cargando en Su pecho y va guiando a las ovejas con cuidado?

 

 

TERCER DIA                                                  LEE 2 PEDRO 3:8-14                                      SEGUNDA LECTURA

 

(“El Señor no demora en cumplir lo que prometió.”)

 

  1. ¿Qué es un dia a los ojos del Señor? 2 Pedro 3:8

 

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que el Señor no demora en cumplir? 2 Pedro 3:9

 

 

  1. ¿Qué promesa ha hecho, tanto a ti como a tus hijos? Hechos 2:38-39

 

 

  1. ¿Qué tiene el Señor y qué es lo que El quiere? 2 Pedro 3:9

 

 

  1. ¿Cómo muestra Jesucristo todo Su paciencia? 1 Timoteo 1:15-16

 

 

  1. ¿Cómo llegará el Dia del Señor y que pasará entonces? 2 Pedro 3:10

 

 

  1. ¿Qué pasará con todo y cómo debe ser la conducta de la gente? 2 Pedro 3:11  Hechos 3:19

 

 

  1. ¿Cómo debe ser tu conducta y devoción si miras hacia el dia de la venida del Señor? 2 Pedro 3:11-12

 

 

  1. ¿Cómo llegamos a participar de la santidad de Dios? 2 Corintios 5:21

 

 

  1. ¿Qué dicen las Escrituras acerca de ser santo? Levitico 19:2 y 1 Pedro 1:16

 

 

  1. ¿Qué ha de venir y que permanecerá? 2 Pedro 3:13

 

 

Personal – Has sentido la paciencia de Dios para contigo? ¿Cómo demuestras paciencia con tus padres, hijos, amigos, compañeros de escuela o de trabajo revelandoles la verdad de Dios y su oportunidad de aceptarlo o rechazarlo?

 

 

CUARTO DIA                                                 LEE MARCOS 1:1-8                                             EVANGELIO

 

(“…El te bautizará en el Espíritu Santo.”)

 

  1. ¿Qué comienza aquí, que está escrito en el libro de Isaias acerca de un mensajero y por qué razon fue enviado éste?   Marcos 1:1-2

 

  1. ¿Qué gritaba el heraldo en el desierto? Marcos 1:3

 

 

  1. ¿Qué mensaje nos ha entregado Dios? 2 Corintios 5:19

 

 

  1. ¿Qué dice Jesús que ha hecho el Padre con El y que hara El con nosotros? Juan 17:18

 

 

  1. ¿Quién apareció en el desierto, qué era lo que predicaba y con qué objeto? Marcos 1:4

 

 

  1. ¿Cómo se debe predicar a todas las naciones? Lucas 24:47

 

 

  1. ¿Quién acudia a Juan y qué les sucedia cuando confesaban sus pecados? Marcos 1:5

 

 

  1. ¿A quién debemos confesarle nuestros pecados? Santiago 5:16

 

 

  1. ¿Con qué se vestia Juan, de que era su cinturón y que comia? Marcos 1:6

 

 

  1. ¿Con qué debemos vestirnos y cuál es nuestro alimento? Efesios 6:13-17 y Juan 4:32-34

 

 

  1. ¿Cuál fue el tema de la predicación de Juan y con qué eres bautizado? Marcos 1:8 y Juan 1:29-33

 

 

Personal – Examina tu conciencia. Escribe como te ves a ti mismo como pecador y como te sientes al haber sido bautizado con agua y en el Espíritu Santo.

 

QUINTO DIA                                    LEE SALMO 85:9-14

 

(“Quiero escuchar qué está hablando el Señor,”)

 

Leé y medita el Salmo 85:9-14.

 

¿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

 

ISAIAS 40:1-5, 9-11

 

En este momento el libro de Isaias hace un cambio dramático. En vez de advertir a la gente sobre el juicio inminente, Isaias los conforta. Los Israelitas todavia tuvieron cerca de 100 años de problemas antes de que Jerusalén cayera. Despues experimentaron 70 años de exilio. Dios llamó a Isaias para que confortara y hablara con ternura a Su pueblo escogido.

Las semillas del consuelo pueden tener sus raices en la tierra de la adversidad. Cuando creas que tu vida se esta desbaratando a pedazos, pidele a Dios que te sostenga y te consuele. Probablemente seguirás pasando por pruebas y tribulaciones adversas, pero hallarás el consuelo de Dios en medio de todo eso. Para algunos el único consuelo que tienen es el saber que un dia estarán con Dios. Hablo ahora a aquellos que parece que tienen muy pocas esperanzas en lo que concierne a su salud física, a su matrimonio o que están en prisión. Agarrense bien! Aprecien el consuelo y el aliento que se encuentra en Su palabra, en Su presencia, en Su Eucaristia y en Su pueblo.

La voz de la esperanza te llama tanto a ti como a aquellos a los que se dirigia esta lectura para que prepares un camino derecho y sereno. O sea que quites los obstáculos que hay en tu vida y que están impidiendo que recibas a Jesús en tu corazón. El desierto en nuestra vida de ahora puede ser una imágen de lo que es la vida de sufrimientos y pruebas. No estamos inmunes a ello, pero debido a nuestra fé y debido a la promesa de Dios (Juan 3:16), las dificultades de la vida no tienen que ser un obstáculo.

 

Juan el Bautista hablaba a la gente para que se preparara para ver a Dios trabajando en sus vidas, como nosotros debemos hacerlo ahora (Mateo 3:3). El los llamaba a prepararse para la venida del Mesías y eso es lo que el Adviento es para nosotros hoy dia. Se nos llama a prepararnos para la venida de Cristo en nuestros corazones. Debemos prepararnos para la Encarnación de Dios. Necesitamos enderezar nuestros caminos torcidos y lo haremos pidiendole a Dios que nos perdone por ello y por nuestras actitudes incorrectas. En la lectura de hoy se compara a la gente con el pasto y las flores que se secan (Isaias 40:6-8). Nuestras vidas son mortales, pero la palabra de Dios es eterna e infalible.

2 PEDRO 3:8-14

 

Esta lectura es un mensaje de esperanza. La gente del tiempo de Pedro sufria persecusión y anhelaba ser liberada. Pedro les dice que mil años son como un dia para el Señor. Les dice que Dios no es lento, lo que sucede es que El no se rige por nuestra medida del tiempo. Jesús está esperando para que mas pecadores se arrepientan y se vuelvan hacia El. El demuestra su increíble paciencia tratándonos con misericordia. No debemos sentarnos y esperarlo. Al contrario, quiere que vayamos adelante haciendo mas discípulos en todas las naciones (Mateo 28:19). Ellos se daban cuenta que el tiempo era corto y habia mucho trabajo importante que llevar a cabo.

Hoy ese mensaje está puesto con un sentido de urgencia. Debemos planear nuestra vida como si fueramos a vivir para siempre en la tierra y vivirla como si hoy fuera el último dia. Se nos dice que el regreso de Cristo sera repentino y terrible para aquellos que no creen en El y no obedecen Sus mandamientos. Pasas tu tiempo amontonando posesiones terrenas o estás luchando por traer a otros el mensaje de paz?

Somos llamados a traer a nuestros hermanos y hermanas hacia el arrepentimiento. Asi, ellos también experimentarán el increíble perdon del Señor. El propósito de Dios para la raza humana no es la destrucción, sino la creación. El quemará los cielos y la tierra con fuego y los volverá a crear nuevamente. No podemos acelerar el retorno de Dios aun cuando nos encontremos sufriendo ahora. El está esperando pacientemente a que mas de Sus hijos rebeldes se arrepientan. Podemos atraer mas gente a tener fé en El con el hecho de vivir nuestras vidas, especialmente si estamos sufriendo. El quiere que seamos santos simplemente por que El es santo y El quiere lo mejor para nosotros.

 

MARCOS 1:1-8

 

Marcos no fue uno de los doce apóstoles pero es muy probable, que haya conocido a Jesús personalmente. Este evangelio está escrito en una forma de historia acelerada para los Cristianos de Roma, donde se veneraban muchos dioses. Marcos queria que ellos supieran que Jesús es el único y verdadero Hijo de Dios.

Vemos a Juan el Bautista anunciando la venida de Jesús y llamando a la gente a enderezar sus vidas y terminar con esos modos egoistas de vivir. Se les pide que renuncien a sus pecados, busquen el perdón de Dios y establezcan una relación personal con El, creyendo y obedeciendo Su santa palabra. Hoy nosotros estamos llamados a hacer lo mismo, a darnos cuenta que somos pecadores y a que debemos renunciar a esos pecados. Unicamente podremos experimentar el perdón de Dios si admitimos que estabamos equivocados. Juan Bautista era muy popular y su mensaje de arrepentimiento fue oido y aceptado por muchos. Arrepentimiento no significa “decir lo siento mucho;” significa “cambiar de actitud.”

Juan les decia a todos que se prepararan para alguien que iba a venir y que era mucho mas efectivo que él. Juan les dijo que no era digno ni siquiera de atar las cintas de sus sandalias. También les dijo que el Mesías los bautizaría con agua y con el Espíritu. El propósito de la predicación de Juan era preparar a la gente para aceptar a Jesús como el hijo de Dios. Juan invita a la gente a una nueva relación personal con Dios cuando les pide que se confiesen individualmente.

¿Donde te encuentras tu ahora? ¿Necesitas cambiar algo en tu vida antes de que puedas oir y entender el mensaje de Jesús? Debes admitir que eres pecador para poder recibir el perdón. Necesitas estar verdaderamente arrepentido para tener verdadera fé.

 

Aplicación

 

La primera lectura de esta semana nos habla de que nuestro Dios es un Dios que dá el consuelo. La segunda lectura revela que Dios nos trata a cada uno con misericordia. El Evangelio muestra que la respuesta al arrepentimiento lleva al poder del perdón.

Esta semana hagamos saber a aquellos que están a nuestro alrededor algo de nuestras imperfecciones mas notables. Por ejemplo, una falta específica como el estar juzgando a los otros y digámosles que vamos a cambiar y que si nos ven juzgando nos lo hagan notar con amor. Esto te guiará hacia un increíble mejoramiento en tus relaciones con los seres queridos, con aquellos con los que trabajas o en la escuela. Sé especifíco y escoje primero una imperfección pequeña, luego has oración y cambia (arrepiéntete). Tu cambio, no tus palabras, ni tus lágrimas, serán las que traigan el perdón. Prueba con dejar de fumar, de beber, de decir mentiras, de jurar en vano, etc. Has algo hermoso por Dios — cambia (arrepiéntete).

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT (Dec. 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 ISAIAH 61:1-2, 10-11                  FIRST READING

 

(“I rejoice heartily in the Lord.”)

 

  1. Where is the spirit of the Lord God, and what has the Lord done?   Isaiah 61:1

 

 

  1. What has the Lord God sent me to do for the lowly and to the broken hearted?   Isaiah 61:1

 

 

  1. What do we proclaim to the captives and the prisoners? Isaiah 61:1

 

 

  1. What was the passage read by Jesus in the synagogue, and what did he say about it?   Luke 4:18-19, 21.

 

 

  1. What did God do with Jesus? Acts 10:38

 

 

  1. What does the anointing we received from him do for us? 1 John 2:27-28

 

 

  1. What has he sent me to announce, and what are we to do to all who mourn?  Isaiah 61:2

 

 

  1. What do we do in our God who is the joy of our soul, and what has he done for us?  Isaiah 61:10

 

 

  1. What will the Lord God make spring up before all the nations?   Isaiah 61:11

 

 

  1. What does the practice of justice do for the just? Proverbs 21:15

 

 

  1. For what does the just man concern himself? Proverbs 29:7

 

 

Personal – How can you set free the captives within your environ­ment and those who are locked into self-pity? How has the Lord sprung up justice and praise within you?

 

 

 

THIRD DAY READ 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-24             SECOND READING

 

(“Rejoice always.”)

 

  1. What are we to do always? 1 Thessalonians 5:16

 

 

  1. What are we to do without ceasing? 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

 

  1. To what did the apostles devote themselves, and who was with them?   Acts 1:14

 

 

  1. What does the Spirit do for us in our weakness? Romans 8:26

 

 

  1. What do we do in all circumstances, whose will is it, and in whom?  1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

 

  1. Whom do we not quench? 1 Thessalonians 5:19

 

 

  1. How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? Isaiah 63:10

 

 

  1. What are we not to despise, what are we to test, and what are we to retain?   1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

 

 

  1. From what are we to refrain? 1 Thessalonians 5:22

 

 

  1. What do those who do evil see not fit to do, with what are they filled, and whom do they hate?   Romans 1:28-31

 

 

  1. What may the God of peace make us, and how may we be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?  1 Thessalonians 5:23

 

 

  1. What is the One who calls us, and what will he do? 1 Thessalonians 5:24

 

 

Personal – For what did you give thanks today, and from what evil did you refrain this week?

 

 

FOURTH DAY            READ JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28 GOSPEL

 

(“Make straight the way of the Lord.”)

 

  1. Who sent the man named John, and to what was he to testify? John 1:6-7

 

 

  1. What had John seen, and to what did he testify? John 1:34

 

 

  1. What was John not, but what was he to do? John 1:8

 

 

  1. Who is the light, and what will he who follows him have?   John 8:12

 

 

  1. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John who he was, what did he say?  John 1:19-20

 

 

  1. What did the priests and Levites ask John, and what was his answer?    John 1:21

 

 

  1. What was John’s response to the priests and Levites, and what did the Prophet Isaiah say?   John 1:23,     Isaiah 40:3

 

 

  1. For what are we to make straight paths, and why? Hebrews 12:13

 

 

  1. In response to the Pharisee’s question, with what did John say he baptizes, and whom did he say they do not     recognize? John 1:26

 

 

  1. What does John say he is not worthy to do to the One coming after him, and where did this take place? John   1:27

 

 

  1. Who is not worthy of Jesus? Matthew 10:37-38

 

 

Personal – In what way have you prepared the way of the Lord to those around you?  Has your personal testimony been about Jesus in your life?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ LUKE 1:46-50, 53-54

 

(“…my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”)

 

Read and meditate on Luke 1:46-50, 53-54.

 

What is the Lord saying to you personally through this reading?

 

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

 

ISAIAH 61:1-2, 10-11

 

This passage of Isaiah was read by Jesus in Luke 4:18. He stopped His reading to the people in the synagogue in the middle of Chapter 61:2, after the words, “The time of God’s favor has come.” Jesus closed the book and said, “These scriptures came true today.” (Luke 4:21). The rest of Isaiah 61:2, “and the day of his wrath to his enemies,” will come true when Jesus returns to earth again. It is important for us to realize that we are now under God’s favor and His wrath is yet to come.

 

Today’s reading is good news for those who suffer because the Spirit of God is upon those who will go forth and help all those who are suffering. Read Verses 1 and 2 and put your name in place of “me.” “The Spirit of God is upon you and He has anointed you to bring the good news to the suffering and afflicted, He has anointed you to comfort the brokenhearted.” Maybe someone right in your own family is suffering, and you will be the one to bring the  “Good News” of hope to them. All you need to do is say, “Yes, Lord, come into my heart, take up residence in me.”

 

Take the time right now, wherever you are, and confess your sins and repent, and let the grace of God fill you with His Holy Spirit. Are you aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you (1 Cor. 3:16) because of your baptism? Now God is filling you up with His Spirit so that His love can overflow through you and spill on to His hurt and broken people. You will open the eyes of the blind because you are carrying the light of the world within you. Remember, my beloved brothers and sisters, the Spirit of God is upon us and He has anointed us. He has clothed us with His garment of salvation and has draped His robe of righteousness about us.

 

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-24

 

In today’s reading we see that in all of our circumstances, joy, prayer, and thanksgiving should not go up or down because of feelings. These three commands to “be joyful, keep on praying, and continue to be thankful” often go against our natural inclin­ations. We can expect to be joyful and thankful when we are following God’s will because it is his power that flows through us and it is in His hands that we place our cares (1 Peter 5:7). We will always find it much easier to be joyful, thankful, and full of prayer when we really put our trust in the Lord.

 

We know that we cannot spend all of our time on our knees in prayer, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude all of the time. We build this attitude on admitting our dependence on God, realizing that His presence is right there in front of us, behind us, above us, below us and within us.  We must choose to obey Him fully. It is not enough to talk about Christ, we must also walk with Christ. We will then find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous short, and very meaningful prayers. Remem­ber that an attitude of prayer is not a substitute for our alone, “quiet” time of prayer with Jesus. A prayerful attitude should be an extension of those times.

 

Paul was teaching us that we should be thankful in every­thing that happens to us. We are thankful always because God IS and for the good He can bring out through the time of distress. We are told not to “smother the Holy Spirit” or not to ignore or toss aside the gifts the Holy Spirit has given to us. Some­times spiritual gifts are controversial and cause division in a church. Paul mentions the gift of prophecy, and he encourages all to use the full expression of these gifts in the body of Christ.

 

Let us never make fun of those who do not agree with what we profess to believe. Let us also check their works against sacred scripture and sacred tradition. We do not allow Christ to control us only on a religious level. We are called to let Christ control all of us at all times, under all circumstances.

 

 

JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28

 

This Gospel message is really a message of “Good News.” It is a message of a light that has come to penetrate the darkness of the world, and especially the darkness of people’s hearts. The light is Jesus, and John the Baptist gave witness to the light. We are called to carry out our role, today, as reflectors of Christ’s light. We are never to present ourselves as the light to others, but always as John the Baptist did, point them to Christ the Light.

We need to remember always that Jesus was the creator of life, and his life brings light to a fallen mankind. In His light you and I see ourselves as we really are (sinners in need of a savior). We may say to ourselves that we do not do all those terrible things that bad people do, but we must never forget that scrip­ture tells us that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Some sins seem bigger than others, and all sins make us sinners, and all sins cut us off from our Holy God. Do not minimize “little” sins. They all separate us from God, but they all can be forgiven. When we follow Jesus Christ, the Light, we can avoid walking and falling blindly into sin. His life and deeds have lit the path of life for all of us. He, in mercy and righteousness, removes the darkness of sin from our lives.

 

Have you allowed the light of Christ to shine in your life? Today, I challenge you to let Jesus Christ bring light into your life and you will never need to stumble in darkness again.

 

Application

 

The first reading reveals that the Spirit of the Lord is upon us.  In the second reading, we are called to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful in all circumstances. In the Gospel, Jesus is the Light, and we are called to reflect that light.

 

Look around you at your family, relatives, friends, or community and pick out someone who is hurting, alone or im­prisoned. Write or visit that person and tell him that you will continue to pray for him and, if possible, with him. You may be able to take someone to Mass or bring Eucharist to someone. You may be able to read this week’s lesson to someone who cannot see or read. Remember, you are called to reflect the Light of Jesus, and his Holy Spirit has anointed you. Go forth and make dis­ciples of all nations, (Math. 28:19), especially those in your own family.

 

 

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT (Dec. 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 ISAIAH 40:1-5, 9-11 FIRST READING 

 

(“Cry out at the top of your voice.”) 

 

  1. What does the Lord say to give to his people? Isaiah 40:1 

 

 

  1. What does God give us in our afflictions, thus enabling us to give others in their troubles?   2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

 

 

  1. What two things are we to do to Jerusalem, and what has Jerusalem received from the hand of the Lord? Isaiah 40:2

 

 

  1. Who speaks for us, and what do we proclaim? Matthew 10:20 and 10:27 

 

 

  1. What does a voice crying out in the desert say?  Isaiah 40:3

 

 

  1. What shall happen to every valley, mountain and hill, the rugged land and the rough country?  Isaiah 40:4

 

  1. Then what shall be revealed, who shall see it,  and who has spoken?   Isaiah 40:5 

 

 

  1. What does the Father give the Son, and what does the Son give the Father?  How did the Son give this to the Father? John 17:1 and John 17:4

 

 

  1. What are we to do at the top of our voice, what are we not to do, and what are we to say?   Isaiah 40:9 

 

 

  1. Who comes with power ruling by his strong arm, and what is with him and before him?   Isaiah 40:10

 

 

  1. What does a shepherd do to his flock and lambs, where does he carry them, and what does he lead with care? Isaiah 40:11

 

 

  1. What is the eye in Matthew 6:22?

 

 

Personal – What have your actions been crying out about our Lord to others?  How have you experienced the Lord carrying you in his bosom and leading the ewes with care? 

 

 

 

THIRD DAY                     READ 2 PETER 3:8-14                    SECOND READING 

 

(“The Lord does not delay in keeping his promise.”) 

 

  1. In the Lord’s eyes, what is one day?   2 Peter 3:8

 

 

  1. What does the Lord not delay in keeping?   2 Peter 3:9

 

 

  1. What promise was made to us and to our children?  Acts 2:38-39 

 

 

  1. What does the Lord show us, and what does he want? 2 Peter 3:9 

 

 

  1. How does Jesus Christ display all his patience? 1 Timothy 1:15-16 

 

 

  1. How will the day of the Lord come, and what will happen on that day?   2 Peter 3:10

 

 

  1. What will happen to everything, and what are people to do? 2 Peter 3:11 and Acts 3:19

 

 

  1. How are we to be in our conduct and devotion while looking for the coming of the day of the Lord? 2 Peter 3:11-12

 

 

  1. How do we become the very holiness of God? 2 Cor. 5:21

 

 

  1. What does scripture say about being holy?   Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:16.

 

 

  1. What do we await, and what will reside?  2 Peter 3:13

 

 

Personal – How have you experienced God’s patience with you? How have you shown patience to your parents, children, friends, schoolmates or co-workers in revealing God’s truth to them and their choice to accept or reject it? 

 

 

FOURTH DAY             READ MARK 1:1-8                GOSPEL 

 

(“…He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”) 

 

  1. What begins here, and what is written in Isaiah as to who is being sent and for what reason?   Mark 1:1-2

 

 

  1. What was the herald’s voice in the desert crying?  Mark 1:3

 

 

  1. What message has God entrusted to us?  2 Corinthians 5:19

 

 

  1. What does Jesus say the Father has done to him, and in turn, does to us?   John 17:18

 

 

  1. Who appeared in the desert, what was he proclaiming, and to what did it lead?   Mark 1:4 

 

 

  1. What is to be preached to all the nations?  Luke 24:47

 

 

  1. Who went out to John, what was happening to them as they confessed their sins?   Mark 1:5

 

 

  1. To whom are we to confess our sins?   James 5:16

 

 

  1. With what was John clothed, what did he wear around his waist, and what was his food?   Mark 1:6

 

 

  1. With what are we to cloth ourselves, and what is our food? Ephesians 6:13-17, John 4:32-34

 

 

  1. What was the theme of John’s preaching, and in what has he baptized us?  Mark 1:8, John 1:29-33

 

 

Personal – Examine your conscience. Write out what way you have seen yourself sin, and how you have experienced being baptized in water and the Holy Spirit? 

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 85:9-14 

 

(“I will hear what God proclaims.”) 

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 85:9-14. 

 

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 

 

ISAIAH 40:1-5, 9-11 

 

This week’s reading from Isaiah comes from a section sometimes called Second Isaiah (Chapters 40-55) and is generally considered to have been written by an unknown poet who prophesied near the end of the Babylonian exile.  In 586 B.C. the city of Jerusalem fell, the walls and palaces were destroyed and the sacred temple burned.  King Zedikiah and the rest of the population were marched to Babylon in chains.  God has called his prophet to speak tenderly and to comfort his chosen people. 

 

The seeds of comfort can take root in the soil of adversity. When it seems as if your life is falling apart, ask God to hold you and comfort you. You may still experience the trials and tribulations of adversity, but you may find God’s comfort right in the midst of it. To some, the only comfort people have is the knowledge that someday they will be with God. I speak now to those who seem to be experiencing very little signs of hope concerning their physical health, in their imprisonment or in their marriage. Hold on. Appreciate the comfort and encouragement found in His word, His presence, His Eucharist and his people. 

 

  The voice of hope calls out to us, as well as to the people in this reading, to prepare a straight and smooth way. This means removing obstacles in our life that prevent us from receiving Jesus into our heart. The desert in our life today can be a picture of life’s trials and suffering. We are not immune to them, but because of our faith and because of God’s promise (John 3:16), we need not be hindered by life’s obstacles.  

 

John the Baptist told the people to prepare to see God work, even in our lives now (Matt. 3:3). He challenged the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, and that is what Advent is about for us today. We are called to prepare for the coming of the Christ into our hearts. We are to prepare for the Incarnation of God. We need to smooth our crooked ways, and we do that by asking God to forgive us for our crooked ways and attitudes. In today’s reading, people are compared to grass and flowers that fade away (Is. 40:6-8).  Our lives are mortal, but God’s word is eternal and unfailing. 

 

2 PETER 3:8-14 

This reading is a message of hope. The people of Peter’s time faced persecution and longed every day to be delivered. Peter tells them that a thousand years is like a day to the Lord. He was telling them that God is not slow and that he just is not on our timetable. Jesus is waiting so that more sinners will repent and turn to Him. He displays His incredible patience by dealing with us so mercifully. We are not called just to sit around and wait for Him. Rather, we are called to go forth and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). The disciples realized that the time was short, and there was a lot of important work to do. 

 

Today that message is being put forth in a sense of urgency. Here on earth we must plan our life as if we will live forever, and live it as if today was our last day. We are told that Christ’s return will be sudden and terrible for those who do not believe in Him and obey His commandments. Do you spend more of your time piling up earthly possessions, or are you striving to bring to others a message of hope? 

 

We are called to bring our brothers and sisters back into repentance. Then they too will experience the incredible forgiveness of the Lord. God’s purpose for mankind is not destruction, but creation. He will burn the heavens and earth with fire, and He will create them anew. We cannot hurry God’s return, even if we are suffering now. He is waiting patiently for more of His rebellious children to repent. We can bring more people to faith in Him by the way we live our lives, especially if we are suffering. He wants us to be holy simply because He is holy, and He wants only the best for us. 

 

MARK 1:1-8 

 

Mark was not one of the twelve apostles, but he probably knew Jesus personally. This gospel is written in the form of a fast-paced story to Christians in Rome where there were many gods. Mark wanted the Romans to know that Jesus is the one, true Son of God.  

We see John the Baptist announce Jesus’ coming and call for the people to straighten out their lives and give up their selfish ways of living. The people were called to renounce their sins, seek God’s forgiveness, and establish a personal relationship with God by believing and obeying his holy word. Today we are called to do the same, acknowledge that we are sinful, and renounce our sins. We can experience God’s forgiveness only when we admit we were wrong. John the Baptist was very popular, and his message of repentance was heard and accepted by many. Repentance does not mean “I am sorry;” it means “a change of attitude.” 

 

John was telling everyone to prepare for someone who was coming who would be far more effective than he. John told the people that he was not fit even to tie the straps of this man’s sandals. He told the people that the Messiah would baptize them with water and the Spirit. The purpose of John’s preaching was to prepare people to accept Jesus as God’s Son. John challenged the people into a new personal relationship with God when he called the people to confess individually. 

 

Where are you right now? Is change needed in your life before you can hear and understand Jesus’ message? You have to admit that you are sinful in order to receive forgiveness. You must have true repentance to have true faith. 

 

Application 

  

This week’s first reading tells us that our God is a God who comforts.  The second reading reveals that God deals with each one of us mercifully. The Gospel shows that the response to repentance leads to the power of forgiveness. 

 

This week, let us acknowledge to those around us some of our very obvious flaws. Take a specific fault, like making judgments, and tell them that you are going to change, and if your friends see you being judgmental, to point it out to you in love. This will make a dramatic improvement with your loved ones, those in your work area or school. Be specific and pick the small flaws first, then pray and change (repent). Your change, not your words or tears, will bring forgiveness. Try this with smoking, drinking, lying, swearing, etc. Do something beautiful for God – change (repent). 

 

Lectio Divina — First Sunday in Advent (Dec. 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 
  1. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you. 
  1. 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 Mark 13:33-37 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful!
Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” 

 

  1. What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

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

 

 

Share your reflection with someone. 

PRIMER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO (Dec. 3) – CICLO B 

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PRIMER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO – CICLO B
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?
2. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?
SEGUNDO DIA LEE ISAIAS 63:16, 17, 19 y 64:2-7                    PRIMERA LECTURA
(“…todos nosotros fuimos hechos por tus manos.”)
1. ¿Qué es el Señor para nosotros y cómo sera llamado por siempre?   Isaias 63:16
2. ¿Cómo nos ha redimido Dios?   1 Pedro 1:18-21
3. ¿Qué les pasa a nuestros corazones cuando nos apartamos de Sus caminos?   Isaias 63:17
4. ¿Qué será destruido y por qué?   Ezequiel 6:8-10
5. ¿Qué es lo que endurece nuestros corazones y nos aparta de Su descanso?   Hebreos 3:15-19, concentrandose en versículo 19
6. ¿Cómo habia estado la gente por mucho tiempo? Isaias 63:19
7. ¿Por qué pensaron que no tenian esperanza? Isaias 64:2-3
8. ¿Qué es lo que ningun oido ha oido ni ningun ojo visto y que es lo que Dios esta haciendo?  Isaias 64:3 y tambien 1 Corintios 2:9
9. ¿A quien visita El Señor? ¿Por qué se enojo El Señor?   Isaias 64:4
10. ¿A que nos parecemos todos y que nos arrastra como el viento? Isaias 64:5
11. ¿Por qué nadie te invoca o se despierta para buscarte y a merced de qué estamos? Isaias 64:6
12. ¿Por las manos de quién fuimos hechos?  Isaias 64:7
Personal – Has apartado tu corazón, de alguna manera, del camino del Señor? ¿Hay culpas en tu vida? ¿De qué modo ha tratado Dios de romper ese corazon de piedra y hacerlo un corazón de carne?
TERCER DIA LEE 1 CORINTIOS 1:3-9                        SEGUNDA LECTURA
(“Dios es fiel.”)
1. ¿Cuáles son las dos cosas que vienen de Dios nuestro Padre y de nuestro Senor Jesucristo?   1 Corintios 1:3
2. ¿Qué abunda mas que el pecado? ¿Qué efecto tendrá en el mundo y adonde nos llevará?   Romanos 5:20-21
3. ¿Qué nos dá Jesús?   Juan 14:27
4. ¿Por quiénes agradece a Dios, Pablo y por qué? ¿Qué hemos recibido de Jesús?   I Corintios 1:4-5
5. ¿De quién será amigo el rey?   Proverbios 22:11
6. ¿Quién gana sabiduria y quién busca la ciencia?  Proverbios 18:15
7. ?En qué se hacian firmes los Corintios y qué no les faltaba?   1 Corintios 1:6-7
8. ¿Qué vino al mundo y que trajo para todos? ¿Cómo nos educa?  Tito 2:11-14
9. ¿Qué hará Jesús para que podamos recibirlo, sin reporche, el dia en que El venga?   1 Corintios 1:8
10. ¿Qué dice Dios que hará por ti?   Isaias 41:10
11. ¿Quién es fiel? ¿A qué nos ha llamado?   I Corintios 1:9
Personal – ¿El modo en que hablas a tu familia, amigos, compañeros de escuela, y de trabajo, ha sido una reflexión de los dones espirituales que Dios te ha dado?
CUARTO DIA LEE MARCOS 13:33-37                                                     EVANGELIO
(“Manténganse Vigilantes!”)
1. ¿Qué debes hacer? ¿Y qué es lo que no sabes? Marcos 13:33, tambien Mateo 24:42
2. ¿En qué debes meditar y fijarte? ¿De qué debes cuidarte? 1 Timoteo 4:15-16
3. ¿Qué hace el viajero con sus sirvientes antes de partir? ¿Qué manda al portero?   Marcos 13:34
4. ¿Cómo se llamó María a si misma?   Lucas 1:38
5. ¿Qué dijo Jesús que debe hacer el que quiera servirle, dónde estara El, y que hará su Padre?   Juan 12:26
6. ¿Qué es lo que no sabemos? ¿Cómo no quisieramos que nos encuentre?   Marcos 13:35-36
7. ¿Qué nos dice a todos?   Marcos 13:37
8. ¿Dé que les dijo Jesús a sus discípulos que desconfiaran? Lucas 12:1
9. ¿Por qué nos dice Pablo que debemos estar alertas?  Hechos 20:30-31
10. ¿Por qué otra razon debemos estar sobrios y alertas?   1 Pedro 5:8
11. ¿Qué será lo que cuide nuestros corazones y nuestras mentes?   Filipenses 4:7
Personal – ¿Qué tan atento has estado a la hipocresia y las mentiras de quienes no siguen la palabra de Dios? ¿En esta semana, de que modo has hecho uso de Su Palabra para combatir esto?
QUINTO DIA LEE SALMO 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
(…tú nos devolverás a la vida e invocaremos tu Nombre.”)
Leé y medita el Salmo 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19.
¿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
ISAIAS 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7
Los creyentes que quedaban (aquellos que sobrevivieron el cautiverio en Babilonia) le pidieron a Dios varios favores. Uno fue que tuviera compasión de ellos y otro que castigara a sus enemigos. Esta lectura describe la gloria de Dios como si fuera un fuego que consume y que quema todo lo que está en su camino. Su poder es descrito de una manera imponente y nadie ha visto ni oido a un Dios como El. Se daban cuenta que habiendo sido tan impuros no habia modo de que se salvaran por sus propios méritos. La misericordia de Dios era la unica esperanza que tenian y se agarraban a ella desesperadamente. Cuando Dios se encontró con Moisés hubo rayos, humo y temblor de tierra.
Si hoy fueras tu a encontrarte con Dios, Su gloria te abrumaria, especialmente si miras lo que llamamos buenas acciones o a nuestra “ropa sucia.” El pecado nos hace impuros, nos endurece el corazón y finalmente nos lleva a la muerte espiritual y a veces, tambien, a la muerte física. Debido a nuestros pecados estamos vestidos en harapos y no podemos sentarnos a la mesa del rey. Aun nuestros mayores esfuerzos no son suficientes. Dios sale adelante como el alfarero y remodela el barro. Toma nuestro corazon endurecido y lo rompe a traves de la enfermedad, la humillación, el dolor, el sufrimiento y la derrota. Dios se compadeció entonces de los fieles que quedaban y hará lo mismo ahora. Pero debemos estar abiertos al arrepentimiento verdadero. En el mensaje de hoy la gente no cambió hasta que aprendió duras lecciones. Tú necesitas reflexionar ahora y preguntarte si tu corazón desea a Dios con ansias, lo suficiente para cambiar esas cosas dentro de tí que lo hieren y lo entristecen. Necesitara Dios “romperte” el corazón para traerte al verdadero arrepentimiento?
1 CORINTIOS 1:3-9
La lectura de hoy revela claramente que en un mundo de ruido, confusión e increibles presiones, la gente suspiraba por la paz. En el mundo actual esa hambre y sed de paz también se encuentra en los corazones de la mayoria de la gente. Sin embargo muchos se dan por vencidos pensando que eso es imposible, pero la posibilidad de encontrar la paz de mente y corazón está a nuestro alcance a traves de la fé en Jesucristo.
Revisemos por un momento nuestra descripción de fé. La Fé es la respuesta viviente al poder y presencia de Dios en nuestra vida. En otras palabras, tenemos que responder a la presencia de Dios para utilizar plenamente el poder del Espiritu Santo.
Pablo tuvo algunas palabras fuertes para la gente de Corinto, pero empezó esta carta con una nota muy positiva. Les confirma que pertenecen a la familia de Dios y que tienen el poder del Espíritu en sus vidas. Los miembros de la iglesia de Corinto tenian todos los dones espirituales que necesitaban para vivir una vida Cristiana, para ser testigos de Cristo y para defenderse contra el paganismo que habia en Corinto.
Nosotros tambien tenemos los mismos dones y el mismo poder ya que tenemos ese mismo Espíritu Santo. Cristo nos llama a seguirlo y El nos promete la salvación. Esta salvación no se ganó debido a algo que nosotros hicimos muy bien. Fue Su muerte en la cruz y su resurrección las que lo garantizan.
Mas adelante en esta misma carta a los Corintios, Pablo los amonesta pues empezaron a discutir acerca de cuales de los dones eran los mas importantes (1 Corintios Capitulos 12-14). Confia en lo que se te ha prometido y si crees y tienes fé en Cristo, experimentarás la realidad y el honor del compromiso de Dios.Dios amo tanto al mundo que le dió a Su Unico Hijo para que todo aquel que creyera en El no muriera sino que tuviera vida eterna.
MARCOS 13:33-37
Jesus nos muestra Su confianza y obediencia absoluta a Su Padre Celestial cuando nos dice que ni aun El sabia cuando llegaria el fin. El afirma Su humanidad cuando voluntariamente se despoja del uso ilimitado de Sus atributos divinos. El énfasis en la declaración de Jesús está en que solo el Padre sabe y es un secreto que revelará cuando El quiera. Jesús nos está realmente diciendo que ninguna interpretación de las Escrituras o de la ciencia puede predecir el dia exacto, el único que lo sabe es Su Padre Celestial. Jesús nos enseña la preparación y no hay necesidad de hacer cálculos.
Mira a tu alrededor y fijate cuantas preparaciones hay para una boda, para el nacimiento de un hijo, para un cambio de carrera o para arrendar o comprar una casa. El regreso de Jesús es el evento mas importante en nuestras vidas y necesitas preguntarte a ti mismo si pones la importancia debida en prepararte para Su regreso. Podemos prepararnos a traves del estudio de su Palabra Santa, siguiendo las enseñanzas de la Iglesia y recibiendo los sacramentos. Se nos ha dicho como prepararnos por medio de las Escrituras y la tradicion sagrada. No nos dejemos llevar por argumentos confusos o interpretaciones inútiles de lo que pasará al final de los tiempos. Lo que debemos hacer es ser testigos de Cristo a tiempo o fuera de tiempo y estar preparados para la persecusión (Marcos 13:13).
En especial debemos estar alertas moralmente y ser obedientes a los mandamientos de Dios. La Escritura lo dice, estar sobrio y alerta. Tu oponente, el diablo, está rondando como leon rugiente buscando a quien devorar (1 Pedro 5:8). Los leones buscan victimas que esten solas, enfermas o que no esten alertas. Estar en compañia de Cristianos que te apoyen es un buen modo de estar preparado. Este pasaje nos trae realmente la fuerza del vivir correctamente. O sea vivir por Dios en un mundo que ignora a Dios.
Aplicación
La primera lectura de esta semana nos dice que la gracia de Dios nos cambia de pecadores a santos. En la segunda lectura vemos que la paz se puede obtener únicamente a traves de Jesucristo. El Evangelio nos advierte que nos preparemos y no nos preocupemos en calcular cuando será el retorno de Cristo.
Esta semana estáte alerta y fijate si hay hipocresia en lo que hablan tu o algun miembro de tu familia, de tus compañeros de trabajo o de escuela. Primero hazles saber lo mucho que Dios los ha bendecido y luego demuestrales que la hipocresia es una herramienta de la que se vale Satanás y cómo éste está esperando para devorar a aquellos que no están alertas.
Estáte muy alerta a el hecho de que lo que digas y hagas será como una muestra para los demas de que tu estarás preparado para cuando Cristo regrese.

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT (Dec. 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 ISAIAH 63:16, 17, 19; 64:2-7          FIRST READING

 

(“…we are the work of your hands.”)

 

  1. What is the Lord to us, and what is he named forever? Isaiah 63:16

 

 

  1. How has God redeemed us? 1 Peter 1:18-21

 

 

  1. What happens to our hearts when we wander from the Lord’s ways?  Isaiah 63:17

 

 

  1. What has to be broken, and for what reason? Ezekial 6:8-10

 

 

  1. What hardens our hearts and keeps us from his rest? See Hebrews 3:15-19, concentrating on verse 19

 

 

  1. Whom have they been like for too long? Isaiah 63:19

 

 

 

  1. For what was it they thought they could not hope? Isaiah 64:2-3

 

 

 

  1. What has no ear heard nor eye seen, and what is God doing?  Is. 64:3 and also 1 Corinthians 2:9

 

 

  1. With what were the Israelites concerned that the Lord might eet them doing, and of what might they be mindful? What is the Lord, and what are we?   Isaiah 64:4

 

 

  1. Like what had all of them become, and what carries them away like the wind?   Isaiah 64:5

 

 

  1. Who calls upon your name and rouses himself to cling to you, and for what reason?   Isaiah 64:6

 

 

  1. We are the work of whose hands? Isaiah 64:7

 

 

Personal – In what way have you hardened your heart to the way of the Lord, and is guilt a part of your life?  How has God been trying to break through the heart of stone and make it a heart of flesh?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ 1 CORINTHIANS 1:3-9                    SECOND READING

 

(“God is faithful,”)

 

  1. What two things come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ? 1 Corinthians 1:3

 

 

  1. What has surpassed the increase of sin, and how does it reign, and through whom does it reign?  Romans 5:20-21

 

 

  1. What is Jesus’ gift to us? John 14:27

 

 

  1. Why does Paul continually thank God, and in what is it that the people have been richly blessed?                           1 Corinthians 1:4-5

 

 

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

 

 

  1. Who gains and seeks knowledge? Proverbs 18:15

 

 

 

  1. What has been confirmed among those of Corinth, and what is it the people do not lack?  1 Corinthians 1:6-7

 

 

  1. What has appeared offering salvation to all people, and what does it train us to do?  Titus 2:11-14

 

 

  1. What will God do for us so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ?   1 Corinthians 1:8

 

 

  1. What does God say he will do for us? Isaiah 41:10

 

 

  1. What is God, and to what has he called us? 1 Cor. 1:9

 

 

Personal – How has your speech to your family, friends, school mates and co-workers been a reflection of the spiritual gifts God has given you?

 

 

FOURTH DAY              READ MARK 13:33-37 GOSPEL

 

(“Be constantly on the watch!”)

 

  1. What are we to do, and what do we not know? Mark 13:33,      also Matthew 24:42

 

 

  1. What are we to attend, and what two things are we to watch?   1 Timothy 4:15-16

 

 

 

  1. Whom does a man who leaves home to travel abroad leave in charge, and how does he leave them?  What does the man order the gatekeeper to do?  Mark 13:34

 

 

  1. What did Mary call herself? Luke 1:38

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say that anyone who serves him would do, where will he be, and what will the Father do? John 12:26

 

 

  1. What do we not know, and what must we not let him do? Mark 13:35-36

 

 

  1. What does he say to us and to all? Mark 13:37

 

 

  1. Against what did Jesus tell his disciples to be on guard? Luke 12:1

 

 

  1. Against what did Paul warn us to be on guard? Acts 20:30-31

 

 

  1. For what other reason do we stay sober and alert? 1 Peter 5:8

 

 

  1. What will stand guard over our hearts and minds? Philippians 4:7

 

Personal – How alert have you been to the hypocrisy and lies of those who are not following God’s Word?  This week, in what way have you been able to use his Word to fight against this?

 

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19

 

(“Give us new life, and we will call upon your name,”)

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19.

 

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 63: 16-17, 19; 64:2-7

The faithful remnant (those who survived the Babylonian captivity) asked God for several favors. One was to show compas­sion to them and also to punish their enemies. This reading describes God’s glory as like an intense consuming fire that burns everything in its path. His power is described in awe, and no one has ever heard or seen a God like Him. The people realized that being so impure themselves, there was no way that they could be saved on their own merits. God’s mercy was the only hope that they had, and they grasped eagerly for it. When God met with Moses there was a thunderstorm, smoke, and an earthquake.

 

If God were to meet us today, His glory would overwhelm us, especially when we look at our so-called good works or filthy rags. Sin makes us unclean, it produces a hardened heart, and it ultimately leads to spiritual and sometimes physical death. Because of our sins, we are dressed in rotten rags and could not dine at the king’s table. Our best efforts still fall short. God steps forth like the potter and remakes the clay. He takes our old, hardened heart and He lets it be broken through sickness, humiliation, pain, suffering and defeat. God spared his remnant of people then and he will do the same now. But we must be open to true repentance. The people in today’s message would not change until they had learned some hard lessons. You need to reflect today and ask yourself, does your heart long for God enough to change those areas within you that displease and hurt Him? Will God have to “break” your heart in order to bring you to true repentance?

 

1 CORINTHIANS 1:3-9

Today’s reading clearly reveals that in a world of noise, confusion and incredible pressures, people long for peace. In today’s world that hunger and thirst for peace still resides in the hearts of most people. Yet, many give up the search, thinking it impossible to find, but the peace of mind and heart is avail­able through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

For a moment, let us review our description of faith. Faith is the living response to the power and presence of God in our life. In other words, we have to respond to the presence of God to utilize fully the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Paul had some strong words for the Corinthian people, but he began this letter on a very positive note. He affirms their being in the family of God and having the power of the Spirit in their lives.  The Corin­thian church members had all the spiritual gifts they needed to live the Christian life, to witness for Christ, and to stand up against the paganism of Corinth.

 

We too have those very same gifts and the same power because we have the very same Holy Spirit. We are called by Christ to come follow Him and He promised us salvation. This salvation was not because of any great accomplishment on our part. His action of dying on the cross and rising from the dead is where our guaran­tee has its source.

 

Later on in this same letter to the Corinthians, Paul admonishes the people because they began to argue over which of the gifts was more important (1 Cor. Chapters 12-14). Hold on to what has been promised to you, and if you believe and have faith in Christ, you will experience the reality and honor of God’s covenant. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that anyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

 

MARK 13:33-37

Jesus shows us his complete trust and obedience to His heavenly Father when He tells us that He did not know even the time of the end. He was affirming his humanity when He volun­tarily gave up the unlimited use of His divine attributes. The emphasis on Jesus’ statement is that only the Father knows, and the secret is God the Father’s to be revealed when He wills. Jesus is really telling us that no interpretation of scripture or science can predict the exact day which only His Heavenly Father knows. Jesus is teaching that preparation, and not calculation, is needed.

 

Look around and see how much planning goes into a wedding, the birth of a child, a career change, or the purchase or rental of a home. Jesus’ return is the most important event in our lives and we need to ask ourselves whether we place the same impor­tance on preparing for His return. We can prepare for His return through study of his Holy Word, following the teachings of the Church, and receiving the Sacraments. We are being told how to prepare by scripture and sacred tradition. We are not to be misled by confusing claims or idle interpretations of what will happen at the end of time. We are called to witness to Christ in season and out of season, and to be prepared for persecution (Mark 13:13).

 

We especially need to be morally alert and obedient to God’s commandments. Scripture tells us to stay sober and alert. Our opponent, the devil, is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Lions choose victims who are alone, sick, or not alert. Being in the company of supportive Christians is a good way of being prepared. This passage really brings home the power of right living. That is living for God in a world where God is largely ignored.

 

 

Application

 

This week’s first reading tells us that God’s grace changes us from sinners to saints.  In the second reading we see that peace is attainable only through Jesus Christ.  The Gospel warns us to prepare, and not calculate for Christ’s return.

 

This week, be alert and be aware of hypocrisy in your speech and in the speech of the members of your family, your co-workers, and school associates. First affirm this person by telling him/her how much God has blessed him/her and then witness to him/her that hypo­crisy is a tool of Satan who is waiting to devour people who are not alert.  Your speech and actions are signs to others that you will be prepared when Christ returns.

 

TRIGESIMOCUARTO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO (Nov. 26th) – CICLO A

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El Pan de Vida – Estudio de Biblia Catolico

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.

 ¿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                              EZEQUIEL 34:11-12, 15-17          PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Yo mismo les daré reposo, dice el Señor Dios.”)

  1. ¿Qué dice el Señor Dios que va a hacer cuando El se encuentre entre sus ovejas dispersas?  Ezequiel 34:11-12

 

  1. ¿Qué hará El con las que estaban dispersas cuando estaba nublado y oscuro?  Ezequiel 34:12

 

  1. ¿Qué hizo Dios cuando nosotros estábamos bajo el poder de la oscuridad? Col 1:13

 

  1. ¿Quién, dice el Señor, que apacentará Sus ovejas y les dará reposo? Ezequiel 34:15

 

  1. ¿Quién dice Jesús que es El? Juan 10:11, 14

 

  1. ¿A quiénes buscará el Señor? ¿A quiénes traerá de vuelta?  ¿A quién ha de vendar y a quién ha de curar?  Ezequiel 34:16

 

  1. ¿A qué vino el Hijo del Hombre (Jesús)? Lucas 19:10

 

  1. ¿A quién cura el Señor? Isaías 61:1

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que hace el Señor a la gorda y robusta? ¿Cómo las apacentara a todas? Ezequiel 34:16

 

  1. ¿Quién es elegido en este mundo para avergonzar a los fuertes? 1 Corintios 1:27-28

 

  1. ¿Entre quiénes juzgará el Señor Dios? Ezequiel 34:17

 

Personal – ¿Cómo has sido sanado por el Señor y de qué manera te trajo de vuelta cuando te perdiste?  ¿Qué heridas te ha vendado?  Toma unos minutos y agradécele al Señor.

 

TERCER DIA                                 1 CORINTIOS 15:20-26, 28          SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Así como en Adán todos mueren, en Cristo todos volverán a la vida.”)

  1. ¿De qué fue Cristo resucitado y de quién es El, el primer fruto? 1 Corintios 15:20

 

  1. ¿Qué dará a sus cuerpos mortales el que resucitó a Cristo y por medio de quién lo hará? Romanos 8:11

 

  1. ¿A quiénes llevará Dios junto a Jesús? 1 Tesalonicenses 4:14

 

  1. ¿Cómo vino la muerte? ¿Cómo vino la resurrección de los muertos y cuál es el orden apropiado? 1 Corintios 15:21-23

 

  1. ¿A quién escuchó Adán y qué fue lo que Dios le prohibió hacer? Génesis 3:17

 

  1. ¿A quiénes trae condenación ésta desobediencia y qué es lo que hace un simple acto justo? Romanos 5:18

 

  1. ¿Quién bajará del cielo a la señal? ¿Qué pasará a aquellos que han muerto en Cristo?  ¿Qué pasará a los que están vivos? 1 Tesalonicenses 4:16-17

 

  1. ¿Cuando llegue el fin, qué es lo que Cristo destruirá y qué entregará a Dios Padre?  1 Corintios. 15:24

 

  1. ¿Por cuánto tiempo debe reinar Cristo y cuál es el último enemigo? 1 Corintios 15:25-26

 

  1. ¿Dónde está sentado Cristo y de qué es cabeza? Efesios 1:20-23

 

  1. ¿Por medio de qué, ha robado Cristo su poder a la muerte haciendo resplandecer vida e inmortalidad? 2 Timoteo 1:10

 

  1. ¿Cuando todo esté sometido al Hijo, a quién se someterá El mismo y porqué?  1 Corintios 15:28

 

Personal – ¿Cómo fue destruido tu miedo a la muerte?  Marca en la lista siguiente aquellos a quienes escuchabas cuando tomabas decisiones: madre, padre, cónyuge, hija/o, amiga/o, párroco, o la palabra de Dios.

 

CUARTO DIA                                         MATEO 25:31-46                                EVANGELIO

(“En verdad les digo que, cuando lo hicieron con uno de estos mis hermanos mas pequeños, lo hicieron conmigo.”)

  1. Cuando el Hijo del Hombre venga en su gloria, ¿quiénes lo rodearán; dónde se sentará, y quiénes se reunirán frente a El?  Mateo 25:31-32

 

  1. ¿Los que se reunieron, cómo serán separados? Mateo 25:32-33

 

  1. ¿Cómo recibirá uno su recompensa, buena o mala? 2 Corintios 5:10

 

  1. ¿Qué dirá el Rey a aquellos que están a su diestra y por qué? Mateo 25:34-36

 

  1. ¿Qué clase de ayuno desea el Señor? Isaías 58:6-7

 

  1. ¿Quién es el virtuoso que vivirá? Ezequiel 18:5-9

 

  1. ¿Qué pidió el hombre justo al Señor y de qué lo aseguró el Rey? Mateo 25:37-40

 

  1. ¿Cómo dice Jesús que hallaremos nuestra vida y cuando recibes a otros, a quién estás recibiendo también? Mateo 10:39-40

 

  1. ¿Qué dirá el Rey a aquellos que están a la izquierda? ¿Para quiénes está el fuego eterno preparado y qué es lo que estos dejaron de hacer?  Mateo 25:41-43

 

  1. ¿Qué dice la Palabra de Dios acerca de la fe? Santiago 2:14-17

 

  1. ¿Qué preguntarán al Señor los que están a la izquierda y qué les responderá El? Mateo 25:44-45

 

  1. ¿Qué les pasará a aquellos que fueron negligentes con uno de sus pequeños y que pasará a los justos? Mateo 25:46

 

Personal – ¿De qué manera has dado alimento a los hambrientos y de beber a los sedientos?  ¿Esta semana, has acogido al forastero, vestido al desnudo, confortado al enfermo y visitado a los prisioneros?  Ora y ruega al Señor para que te revele aquellos en tu vida cotidiana que entran dentro de estas categorías.  Ruega para que El te muestre como podrías responder a las necesidades de ellos.

 

QUINTO DIA                                        SALMO 23:1-3, 5-6

(“Junto a tranquilas aguas me conduce.”)

Lee y medita en el Salmo 23:1-3, 5-6.

¿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

EZEQUIEL 34:11-12, 15-17

La lectura de hoy es una poderosa profecía dada por Dios a Ezequiel más de 500 años antes de la llegada de Cristo a la tierra.  Esta profecía fue cumplida al pie de la letra en Cristo.  Jesús fundó el nuevo rebaño, el nuevo pueblo elegido y el reino en la tierra.  Vemos en este pasaje que Dios mismo ha de ser su pastor.  El reemplazará a los pastores terrestres que fracasaron en sus deberes.  El describió la relación entre sí mismo y su pueblo bajo la imagen de las ovejas y su pastor.

Esta lectura es un consuelo enorme.  Nosotros podemos estar ciertos que Dios soberanamente tomará posesión del cargo de pastor de su rebaño disperso.  Cuando nuestros líderes nos fallan, no debemos desesperar, pero sí volvernos a Dios por ayuda.  Nunca debemos olvidar que El está siempre en control y puede, cambiar cualquier situación trágica, para producir bien para el reino. (Romanos 8:28)

Jesús nos dice que El es el Buen Pastor y que El conoce Sus ovejas y ellas lo conocen a El.  El constantemente busca a las perdidas y trae de vuelta a las extraviadas y desilusionadas.  Solo necesitamos prestar oído a su llamado en la oscuridad de nuestra alma.  Las ovejas conocen la voz de su pastor muy bien. Nosotros también necesitamos conocer la voz de nuestro Pastor.  Esto lo podemos hacer dedicándole quietamente, tiempo a solas con El cada día y escuchándole cuando El nos habla.  Necesitamos apaciguarnos y comprender que El es nuestro Dios, nuestro Pastor, nuestro Salvador, nuestro refugio, nuestra roca y nuestra fuerza.  (Salmo 46:10 y Salmo 91).

Un buen pastor cuida siempre su rebaño y lo alimenta antes de comer él mismo. Está atento a cada uno/a e inmediatamente les cura las heridas. Sana a los enfermos dándoles su amor, cuidados y atención. Necesitamos aceptar todo esto en nuestros corazones. Hoy, en muchos lugares, hay pastores que han abandonado sus manadas, mientras otros están abusando y aun matando sus rebaños. Nosotros podemos rogar por nuestros hermanos y hermanas que están viviendo tiempos de terror. Nosotros sabemos que un día el Buen Pastor, Nuestro Señor Jesús, retornará y sanará a los heridos, resucitará a los muertos y destruirá a los falsos profetas arrogantes, gordos, y robustos. (Ezequiel 34:16)

 

1 CORINTIOS 15:20-26, 28

El pasaje de hoy de 1 Corintios nos dice que la muerte vino al mundo a causa del pecado de Adán y Eva.  Mucha gente dice hoy, “¿por qué somos declarados culpables por algo que Adán hizo tantísimos siglos atrás?”  De manera que mucha gente piensa que no es justo que Dios nos juzgue por culpa del pecado de Adán; sin embargo, cada uno de nosotros confirmamos nuestra solidaridad con Adán por medio de nuestros propios pecados.  Parece ser que estamos hechos de la misma materia, propensos a rebeldía, y somos juzgados por los pecados que nosotros cometemos.

Porque todos somos pecadores, lo que necesitamos hoy no es imparcialidad, no, lo que necesitamos es misericordia.  Pablo nos dice que Cristo, con su muerte y resurrección, pagó el rescate por lo que Adán hizo.  Nosotros, los creyentes, nos hemos convertido en hermanos y hermanas de Cristo y participamos en Su resurrección.  Porque Cristo resucitó de entre los muertos, tú y todos los que creen en El pueden afrontar el mañana sin miedo.  Todos podemos mirar hacía la eternidad porque Cristo conquistará a la última enemiga y ésta es la muerte.  El papel de Cristo es el de vencer todo lo maligno en la tierra.  El venció al pecado por nosotros con Su muerte en la cruz.  En los días finales El vencerá a Satanás y todo lo diabólico.  Los acontecimientos mundiales pueden parecer totalmente fuera de control y la justicia puede ser difícil de encontrar, pero Dios está en control. Dios ha permitido que todo lo malo persista por un tiempo hasta que El mande a Jesús otra vez a la tierra.  Jesús presentará al Padre un mundo nuevo y perfecto.  La muerte no tendrá poder sobre nosotros.

Jesús nos dice, en 1 Juan 4:4, que el Espíritu en nosotros es más grande  que el que está en el mundo. Nosotros tenemos la iglesia, las sagradas escrituras y los sacramentos.  La fuente de verdad es Jesucristo y El es el mismo ayer, hoy y por siempre jamás.  (Hebreos 13:8)

 

MATEO 25:31-46

El Evangelio de hoy golpea el centro de lo que decimos creer.  Para decir que creemos tenemos que probarlo por la forma como actuamos.  Hablar con El Señor no es lo mismo que caminar con El Señor. Cuando caminamos con El Señor caminamos en las esquinas peligrosas, oscuras y solitarias de los corazones oprimidos y maltratados de la gente.

Un día Dios separará los discípulos obedientes de los falsos e incrédulos.  Hemos sido llamados a tratar a todas las personas como si fueran Jesús, y esto no es una tarea fácil.  Lo que hacemos por otros demuestra lo que realmente pensamos acerca de las palabras que Cristo nos dio – alimenten al hambriento, den amparo al destituido, visiten al enfermo y prisionero.  Otros observarán tus acciones, ¿te separarán de los falsos e incrédulos?  Jesús usó ovejas y cabras para mostrar la diferencia entre creyentes y no creyentes. Las ovejas y cabras a menudo pastoreaban juntas pero eran separadas al tiempo de la trasquila.

El Evangelio de hoy describe acciones de misericordia que todos podemos hacer cada día.  Estas son acciones simples dadas y recibidas libremente.  No tenemos excusas para descuidar a aquellos que tienen muchas necesidades y no podemos pasar esta responsabilidad a alguna agencia.  Jesús demanda un compromiso personal para atender a las necesidades de otros.  Muchos pueden decir que no tienen la oportunidad de visitar una prisión u hospital, trabajar en un dispensario de alimentos para los pobres, o en un refugio para desamparados.  Algunos hasta dicen que ellos no tienen los talentos necesarios para hacer estas cosas, pero Jesús nos pone realmente a prueba cuando dice: “Lo que hacen por el mas pequeño de estos, mis hermanos y hermanas lo hacen por mi.”

Recibimos el poder de hacer todo esto a través del Espíritu Santo que nos unge para alimentar al hambriento, libertar a los cautivos y dar vista a los ciegos (Lucas 4:8).  Esto puede ser verdad en tu propia familia y el hambre podría ser hambre de Cristo; la prisión podrían ser sus mentes humanísticas.  La ceguedad puede ser la inhabilidad de ver la verdad, la cual viene de la Sagrada Palabra de Dios (Juan 8:32). Nosotros podemos y debemos, por medio del Espíritu Santo, poner en libertad a nuestros hijos.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura de esta semana revela que el Buen Pastor es Jesucristo.  La segunda lectura nos asegura que aún en las dificultades Dios está en control.  El Evangelio nos muestra que todos podemos hacer las obras de misericordia de Dios.

Esta semana elige una obra particular de misericordia y da a otra persona.  Quizá escribirle a un prisionero o a una persona en el hospital; visitar a alguien confinado o que vive solo.  Llévale comida a una persona anciana o un amigo enfermo.  Pasa unas horas en un dispensario de alimento para pobres.  Se voluntario por un tiempo en un negocio que usa donaciones y ventas para ayudar a gente en necesidad.  Si miras realmente de cerca, hasta podrías ver a Jesús sonriéndote y diciendo, “Gracias mi fiel sirviente.”

 

Lectio Divina – Christ the King Sunday in Ordinary Time (Nov. 26th)

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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

Matthew 25:31-46 – Jesus said to His disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (Nov. 26th) – CYCLE A                        

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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 EZEKIEL 34:11-12, 15-17    FIRST READING

(“I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God.”)

  1. What does the Lord God say he will do when he finds himself among his scattered sheep?   Ezekiel 34:11-12

 

  1. What will he do to those who were scattered when it was cloudy and dark?   Ezekiel 34:12

 

  1. What did God do when we were in the power of darkness? Colossians 1:13

 

  1. Who does the Lord say will pasture his sheep and give them rest?   Ezekiel 34:15

 

  1. Who does Jesus say he is? John 10:11, 14

 

  1. Whom will the Lord seek out, whom will he bring back,whom will he bind up, and whom will he heal?  Ezekiel 34:16

 

  1. What did the Son of Man (Jesus) come to do? Luke 19:10

 

  1. Whom does the Lord heal? Isaiah 61:1

 

  1. What does the Lord do to the sleek and the strong, thus shepherding them rightly?   Ezekiel 34:16

 

  1. Who is singled out in this world to shame the strong? 1 Corinthians 1:27-28

 

  1. Between what does the Lord God judge? Ezekiel 34:17

 

Personal – How have you been healed by the Lord, and in what way has he brought you back when you went astray? What wounds has he bound up in you? Spend a few minutes in thanksgiving to the Lord.

 

THIRD DAY        READ 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26, 28    SECOND READING

(“Just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will come to life again.”)

  1. From what has Christ been raised, and of whom is he the first fruits?   1 Corinthians 15:20

 

  1. To what will he who raised Christ bring your mortal bodies, and how will he do it?   Romans 8:11

 

  1. Whom will God bring forth with Jesus from the dead? 1 Thessalonians 4:14

 

  1. How did death come, how did the resurrection of the dead come, and what is the proper order?  1 Corinthians 15:21-23

 

  1. To whom did Adam listen, and what did God forbid him to do? Genesis 3:17

 

  1. To whom did this single offense bring condemnation, and what did a single righteous act do?   Romans 5:18

 

  1. Who will come down from heaven at the word of command, what will happen to those who have died in Christ, and what will happen to the living?   1 Thesselonians 4:16-17

 

  1. When the end comes what will be destroyed, and what will be handed over to God the Father?   1 Corinthians 15:24

 

  1. How long must Christ reign, and what is the last enemy? 1 Corinthians 15:25-26

 

  1. Where is Christ seated, and of what is he the head? Ephesians 1:20-23

 

  1. Through what has Christ robbed death of its power and brought life and immortality into clear light? 2 Timothy 1:10

 

  1. When all has been subjected to the Son, to whom will he then subject himself, and why?   1 Corinthians 15:28

 

Personal – In what way has fear of death been destroyed in you? Check off on the list below those to whom you have been listening when making decisions: mother, father, wife, husband, daughte­r, son, friend, pastor, God’s Word.

 

 

FOURTH DAY            READ MATTHEW 25:31-46              GOSPEL

(“I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.”)

  1. When the Son of Man comes in his glory, who will escort him; where will he sit, and who will be assembled before him? Matthew 25:31-32

 

  1. How will those assembled be separated? Matthew 25:32-33

 

  1. How does one receive his recompense, good or bad? 2 Corinthians 5:10

 

  1. What will the king say to those on his right and for what reason?   Matthew 25:34-36

 

  1. What kind of fasting does the Lord desire? Isaiah 58:6-7

 

  1. Who is the virtuous and the one who shall live? Ezekiel 18:7-9

 

  1. What did the just man ask the Lord, and of what did the king assure him?   Matthew 25:37-40

 

  1. How does Jesus say we discover who we are, and when we welcome others, whom do we also welcome?   Matthew 10:39-40

 

  1. What will the king say to those on the left, for whom is the everlasting fire prepared, and what did they neglect to do?   Matthew 25:41-43

 

  1. What does God’s Word say about faith? James 2:14-17

 

  1. What will those on the left ask, and what will he answer?      Matthew 25:44-45

 

  1. What will happen to those who neglected one of the least ones, and what will happen to the just?   Matthew 25:46

 

Personal – In what ways have you given food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty? This week, have you welcomed a stranger, clothed the naked, comforted the sick, and visited those in prison? Pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you those in your everyday life who fit into these categories. Ask him how you might respond to them.

 


FIFTH DAY            READ PSALM 23:1-3, 5-6

(“Beside restful waters he leads me;”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 23:1-3, 5-6.

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

EZEKIEL 34:11-12, 15-17

Today’s reading is a powerful prophecy given by God to Ezekiel over 500 years before Christ came on earth. This prophecy was fulfilled to the letter in Christ. Jesus founded the new sheepfold, the new chosen people, and the kingdom on earth. We see in this passage that God himself would be their shepherd. He would replace the earthly shepherds that had failed in their duty. He described the relationship between his people and himself under the image of sheep and shepherd.

This reading is a tremendous comfort. We can be assured that God will sovereignly take over as pastor of the scat­tered flock. When our leaders fail us, we must not despair, but turn to God for help. We must never forget that he is still in control and can turn even this tragic situation over to produce g­ood for the kingdom. (Rom. 8:28)

Jesus tells us that he is the Good Shepherd and that he knows his sheep and they know him. He constantly seeks out the lost and brings back the strayed and disillusioned. We need only to listen to his call in the darkness of our soul. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice very well. We need to know our shepherd’s voice also. We can do this by spending quiet time alone with him each day and listening to him speak to us. We need to be still and realize that he is our God, our shepherd, our savior, our refuge, our rock, and our strength (Psalm 46:10 and Psalm 91).

A good shepherd always takes care of his flock, and he feeds them before he eats. He notices each one and immediately binds up any wounds. He heals the sick by giving them his love, skills and attention. We need to take all this into our heart. Today, in many places, there are shepherds who have abandoned their flock, while others are abusing and even killing their flock. We can pray for our brothers and sisters who are going through this time of terror. We know that one day the Good Shepherd, Our Lord Jesus, will return and he will heal the wounded, raise the dead, and will destroy the arrogant, fat, sleek, false shepherds (Ezekiel 34:16).

 

 

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26, 28

Today’s passage from 1 Corinthians tells us that death came into the world as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. Today many people say, “How can we be declared guilty of something Adam did so many centuries ago?” So many people today think it is not right for God to judge us because of Adam’s sin, yet each of us confirms our solidarity with Adam by our own sins. We seem to be made of the same stuff, prone to rebel, and we are judged for the sins we commit.

Because we are all sinners, what we need today is not fairness; no, what we need is mercy. Paul tells us that Christ, through his dying and rising, paid the ransom for what Adam did. We who believe have become Christ’s brothers and sisters and share in his resurrection. Because Christ did rise from the dead, you and all who believe in him can face tomorrow without fear. We all can face eternity because Christ will conquer the ultimate enemy and that is death. Christ’s role is to defeat all evil on earth. He defeated sin for us with his death on the cross. In the final days he will defeat Satan and all evil. World events may seem totally out of control, and justice may be very hard to find, but God is in control. God has allowed evil to remain for a time until he sends Jesus back to earth again. Jesus will present to the Father a new and perfect world. Death need have no claim on us.

Jesus tells us in 1 John 4:4 that the Spirit in us is greater than he that is in the world. We have the church, sacred Scripture, and the sacraments. The source of truth is Jesus Christ, and he is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb­rews 13:8).

 

MATTHEW 25:31-46

Today’s Gospel strikes at the very core of what we say we believe. To say that we believe is proved by how we act. To talk with the Lord does not mean to walk with the Lord. When we walk with the Lord we walk in the dark, dangerous, lonely corners of oppressed and beaten people’s hearts.

One day God will separate his obedient followers from the pretenders and unbelievers. We are called to treat all persons whom we encounter as if they are Jesus, and this is no easy task. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’ words to us – feed the hungry, give the homeless shelter, visit the sick and imprisoned. You will be observed by others, and will your actions separate you from the pretenders and unbe­lievers? Jesus used sheep and goats to show the division between believers and unbelievers. Sheep and goats often grazed together but were separated when it came shearing time.

Today’s Gospel describes acts of mercy that we all can do every day. They are simple acts freely given and freely received. We have no excuse to neglect those in deep need, and we cannot hand over this responsibility to some agency. Jesus demands personal involvement in caring for the needs of others. Many people might say that they do not have the opportunity to visit a prison or hospital, work in a soup kitchen, or even a shelter for the homeless. Some even say that they do not have the special talents needed for this, but Jesus really lays it on the line when he says, “What you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do unto me.”

We get the power to do this through the Holy Spirit who anoints us to feed the hungry, set the captives free, and give sight to the blind (Luke 4:18). This could be right in your own family and the hunger might be for Christ; the prison might be their humanistic minds. The blindness may be their inability to see the truth which comes from God’s Holy Word (John 8:32). We can and we must, through the Holy Spirit, set our children free.

 

Application

This week’s first reading reveals the Good Shepherd is Christ. The second reading assures us that even in turmoil God is still in control. The Gospel shows us that all of us can do God’s holy works of mercy.

This week pick out a particular work of mercy and give of yourself to another person. Maybe write to a prisoner or a person in a hospital. Visit a shut-in or someone who lives alone. Bring a meal to an elderly person or a sick friend. Spend a few hours at a soup kitchen. Volunteer some time in a thrift shop that uses its donations and sales to help others in need. If you look real closely, you might just see Jesus smiling at you and saying, “Thank you, my faithful servant.”