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TERCER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO (Dec. 11th) – CICLO A

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El Pan de Vida – Estudio de Biblia Catolico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

TERCER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO – CICLO A

 

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA                                           LEE ISAIAS 35:1-6, 10                                  PRIMERA LECTURA

(“La alegría y la felicidad los acompañarán.”)

  1. ¿Qué exaltará y florecerá y por qué? Isaías 35:1-2

 

  1. ¿Cuál es la respuesta al ver la gloria del Señor? Isaías 35:2

 

  1. ¿Qué debemos hacer con las manos que son frágiles y las rodillas que son débiles? Isaías 35:3

 

  1. ¿Qué les debemos decir a los que tienen miedo en sus corazones? Isaías 35:4

 

  1. ¿Por qué no debemos temer? Isaías 35:4, 41:10 y Zacarías 8:13

 

  1. ¿Qué les pasará a los ojos de los ciegos y los oídos de los sordos? Isaías 35:5

 

  1. ¿Qué les pasará a los cojos y a la lengua de los mudos? Isaías 35:6

 

  1. ¿Quién regresará y qué entrarán haciendo en Zión? Isaías 35:10

 

  1. ¿Con qué serán coronados, y que se alejará de ellos? Isaías 35:10

 

Personal – ¿En qué forma te ven regocijándote en tu vida los de tu familia, tus amistades o tus compañeros de trabajo? ¿Cómo puedes, de una manera alegre, demostrar tu aprecio por lo que Dios ha hecho por ti?

 

 

TERCER DIA                                            LEE SANTIAGO 5:7-10                             SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Sean también pacientes y valientes, porque la venida del Señor está cerca.”)

  1. ¿Qué debemos ser hasta la venida del Señor? Santiago 5:7

 

  1. ¿Qué hace el labrador? Santiago 5:7

 

  1. ¿Qué debes de hacer tú también y por qué? Santiago 5:8

 

  1. ¿Qué dice 1 Corintios 13:14 acerca de la paciencia?

 

  1. ¿Qué no debes hacer y por qué? Santiago 5:9

 

  1. ¿Quién está de pie en la puerta? Santiago 5:9

 

  1. ¿Quién es el que nos va a juzgar? 1 Corintios 4:5

 

  1. ¿Para qué ha separado Dios a Jesús? Hechos 10:37-42

 

  1. ¿Quiénes son nuestros modelos en el sufrimiento? Santiago 5:10

 

  1. ¿En nombre de quién hablaron los profetas? Santiago 5:10

 

Personal – ¿En qué forma has sufrido por hablar en el nombre de Jesús? ¿En qué forma has sido modelo para tu familia, amistades o compañeros del trabajo? ¿Cómo entra la paciencia en tu vida? Reflexiona en esto.

 

 

CUARTO DIA                                               LEE MATEO 11:2-11                                                     EVANGELIO

(“Se predica la Buena Nueva a los desdichados”)

  1. ¿Dónde estaba Juan cuando se dio cuenta de los trabajos que Cristo estaba haciendo y a quién envió a hacerle una pregunta a Jesús? Mateo 11:2

 

  1. ¿Cuál era el mensaje de Juan y porqué estaba en la prisión? Mateo 3:1-2 14:3-4

 

  1. ¿Cuál era la pregunta que Juan envió a sus discípulos a hacerle a Jesús? Mateo 11:3

 

  1. ¿Qué respondió Jesús, especialmente sabiendo quién les ha estado predicando las Buenas Nuevas?   Mateo 11:4-5

 

  1. ¿Cuáles dos cosas les dijo Jesús que le reportaran a Juan y quién es bendito? Mateo 11:4, 6

 

  1. ¿A quién le pertenece el reino de Dios? Lucas 6:20

 

Personal – ¿En qué forma estás siendo bendecido(a) por medio de lo que escuchas y ves que está pasando a tu alrededor?

 

  1. Mientras los mensajeros se iban, ¿acerca de quién le habló Jesús a la muchedumbre, y qué pregunta les hizo concerniente a lo que ellos estaban buscando? Mateo 11:7-9

 

  1. ¿Qué aseguró Jesús a Juan y qué dice la escritura acerca de Juan? Mateo 11:9-10

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús que ha hecho la historia? Mateo 11:11

 

  1. ¿A quién considera Jesús más grande que Juan Bautista? Mateo 11:11

 

Personal – ¿En qué forma te reafirma Jesús por las acciones que has tomado al tratar con los que están a tu alrededor?

 

 

QUINTO DIA                                                   LEE EL SALMO 146:6-10

(“El Señor libera a los oprimidos”)

Lee y medita el Salmo 146:6-10.

 

¿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

ISAIAS 35:1-6, 10

Isaías ha dado un mensaje de juicio en todas las naciones en casi todos los treinta y cuatro capítulos anteriores. Su mensaje incluye Judea e Israel constantemente rechazando al Dios de Abraham, Jacob y Moisés. Hubo tiempos de alivio y restauración en la historia del pueblo escogido pero estos parecían ser solamente en los momentos más difíciles. Un grupo pequeño de fieles creyentes prevalecían durante estos tiempos de la ira y juicio de Dios.

En este pasaje vemos a Isaías trayéndole a la gente una visión de esperanza, belleza y ánimo. Se les muestra un Dios de juicio, pero también se les muestra un Dios de bondad increíble. Vemos a un Dios que es perfecto en su amor e íntegro en su odio al pecado. Dios ha mostrado su amor por todo esto que El ha creado por medio de su piedad interminable. Muchos han fallado en responderle a su amor por las tentaciones del mundo. El ha extendido su amor incomparable y su bondad infinita para todos los que se arrepientan y regresen a El. También nosotros gozamos de los beneficios de su piedad, y también nosotros seremos parte del reino final, el cuál se describe tan hermosamente en este pasaje.

Este será el tipo de mundo que tú y yo esperaremos después del juicio, cuando toda la creación se regocije en Dios. El razonamiento y los tiempos de tribulación terminan con el principio de este pasaje. La vida después del juicio final será tranquila y alegre porque estaremos en “casa” alabando al Dios viviente por los siglos de los siglos. Aún ahora mientras leemos esto, Jesucristo, nuestro Señor y Salvador, está preparando un lugar para nosotros (Juan 14:1-6) y está preparándonos el camino. El caminará con nosotros en este camino a “casa”. Este camino irá del desierto del sufrimiento a las bendiciones de la vida eterna. Solamente se puede viajar en el cuando seguimos a Dios. Nuestro Señor Jesús nunca dejará de señalarnos el camino. El está siempre a nuestro lado mientras caminamos. Vamos a seguir esa visión. Permitamos que nuestro camino sea santo. Vamos a responder todos al llamado de Dios y guiar a otros a la carretera santa de Dios que lleva al cielo.

 

 

SANTIAGO 5:7-10

Para entender este pasaje uno tiene que darse cuenta que la iglesia temprana vivía en la esperanza del regreso inmediato de Jesucristo. Santiago está exhortando a la gente para que sean pacientes en los pocos años que quedaban. El habla acerca del granjero que tiene que esperar pacientemente por la primera y última lluvia para que su cosecha madure. El granjero necesita mucha paciencia para esperar hasta que la naturaleza haga su trabajo, y el Cristiano necesita mucha paciencia en su vida hasta que Cristo venga de nuevo. Durante este tiempo de sembrar y cosechar deben de confirmar su fe, al apoyarse y ayudarse uno al otro en todas las circunstancias. Un granjero dependía bastante de la ayuda de sus vecinos a la hora de la cosecha y el apoyo era muy necesario, no las críticas.

Hoy en día no tenemos muchos granjeros, pero todavía estamos ocupados sembrando las semillas de la vida. También nosotros debemos de estar listos para ayudar a nuestro vecino, no solamente a la hora de la cosecha, sino también en los tiempos de desastre. La iglesia temprana estaba equivocada pensando que Jesús regresaría dentro de una generación, pero el llamado a apoyarse y amarse uno al otro es todavía una gran parte del camino Cristiano. Es muy interesante notar que ambos los Cristianos y los granjeros deben vivir por medio de la fe. Mucha gente culpa a otros cuando las cosas empiezan a ir mal en sus vidas (Génesis 3:12,13). El no querer tener nuestra propia parte de responsabilidad es la causa de que muchos ataquen y culpen a otros. Este método es más fácil y más visible, pero también es destructivo y pecador.

Necesitamos reflexionar en los que se está diciendo en este pasaje y aplicarlo a nuestras propias vidas. Lo que se está diciendo es que antes de que cualquiera de nosotros juzgue a otros deberíamos estar muy al tanto de que Cristo, el juez real, vendrá a evaluarnos (Mateo 7:1-5). Nuestra paciencia necesita estar en nuestra habilidad de poner las necesidades de otros antes que las propias. También necesitamos orar para tener valor y para que nos sostenga en la guerra contra el pecado. Solamente cuando pasamos por las pruebas y sufrimientos alcanzamos la gracia y el valor de la paciencia. La historia nos ha enseñado como muchos de los profetas del Antiguo y Nuevo Testamento han sufrido pacientemente por el amor a Jesucristo. Nosotros que somos llamados al camino Cristiano podemos esperar nuestra cruz del sufrimiento la cuál con fe y paciencia cargaremos a todas partes donde la gente diga “tengo sed.”

 

MATEO 11:2-11

La carrera de Juan Bautista había terminado en pedazos. El estaba ahora en la prisión, puesto ahí por del Rey Herodes. Juan nunca buscó suavizar la verdad y era incapaz de ver maldad sin ponerse en contra de ella. El Rey Herodes le robó la esposa a su hermano y vivía con ella en pecado. Juan habló sin miedo y Herodes tomó su venganza. Juan reflexionó mientras estaba en la prisión acerca de si Jesús era realmente el Mesías. Juan pensaba que su trabajo era estar afuera predicándole a la gente y preparándola para Jesús. ¿Cómo podía hacer esto mientras estaba en la cárcel? ¿Suena un poco familiar, no es verdad?

Muchas veces en nuestras vidas pensamos que se nos está bloqueando para hacer lo que pensamos es lo mejor. Se nos puede detener por falta de salud, mucha edad o hasta por la falta de la habilidad natural para hacer lo que pensamos que el Señor nos está llamando a hacer. Jesús le contestó a Juan sus dudas diciéndole que mirara a su alrededor y se fijara en lo que se estaba haciendo en la comunidad. Los ciegos podían ver, los sordos podían oír. Los leprosos estaban siendo sanados y la gente estaba siendo resucitada de entre los muertos y predicando las buenas nuevas. La respuesta de Jesús para Juan fue que el reino de Dios está a la mano (Marcos 1:15). La identidad de Jesús fue obvia para Juan cuando escuchó la respuesta que Jesús le había enviado.

También nosotros debemos reflexionar sobre nuestra salvación y nuestro propio nivel de duda. Solamente necesitamos mirar la evidencia en la escritura y los cambios en nuestra propia vida. Hemos visto como El nos ha perdonado nuestros pecados y cuando dudamos, no necesitamos alejarnos de El. En realidad, cuando tenemos sentimientos de duda entonces es cuando debemos voltearnos totalmente a El. Necesitamos observar a Juan y ver quién y que era él. El era un hombre que vivía en el desierto y estaba muy apegado a la tierra. El no tenía ropas elegantes y no comía comida exótica. Algunas gentes creían que estaba loco, y aún así se juntaban para escucharlo y verlo. El habló con autoridad y humildad. El era duro con los que no obedecían la ley y estaba en sumisión total a Cristo. Hoy en día el estilo de Juan probablemente fuera causa de risa para todo el pueblo porque su mensaje era muy sencillo y muy claro. El mensaje básico de Juan era “Arrepiéntanse, el reino de Dios está a la mano” (Marcos 1:15).

Mucha gente hoy en día no se quiere arrepentir porque “arrepentirse” significa un cambio de vida total. Todos somos pecadores (Romanos 3:23) y todos estamos llamados al arrepentimiento. Ponte de rodillas y quédate quieto y escucha a nuestro Dios (Salmo 46:10). Luego pídele que crea en tí un corazón limpio que esté lleno con pensamientos y deseos nuevos (Salmo 51:10). El mensaje de Juan eran las “Buenas Nuevas” y eso era que Jesús era el Mesías tan esperado y que había venido a empezar el reino de Dios en la tierra. Jesús ofreció libertad a los pobres, los oprimidos, y los que no tenían esperanza, y eso es lo mismo que hace El ahora. Entonces arrepiéntanse y estén de buen humor, porque el reino de Dios está de verdad a la mano.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura muestra un Dios que es justo y piadoso. La segunda lectura nos dice que la paciencia es una virtud de Dios, y el Evangelio revela un llamado al arrepentimiento, ¡ahora!

Esta semana, deja que tus acciones hablen por si mismas en tu casa, trabajo, y escuela. La paciencia y bondad son señales claras de amor. Arrepentirse quiere decir cambiar. Empieza a ser humilde y paciente ahora. Permíteles a los demás que sean primero en la línea, los primeros en comer, los primeros para hablar. Sé el primero en dar y dar libremente. Tu testimonio será una tremenda señal de que “el reino de Dios está a la mano.”

SEGUNDO DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO (Dec. 4th) – 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.

 

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

 

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

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA                                             LEE ISAIAS 11:1-10                                PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Sobre El reposará el Espíritu de Yahvé”)

  1. ¿Qué brotará del tronco de Jesé y de quien es padre Jesé? Isaías 11:1, 1 Samuel 16:11-13

 

  1. ¿Quién es la rama? Lucas 3:23-33

 

  1. ¿Qué descansará sobre El? Isaías 11:2

 

  1. ¿Quién bautizó a Jesús y que pasó cuando El fue bautizado? Marcos 1:9-11

 

  1. ¿Cuáles son las siete cosas que le dio el Espíritu a Jesús? Isaías 11:2-3

 

  1. ¿De qué forma no juzga El? Isaías 11:3

 

  1. ¿A quién juzga El, a quién derriba y cómo? Isaías 11:4

 

  1. ¿Que tendrá como cinturón alrededor de su cintura y como ceñidor sobre sus caderas? Isaías 11:5

 

  1. ¿Qué pasará entonces? Isaías 11:6-9

 

  1. ¿En ese día, de qué va a estar llena la tierra? Isaías 11:9

 

11           ¿De qué forma está establecida la raíz de Jesé, quién lo buscará y porqué?  Isaías 11:10

 

Personal – ¿De que forma tuviste el poder del Espíritu de Dios derramándose en ti como Jesús lo tuvo cuando Juan lo bautizó? ¿Cuantos años tenías? Jesús tenía como 30 años.  Lucas 3:23

 

 

TERCER DIA                                             LEE ROMANOS 15:4-9                                SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Sean atentos unos con otros como Cristo los acogió para la gloria de Dios”)

  1. ¿Porqué fue todo escrito antes de nuestro tiempo y qué sacamos nosotros de esto? Romanos 15:4

 

  1. ¿Qué nos dan las palabras de la escritura? Romanos 15:4

 

  1. ¿Por quién está inspirada la escritura y para qué es útil? 2 Timoteo 3:16

 

  1. ¿De qué es Dios el recurso y qué nos capacita a hacer? Romanos 15:5

 

  1. ¿Qué nos capacita a hacer con un corazón y una voz? Romanos 15:6

 

Personal – ¿En qué forma estas aprendiendo paciencia de la Palabra de Dios?

 

  1. ¿Qué debemos hacer uno con el otro; porqué y cuál es la razón? Romanos 15:7

 

Personal – ¿En qué forma has aceptado a aquellos de tu familia, del trabajo, etc. ahí donde están?  ¿En qué forma los has estado alentando en su caminar?  ¿En qué forma has reconocido la paciencia de Dios para contigo?

 

  1. ¿Por qué se hizo Cristo un ministro de los circuncidados? Romanos 15:8

 

  1. ¿Por qué glorifican a Dios los gentiles? Romanos 15:9

 

  1. ¿Cuáles son las dos cosas que dice la escritura que vamos a hacer? Romanos 15:9

 

 

CUARTO DIA                                                LEE MATEO 3:1-12                                                     EVANGELIO

(“El los bautizará en el fuego o bien en el sopló del Espíritu Santo”)

  1. ¿Quién hizo su aparición en el desierto de Judea, qué estaba haciendo y cuál era su tema?            Mateo 3:1-2

 

  1. ¿Quién dio el mismo mensaje de Juan? Mateo 4:17

 

  1. Cuando Jesús envió a los 12 apóstoles a buscar las ovejas pérdidas de Israel, ¿qué les dijo que anunciaran? Mateo 10:7

 

  1. ¿Cómo estaba vestido Juan y quién iba hacia él? Mateo 3:4-5

 

  1. ¿Qué estaban haciendo mientras Juan los bautizaba y a dónde lleva el arrepentimiento?   Mateo 3:6, Marcos 1:4

 

  1. ¿Qué les dijo Juan a los Fariseos y Saduceos que se estaban acercando para ser bautizados, qué les pidió que hicieran, y de qué les dijo que no se enorgullecieran? Mateo 3:7-9

 

Personal – ¿Qué evidencia puedes producir que demuestre que te has arrepentido del pecado de la incredulidad?

 

  1. ¿Cuál sería la razón para cortar un árbol? Mateo 3:10

 

Personal – ¿Qué tipo de fruto estas produciendo?  Pídele a tu familia, amistades o compañeros de trabajo que te evalúen y que te digan que tipo de fruto ven ellos en ti.

 

  1. ¿Porqué bautiza Juan con agua y cómo se ve él a si mismo comparado con el que vendrá después de él? Mateo 3:11

 

  1. ¿A quién se está refiriendo Juan y cómo nos bautizará? Juan 1:14-17, Mateo 3:11

 

  1. ¿Qué tiene en su mano y qué hará con él? ¿Qué juntará y qué quemará?  Mateo 3:12

 

  1. ¿Quiénes son los que él juntará y quiénes son los que irán al fuego eterno? Mateo 12:31-37, Jeremías 15:7

 

Personal – Evalúate a ti mismo/a como eras antes de que empezaras a leer la Palabra de Dios y como eres ahora.  ¿Qué cambios vez en ti mismo(a)?

 

 

QUINTO DIA                                        LEE EL SALMO 72:1-2, 7-8,12-13, 17

(“En El todas las tribus de la tierra serán bendecidas.”)

Lee y medita el Salmo 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17.

¿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

                                                                                          ISAIAS 11:1-10

Este pasaje nos habla acerca del nuevo retoño que crecerá del tronco del Árbol llamado la línea Real de David.  El nuevo retoño será llamado el Mesías y él será más grande que el árbol original (David) y dará mucho fruto.  Este Mesías que viene, el Rey perfecto, Sacerdote perfecto y Rey espiritual vendrá de la línea de David a reinar sobre Israel.  A El se le fue dado el nombre de “Yahvé nuestra justicia” (Jeremías 23:6).

Todos queremos un tratamiento justo de los demás pero lamentablemente nosotros no le damos un tratamiento justo a los demás. Odiamos a esos quienes basan su juicio sobre la forma en que la gente se arregla, habla o hasta por el color de su piel. Vemos o leemos acerca de gente que está siendo juzgada sobre falsa evidencia o rumores y odiamos esto. Sin embargo, muchas veces, nosotros mismos somos muy rápidos para juzgar a otros usando esas mismas normas. Cristo es el único que está vestido en la verdad. El es el único que no es prejuicioso. Jesús es el único que puede ser un juez perfectamente justo. Necesitamos darle nuestros corazones completamente. Solamente entonces podremos aprender a ser tan veraces y justos con los demás como quisiéramos que ellos fueran con nosotros.

Hoy en día la necesidad de ser veraces es necesaria más que en cualquier otro tiempo en la historia porque estamos rodeados de tanta distorsión y mentiras. Satanás es el padre de las mentiras y él nos miente en su presentación de la pornografía, drogas, homosexualidad y aborto. La paz en el Señor Jesucristo es la única respuesta para la mentira y el conflicto, ya sea en una familia o en una nación. El pasaje prosigue a enseñar a los animales salvajes viviendo en paz uno con el otro. Aún más increíble es para la gente hostil vivir en paz unos con otros.

Solamente en Jesucristo se pueden dejar a un lado las hostilidades cuando el amor verdadero prevalece; ésta es la paz que sobrepasa todo entendimiento (Fil. 4:7). Una edad de oro fue predicha en este pasaje y todavía ha de venir y vendrá cuando Jesucristo reine sobre la tierra entera. Debemos continuar hasta entonces con nuestra comisión y vivir para traer a otros a Jesucristo, nuestro Señor y Salvador (Mat. 28:19).

 

ROMANOS 15:4-9

Entre más honda sea el hambre y la sed de conocer la Palabra de Dios en la escritura, más grande es el efecto que tiene en nuestra actitud hacia el pasado, presente y futuro. La escritura ha demostrado una y otra vez que Dios ha guardado continuamente su promesa de salvación a los que creen en El. Entre más conocemos la escritura, mas sabemos acerca de lo que Dios ha hecho por nosotros. Esto nos lleva a una confianza mayor, de lo que El hará por nosotros en los días venideros.

Nuestro estudio diario de las Santas Escrituras seguido por una reflexión y acción piadosa aumentará nuestra confianza de que Dios es la mejor selección para nosotros. Somos llamados a aceptar a Jesús como nuestro Señor y Salvador y esto significa estar en armonía con sus enseñanzas y compartir sus valores y perspectivas. No podemos esperar vivir en armonía con otros hasta que primero aprendamos de Jesús a tener paciencia, estabilidad y ánimo.

Podemos estar en armonía con otros solamente cuando tenemos la actitud de Cristo (Filipenses 2:2-11). Necesitamos desarrollar una actitud de amor para con otros cristianos igualmente. Al volvernos más capaces de mantener esta actitud de amor por la gente de todas las culturas cada día, aprenderemos como vivir en armonía uno con el otro. Vivir en armonía quiere decir amar y respetarse uno al otro sin importar su credo, raza ó color, sin tener en cuenta que sea rico ó pobre, joven ó viejo, enfermo ó sano.

Somos llamados a darnos la bienvenida unos a los otros con afecto dentro de la iglesia. Esto quiere decir que debemos amarnos unos a los otros como El nos ha amado (Juan 15:12). Somos llamados a apoyarnos y perdonarnos los unos a los otros. Somos llamados a arrepentirnos de nuestras acciones pecadoras contra Dios y el hombre (Marcos 1:15). Arrepentimiento quiere decir que cambiemos nuestras vidas completamente. Somos llamados a hacer nuestra iglesia amada no solo un cielo para los santos sino un hospital para los pecadores. Jesús nos dijo en la cruz “Tengo sed” (Juan 19:28) y nosotros estamos llamados a satisfacer esa sed amándonos unos a los otros y viviendo en armonía con toda la creación de Dios.

 

MATEO 3:1-12

Juan entró en la escena como la voz estruendosa de Dios Todopoderoso. El habló valientemente en contra de la maldad dondequiera que la miraba. El habló en contra de la perversidad del Rey Herodes, que vivía con la esposa de su hermano y contra el formalismo ritualistico de los Saduceos y Fariseos quienes se creían justos. Juan habló en contra de la maldad en el estado, iglesia y entre la gente en las calles. Juan no solamente denunció a los hombres por la maldad que habían hecho sino que también los desafió a ser lo que podían ser de acuerdo a las reglas morales de Dios. Ellos pensaban que Juan Bautista era en realidad Elías que había regresado a anunciarles la venida del Mesías (Rey) (Mal. 4:5). Juan estaba preparando el camino del Rey. El predicador, el maestro con la voz profética y resonante, no se apunta a él mismo, sino a Dios.

Juan fue reconocido como profeta, porque él tenía en si mismo ésta autoridad especial la cuál se adhiere al hombre quien viene a la presencia del hombre habiendo salido de la presencia de Dios. Juan advierte fuertemente a la gente que no porque eran descendientes de Abraham tenían garantizada la entrada al cielo. Para el Israelita, ésta fue una declaración increíble porque Abraham fue único en su bondad y en su favor con Dios. Juan estaba advirtiendo a la gente que ellos no podían vivir en las acciones espirituales del pasado. El les dijo que una edad degenerada no podía esperar reclamar su salvación por la memoria de un pasado heroico. Un hijo malo no puede pensar que puede pedir algo sobre los méritos de un padre justo.

Necesitamos reflexionar en la presencia de Juan y en su mensaje de advertencia para nuestra propia sociedad.  ¿Vivimos nosotros como gente obediente a las enseñanzas de Jesucristo?  ¿Nos amamos los unos a los otros como El nos amó (Juan 15:12)?

¿Practicamos en nuestro diario vivir el mensaje que predicamos en nuestras iglesias?  ¿Esperamos ser salvados porque pertenecemos a cierto tipo de denominación?  ¿Creemos de verdad que Jesucristo es el único puente para la salvación?  El silencio de la voz de Dios en el mundo de ahora de violencia, pornografía, aborto y drogas se esta perdiendo.

El mensaje de Juan, llamando a la gente que hiciera camino y que se preparara a si mismos para la venida del Señor no es menos urgente ahora. La promesa de Juan a la gente de que el bautismo en el Espíritu Santo los llenaría con el fuego del amor y poder fue como una medida de agua fresca dada a un hombre sediento en el desierto (Isaías 44:3). El Espíritu de Dios es el Espíritu de Poder. Cuando el Espíritu de Dios entra en un hombre, su debilidad es revestida con el poder de Dios. Su apariencia de cansancio, falta de brillo, del rendimiento a la vida se desaparece, y una fuente de nueva vida entra en él. ¿Crees esto de verdad?

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos dice que solamente la verdad nos puede dar libertad y la verdad es Jesús (Juan 8:32). La segunda lectura revela que la escritura nos ha enseñado una y otra vez que Dios ha guardado Su promesa de salvación a los que creen en El. El Evangelio nos dice que nos preparemos a nosotros mismos, porque el reino de Dios está a la mano.

Esta semana, vamos a practicar lo que predicamos llevando una lista de las cosas que hemos hecho durante el día. Entonces por la noche, reflexiona en que tan parecidas son tus acciones y tus palabras. Trata esto por una semana y prepárate para un milagro.

PRIMER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO (27th de Noviembre) – 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 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 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

 

  1. ¿Cómo nos ha redimido Dios?  1 Pedro 1:18-21

 

  1. ¿Qué les pasa a nuestros corazones cuando nos apartamos de Sus caminos? Isaias 63:17

 

  1. ¿Qué será destruido y por qué? Ezequiel 6:8-10

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que endurece nuestros corazones y nos aparta de Su descanso? Hebreos 3:15-19, concentrandose en versículo 19

 

  1. ¿Cómo habia estado la gente por mucho tiempo? Isaias 63:19

 

  1. ¿Por qué pensaron que no tenian esperanza? Isaias 64:2-3

 

  1. ¿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

 

  1. ¿A quien visita El Señor? ¿Por qué se enojo El Señor? Isaias 64:4

 

  1. ¿A que nos parecemos todos y que nos arrastra como el viento? Isaias 64:5

 

  1. ¿Por qué nadie te invoca o se despierta para buscarte y a merced de qué estamos? Isaias 64:6

 

  1. ¿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

 

  1. ¿Qué abunda mas que el pecado? ¿Qué efecto tendrá en el mundo y adonde nos llevará? Romanos 5:20-21

 

  1. ¿Qué nos dá Jesús? Juan 14:27

 

  1. ¿Por quiénes agradece a Dios, Pablo y por qué? ¿Qué hemos recibido de Jesús? I Corintios 1:4-5

 

  1. ¿De quién será amigo el rey? Proverbios 22:11

 

  1. ¿Quién gana sabiduria y quién busca la ciencia? Proverbios 18:15

 

  1. ?En qué se hacian firmes los Corintios y qué no les faltaba? 1 Corintios 1:6-7

 

  1. ¿Qué vino al mundo y que trajo para todos? ¿Cómo nos educa? Tito 2:11-14

 

  1. ¿Qué hará Jesús para que podamos recibirlo, sin reporche, el dia en que El venga? 1 Corintios 1:8

 

  1. ¿Qué dice Dios que hará por ti? Isaias 41:10

 

  1. ¿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

 

  1. ¿En qué debes meditar y fijarte? ¿De qué debes cuidarte? 1 Timoteo 4:15-16

 

  1. ¿Qué hace el viajero con sus sirvientes antes de partir? ¿Qué manda al portero? Marcos 13:34

 

  1. ¿Cómo se llamó María a si misma? Lucas 1:38

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús que debe hacer el que quiera servirle, dónde estara El, y que hará su Padre? Juan 12:26

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que no sabemos? ¿Cómo no quisieramos que nos encuentre?   Marcos 13:35-36

 

  1. ¿Qué nos dice a todos? Marcos 13:37

 

  1. ¿Dé que les dijo Jesús a sus discípulos que desconfiaran? Lucas 12:1

 

  1. ¿Por qué nos dice Pablo que debemos estar alertas? Hechos 20:30-31

 

  1. ¿Por qué otra razon debemos estar sobrios y alertas? 1 Pedro 5:8

 

  1. ¿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.

TRIGESIMOCUARTO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO – CRISTO REY (20th de Noviembre)- Ciclo C

Posted on by

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.

 

  1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilía o de las lecturas que oíste en misa el domingo?
  1. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

SEGUNDO DIA                                                        2 SAMUEL 5:1-3                                    PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Tú eres el que guiará a mi pueblo, Israel.”)

  1. ¿Quiénes vinieron a hablarle a David, qué le dijeron? 2 Samuel 5:1
  1. ¿Dónde estaba David? Si puedes busca en un mapa bíblico el lugar, 2 Samuel 5:1.
  1. ¿Quién dirigia a Israel y los trajo de regreso? 2 Samuel 5:2
  1. ¿Según las tribus de Israel quién habló a David y qué le dijo? 2 Samuel 5:2, y Ezequiel 34:23-24

Personal – ¿Entonces, quién creés tú que es el que designa al pastor del pueblo? ¿Sigues tú al Unico, al que Dios ha designado como Rey de Reyes de todos los tiempos?

  1. ¿Con quién estaba hablando David? 2 Samuel 24:17

Personal – ¿Cómo te habla Dios y cómo le hablas tú como lo hizo David?

  1. ¿Qué le pasará al pastor que Dios ha designado cuando éste no escucha y se somete a la palabra de Dios?  Zacarías 11:17, y Jeremías 25:34-36
  1. ¿Quién es nuestro Gran Pastor? Leé y escribe las siguientes escrituras:

Génesis 48:15

Salmo 23:1

Juan 10:6-7, 11

Juan 10:16

  1. ¿Quién fue hecho rey de Israel? ¿Con quién hizo un pacto el rey antes de ser ungido?                2 Samuel 5:3

Personal – ¿Qué diferencias encuentras entre un buen pastor, un buen rey y un rey malo? ¿Y tú qué eres?

TERCER DIA                                                      COLOSENSES 1:12-20                              SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“A través de El tenemos la redención y el perdón de nuestros pecados.”)

  1. ¿Por qué tenemos que darle gracias al Padre? Colosenses 1:12
  1. ¿Quién tendrá luz y vida? ¿Quién es la luz? Juan 8:12
  1. ¿Quién nos rescató y de quién? Colosenses 1:13
  1. ¿Quién tiene el poder de las tinieblas? Hechos 26:18
  1. ¿Cuando nos rescató a dónde nos llevó? Colosenses 1:13
  1. ¿Qué recibimos a través de Jesús? Colosenses 1:14, 1 Pedro 2:9

Personal – ¿Has sido tu redimido? ¿Le has pedido al Señor que te perdone y te haga libre? Vuelve a leer el versículo 14. Esta es una promesa de Dios. Copia este versículo y medita sobre él.

  1. ¿Quién es la imágen de Dios que no se puede ver y quién es el primogénito de toda la creación?                Colosenses 1:15
  1. Lee y copia lo siguiente:

Salmo 89:28

Juan 1:3

Juan 1:18

Personal – ¿Cómo ves a Dios Padre? ¿Cómo te lo ha revelado Jesús a tí de manera personal? ¿Está con la vara en la mano listo para castigarte o es gentil, amable y está listo para perdonarte? Así como ves a Jesús así vé al Padre.

  1. ¿Qué fué creado en él y dónde? Colosenses 1:16, 1 Corintios 8:6
  1. ¿Para quién se hizo todo? Colosenses 1:16
  1. ¿En quién se mantiene todo? Colosenses 1:17
  1. ¿Quién empezó la iglesia y quién es la cabeza? Efesios 1:22, Apocalipsis 1:5, Colosenses 1:18
  1. ¿A quién le pasó Cristo ese lugar de cabecera? Mateo 16:18
  1. ¿Cómo hemos sido reconciliados con el Padre? Colosenses 1:20

Personal – ¿Le has permitido a Jesús lavarte con su sangre y darte la paz con el Padre? ¿Qué cambios puedes ver en tu vida desde que esto fue hecho?

CUARTO DIA                                                            LUCAS 23:35-43                                                     EVANGELIO

(“Este es el rey de los Judíos.”)

  1. ¿Quién estaba ahí mirando? ¿Quiénes se burlaban de Jesús y qué decían? Lucas 23:35
  1. ¿Había alguien más, burlandose de Jesús? ¿Qué le ofrecieron y qué le dijeron? Lucas 23:36-37

 

Personal – ¿Por qué crees que Jesús no se bajó de la cruz y se salvó a sŇ mismo de ésta muerte tan agonizante? Lucas 22:42

  1. ¿Era el deseo del Padre que Jesús, Su único Hijo muriera en la cruz? ¿Por qué?  Leé y copia:

1 Timoteo 2:4

Juan 12:47

Juan 3:16

Juan 10:10

  1. ¿Si Jesús fué obediente al Padre y estuvo colgado en la cruz y sufrió el peso de nuestros pecados para salvarnos, qué debemos hacer nosotros?  Juan 1:12, Apocalipsis 3:20
  1. ¿Cómo debemos seguir el ejemplo de Jesús? Mateo 16:24-25, Marcos 8:35, Lucas 9:24
  1. ¿Ha sido a través de algún esfuerzo que nosotros hayamos hecho, que hemos sido salvados? Tito 3:4-5
  1. ¿Cuál era la inscripción en el letrero de la cruz de Jesús? Lucas 28:38

Personal – ¿De qué modo has hecho a Jesús tu Rey de Reyes y Señor de Señores?  1 Timoteo 1:17, Apocalipsis 17:14, Apocalipsis 19:16

  1. ¿Qué le dijo uno de los criminales a Jesús en Lucas 23:39?
  1. ¿Por quién estaba preocupado? Lucas 23:39
  1. ¿Qué dijo e hizo el otro criminal? Lucas 23:40-41

Personal – ¿De qué modo eres como alguno de esos dos criminales? ¿Quién se negaba a sí mismo? ¿Cómo te niegas tú a tí mismo?

11. ¿Qué le dijo a Jesús en el versículo 42 de Lucas 23 y cuál fué la respuesta de Jesús?

12. Leé Mateo 25:33, 34, y 41. ¿Cómo puedes comparar esto con Lucas 23:39-40?

Personal – ¿Eres tú el de la derecha o el de la izquierda? ¿De qué modo te has negado a tí mismo esta semana, poniendo antes que a tí mismo a tu esposa, hijos, amigos, vecinos, compañeros de trabajo o amigos de la escuela?

QUINTO DIA                                                    LEE EL SALMO 122:1-5

                                                                         (“Dá gracias al nombre del Señor.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 122:1-5.

¿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

                                                                                         2 SAMUEL 5:1-3

David fué finalmente ungido rey de todo Israel y esto fué el cumplimiento de una promesa de Dios. Previamente había sido ungido rey en privado por Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13). David era apenas un adolescente y pasó muchos años al servicio del Rey Saúl. Cuando fue coronado Rey de Judá, a los 30 años que era la mitad sur de la Tierra Prometida (2 Samuel 2:4). Fué Coronado rey de todo el país a los treinta y siete años y reinó por cuarenta años.

Cuando David era jóven y estaba considerado fuera de la ley, su futúro se veía muy triste, pero la promesa de Dios de hacerlo rey se había cumplido. David tuvo que esperar muy pacientemente para que ésta se cumpliera, pasaron muchos años antes de que sucediera. Nosotros debemos reflexionar sobre la paciencia y humildad que David tenía al esperar tanto tiempo. El llegó a ser un gran rey, soldado, poeta, cantante, músico, escritor y líder espiritual de su pueblo. Había sido ungido por Dios y sabía que con el tiempo cuando según Dios fuera el tiempo, el plan se realizaría.

El tiempo que David tuvo que esperar lo preparó para el importante oficio de ser el buen pastor que su país necesitaba. Así nosotros necesitamos esperar en el Señor y confiar en que El nos dirigirá en nuestro camino hacia el reino. David fué un líder porque había sido un seguidor de Dios. En un tiempo él quitó sus ojos de Dios y cayó en grave pecado. Pero se arrepintió y vió que insignificante era su reino comparado con el de Dios y regresó y recibió el don de la gracia de Dios y el perdón. Nosotros podemos ser como David; podemos regresar a la sagrada luz de Dios arrepintiéndonos y dándonos cuenta de que Dios es nuestro único buen pastor y de que El nunca falla en ir a buscar y salvar a la oveja perdida. Sigamos el ejemplo de David y permitamos que nuestra unción bautismal sea el principio de nuestra vida eterna con el “Buen Pastor,” Jesús, quien nos hará libres por siempre (Juan 8:32).

COLOSENSES 1:12-20

Pablo estaba sacando a la luz una herejía de la iglesia Colosense que fue el inicio del Gnosticismo. La palabra “Gnosticismo” quiere decir conocer y la palabra “herejía” quiere decir instruir contrariamente a la verdadera doctrina. La herejía Gnóstica atacó a la Cristinadad en diversas formas. Sostenía que el conocimiento secreto importante no debía ser revelado a todos los creyentes y enseñaba que el cuerpo es maligno. Pablo responde a esta herejía declarando que Jesús eligió el vivir en un cuerpo humano. Esta herejía niega la humanidad de Cristo y Pablo insistió que en Jesús, vemos a alguien que está completamente vivo, es humano y es bueno.

El Gnosticismo empezaba a ser conocido y podía haber hecho tambalear facilmente las mentes de los creyentes que no sabían sobre la voluntad de Dios a traves de las enseñanzas de la iglesia. Todavía vemos muchas señales de esta herejía rondando en nuestra iglesia. Hoy como en los tiempos de Pablo el mejor modo de que la iglesia permanezca fiel a las enseñanzas del Señor es a través del estudio personal y las enseñanzas de la iglesia. Pablo enlista beneficios que Jesús nos dió a traves de su muerte en la cruz. Nos hizo para ser parte de su reino. Nos rescató de Satanás, nos hizo Sus hijos y nos trajo a su reino eterno (Efesios 2:5-6).

La iglesia Colosense estaba atrapada creyendo que todo lo que es materia es básicamente maligno. Ellos creían que Dios, siendo un espíritu completamente bueno, nunca vendría a la tierra como un verdadero ser humano (ser humano es tener algo de materia). Creían que Cristo no había hecho el mundo pues era increíble que Dios hubiera creado algo que era maligno. Creían que el saber secreto y especial era el único modo de que la gente encontrara a Dios. Pablo les dice que solo Cristo tiene el poder de salvar. Les dice que Jesús no solo es igual a Dios (Filipenses 2:6), El és Dios (Juan 10:30).

Entendamos que Pablo está combatiendo una herejía que trata de poner el conocimiento por encima de los aspectos salvíficos de Dios. Nosotros como los creyentes Colosenses, debemos creer que Jesucristo es Dios y no simplemente un gran profeta. Nuestra fe será hueca, dirigida erroneamente y sin sentido si vemos a Jesús como alguien menos que Dios.

LUCAS 23:35-43

En este pasaje Jesús es puesto en la cruz; y aún con su increíble dolor busca el modo de consolar y perdonar a otros. El lugar donde Jesús fue llevado para ser crucificado se llamaba “Gólgota” que significa “calavera.” Era una pequeña colina en las afueras de las murallas de la ciudad, a un costado de uno de los caminos principales. Los Romanos hacían de las ejecuciones una exposición pública como un ejemplo de lo que sucedía a los que desafiaban la ley Romana. Es irónico que Santiago y Juan le pidieron a Jesús tener lugares de honor cerca de El en su reino (Marcos 10:35-39). Cuando Jesús se estaba preparando a entrar a su reino por la crucifixión, los lugares a su izquierda y derecha eran tomados por criminales convictos que estaban muriendo.

Es un ejemplo increíble para todos nosotros el que Jesús muriera por todos los hombres no solo por unos cuantos seleccionados. Debemos tomar las palabras de Jesús, dirigidas a sus dos discípulos hambrientos de poder, como nuestras y recordar que aquél que quiera estar cerca de Jesús debe prepararse para sufrir y morir como El lo hizo. El único camino al paraíso es a través de la cruz. Aún estando colgado, muriendo y en agonía, Jesús le pide a su Padre que “los perdone por que no saben lo que hacen.” Debemos reflexionar sobre esas palabras, especialmente con todo lo que sucede hoy en día en el mundo.

¿Realmente entendemos que horrible es el pecado para Dios? ¿Realmente entendemos que horrible es cuando dejamos a otros morir de hambre, vivir sin un techo o cuando no damos de vestir al desnudo? ¿Realmente entendemos cuando le damos la espalda al anciano, al que está solo o en prisión o al enfermo mental? ¿Realmente entendemos que horrible es cuando somos la causa de que otros vivan con miedo y que les fallemos sin nuestro amor? Jesús sabía que no entendemos realmente nuestra crueldad y nos muestra la razón real por la cual El murió por todos nosotros. Nos libró de las garras mortales en las que Satanás nos tenía y ahora, con fe, podemos escoger el amar, el hacer a todos los hombres libres y el perdonar. Dios nos dice que si aceptamos a Su hijo, viviremos por siempre (Juan 3:16).

Jesús murió por nosotros y nos perdonó nuestros pecados. Así, nosotros, debemos perdonar a otros como El nos ha perdonado (Mateo 6:15). Seamos como el buen ladrón (Dimas) a la derecha de Jesús y digamos, “Señor, recuérdame cuando estés en tu reino.” El nos dirá como le dijo a Dimas, “En verdad te digo que estarás conmigo en el paraíso.” Jesús es la aurora que se abre en la obscuridad del pecado y dá luz eterna.

Aplicación

En la primera lectura vemos a David siendo paciente y humilde, esperando ser coronado rey cuando Dios lo dispusiera. En la segunda lectura Pablo les está diciendo a los Colosenses que la salvación es una persona llamada Jesús, no una doctrina intelectual. El Evangelio muestra que aún al estar muriendo, Jesús estaba perdonando a los que lo habían herido.

Veamos a las personas y situaciones a nuestro derredor y digamos específicamente, “Padre, perdona a ___________ y a ___________ por lo que él o élla me está haciendo. Aplica esto a la familia, los amigos, el jefe y los compañeros de trabajo.

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Dec. 18th) – Cycle A

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

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 7:10‑14                            FIRST READING

(“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign.”)

  1. To whom did the Lord speak and through whom did he speak?       Isaiah 7:10 & Isaiah 7:3

 

  1. Who is Ahaz? Isaiah 7:1

 

  1. For what was Ahaz to ask God? Isaiah 7:11

 

  1. What was Ahaz’s answer to this question? Isaiah 7:12

 

  1. What did Isaiah say to Ahaz? Isaiah 7:13

 

  1. What did the Lord give Ahaz? Isaiah 7:14

 

  1. What was the sign he gave him? Isaiah 7:14

 

  1. What did the Pharisees and teachers of the law say to Jesus, and what was his answer?   Matthew 12:38‑40

 

  1. What was the sign given to the shepherds? Luke 2:12, 16‑17

 

Personal – In what way have you wearied God by constantly looking for signs other than the virgin birth? How is Jesus your sign?

 

 

THIRD DAY                                     READ ROMANS 1:1‑7                       SECOND READING

(“Through him we have been favored with apostleship.”)

  1. Who was sending greetings and how does he refer to himself?       Romans 1:1

 

  1. What is he called to be and for what is he set apart?           Romans 1:1

 

  1. Where is recorded what he promised long ago through his prophets?   Romans 1:2

 

  1. Whom is the Gospel concerning, from whom did he descend and how did he descend from him?   Romans 1:3

 

  1. How was he made Son of God? Romans 1:4

 

  1. For what two reasons have you been called? Romans 1:5

 

  1. What are we to spread concerning his name? Acts 4:12

 

  1. To whom have we been called to belong? Romans 1:6

 

  1. To whom was Paul speaking? Romans 1:7

 

  1. To what did he say they had been called and what does he greet them with from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ?            Romans 1:7

 

Personal ‑ In what way do you see yourself called to spread the name of Jesus just as Paul was? How can you become an apostle for Jesus to your family and friends?

 

 

FOURTH DAY                              READ MATTHEW 1:18‑24                                        GOSPEL

(“She is to have a son and you are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”)

  1. How did the birth of Jesus Christ come about? Matthew 1:18

 

  1. Through the power of whom was Mary found to be with child?     Matthew 1:18

 

  1. Who was Joseph and what kind of a man was he? Matthew 1:19

 

  1. What was Joseph’s intention, how did the angel of the Lord appear to him, and what did he say to him? Matthew 1:19-20

 

  1. When was another time an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, what did he tell him to do, and what was his response?       Matthew 2:13‑14

 

  1. What did the angel say Mary would have, what was she to name him, and for what reason?   Matthew 1:21

 

  1. Why did all this happen, who was the prophet, and what did he say?  Matthew 1:22, Isaiah 7:14

 

  1. What does his name mean and what did Joseph do when he awoke?           Matthew 1:23-24, Isaiah 8:8, 10

 

  1. As Joseph recognized God speaking to him through an angel, what did his obedience show?   John 14:21

 

  1. What did he not do before Mary bore a son, and what did Joseph name the child?   Matthew 1:25

 

  1. What do the following scriptures say about the name of Jesus?

John 14:13

Acts 2:21 and 4:12

Philippians 2:9‑10

 

Personal ‑ When and where do you experience the presence of God the most in your life? What do you need to do to experience “Immanuel, God is with you” more completely in your life? How often do you think, feel, experience and call upon the name of Jesus in your everyday life?

 

 

FIFTH DAY                                       READ PSALM 24:1‑6

(“He shall receive a blessing from the Lord.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 24:1‑6.

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

ISAIAH 7:10-14

This passage shows us the incredible generosity of God in his urging Ahaz to ask him for a sign. This sign would show Ahaz that God wanted to protect him and crush his enemies. The King refused and appeared almost righteous by stating that he would not test God with a sign. The truth of the matter was that God had told him to ask but Ahaz was not really sure what God would say. Many of us use the same excuse, saying that we do not want to bother God with our puny problems. This keeps us from being realistic and communicating honestly with him.

We need to seriously remember and hold fast to the scripture in 1 Corinthians 2:9: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him.” God loves us so much that he is constantly giving us signs of his presence and love. We need to reflect for a moment on how many times he has been present to us in the form of other people who are in our lives. God gave Ahaz and all of us the greatest sign of all time. He stated that a child shall be born to a virgin and she shall call him “Immanuel.” This means “God is with us” and he will always be with us even to the end of time (Matt. 28:20). This was a great prophecy of the Messiah.

Jewish people waited for over seven hundred years and when Christ was born in a lowly cave and took on the role of a helpless infant, the sign of all signs was ignored and missed by the non‑ believers. There are many people in the world today who are non‑ believers and who are looking for a sign. You are that sign, you are called to be that light. You are called to be an ambassador for God. They will know God is present by the sign of the way we love one another.

 

 

ROMANS 1:1‑7

This passage was written by Paul who had not yet been to Rome. It was unthinkable to hear a Roman citizen call himself a slave; and yet, that is what Paul called himself, a slave to Jesus Christ. Paul chose to be completely obedient and dependent on his beloved Jesus. We need to reflect on our own attitude toward Christ. Is Christ your Master? Are you dependent on and obedient to Jesus Christ? Paul tells about Jesus being part of the Jewish royal line and being born and then dying and rising from the dead. Paul believed totally that Jesus was the promised Messiah, and the resurrected Lord. Paul tells the Romans of his agreement with the teaching of all scripture and of the traditional oral teaching of the apostles. Paul really emphasizes that God’s grace is an undeserved privilege and that it is also accompanied by a responsibility to share God’s forgiveness with others. This is our responsibility, to witness to the world. God may never call you to witness overseas, but he is calling you to witness where you are now. Rome was the capital of the world. The city was wealthy, literary, and artistic. It was a cultural center but in terms of morality, it was dying. Many great cities in the world are facing that same fate today. Christianity was at odds with many elements in the Roman culture.

The Romans trusted in their military power to protect them against their enemies. Does this type of thinking sound familiar? Christians were being exhorted to hold fast to their views on morality. We might well look around our own society and see whether the traditional family values such as sanctity of life, marriage, and chastity are being threatened by a godless way of life. Paul showed his love toward the Roman church by expressing God’s love for them, and we need to do just that too. We need to reach out and affirm our church leaders and tell them that we love them and support them in this ministry. We need to witness to Jesus’ commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34).

 

MATTHEW 1:18‑24

This passage addresses why a virgin birth is so important to the people of the Christian faith. Because Jesus was born of a woman, he was fully human. Also being the Son of God, he was both fully human and divine. We can relate totally with Jesus because he was human and he was like us and because he experienced every kind of temptation we experience today. In his whole life, Jesus never committed a sin. Because of this he understands our weakness and he offers us his forgiveness.

We can approach God with a reverence and yet boldness when we pray because we know that he truly understands our complete needs. We do not need to feel uncomfortable when we go before the Lord in prayer, as he loves us so much and he has been where we are now, and has the ability to help us. We need to understand the importance of the virgin birth in order to accept the situation that surrounded the birth of Jesus Christ. Mary was betrothed to Joseph when she became pregnant, and Joseph was confronted with only a few options to resolve the issue of his bride‑to‑be being pregnant, but not by him.

The Jewish marriage was the culmination of three stages. The first was when the couple became engaged, generally after their families agreed to their union. Later on, when a public announcement was made, the couple became “betrothed.” This was considered binding and broken only by divorce or death. There was no sexual relationship allowed however, until after the couple was married. The “betrothal” time was planning where to live, stocking the place with furniture, etc. Mary’s pregnancy displayed an apparent unfaithfulness that carried a severe social stigma. Joseph had a right according to Jewish law either to divorce her or to have her stoned in front of her father’s house (Deut. 22:23, 24). Joseph was told in a dream to follow God’s will and to take Mary for his wife. He was told by the Lord that Mary had conceived this child by the power of the Holy Spirit. Reflect for a moment how you would react to this type of a situation. Joseph chose to obey God’s command to marry her in spite of the obvious humiliation that they both experienced through the towns people. Joseph’s actions revealed several admirable qualities that the young men of today would do well to emulate. He displayed a stern principle, discretion and sensitivity. He was very responsive to God and displayed tremendous self‑discipline.

Joseph took God’s option and that was to marry Mary. God shows us that if we obey him, he will show us more options on how to live according to his will than we think possible. We must never forget that God took on the limitations of humanity so he could live and die for the salvation of all who believe in him.

 

Application

The first reading shows us that God wants us to communicate (prayer) with him so that he can shower us with his incredible generosity. The second reading tells us that obedience and dependency on Jesus Christ is the only way to freedom. The Gospel reveals that boldness and reverence are what he wants from us in prayer.

Get down on your knees and thank Christ for coming to earth so that he could die on the cross for your sins. Then ask him to take control of your life and ask the members of your family to join you as you fall on your knees and give him praise and adoration for coming to be with you. That is why they called him “Immanuel.”

Third Sunday of Advent (Dec. 11th) – Cycle A

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 THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

 

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 35:1‑6, 10                                 FIRST READING

(“They will meet with joy and gladness.”)

  1. What will exult and bloom and for what reason? Isaiah 35:1-2

 

  1. What is the response to seeing the glory of the Lord?         Isaiah 35:2
  2. What are we to do with hands that are feeble and knees that are weak?   Isaiah 35:3
  3. What are we to say to those whose hearts are frightened? Isaiah 35:4

 

  1. Why should we not fear? Is 35:4 41:10 and Zechariah 8:13
  2. What will happen to the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf?   Isaiah 35:5

 

  1. What will happen to the lame and the tongue of the dumb? Isaiah 35:6

 

  1. Who will return and what will they enter Zion doing? Isaiah 35:10
  2. With what will they be crowned, and what will flee from them?     Isaiah 35:10

Personal ‑ In what way do those in your family, or your friends or co‑workers, see joy and rejoicing in your life? How can you, in a joyful way, show your appreciation for what God has done for you?

 

 

THIRD DAYREADJAMES5:7‑10                      SECOND READING

(“Steady your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.”)

  1. What must we be until the coming of the Lord? James 5:7

 

  1. What does the farmer do? James 5:7

 

  1. What must you do and for what reason? James 5:8

 

  1. What does 1 Corinthians 13:4 say about patience?

 

  1. What must you not do and for what reason? James 5:9

 

  1. Who stands at the gate? James 5:9

 

  1. Who is the one to judge us? 1 Corinthians 4:5

 

  1. For what has God set Jesus apart? Acts 10:37‑42

 

  1. Who are our models in suffering hardship? James 5:10

 

  1. In whose name did the prophets speak? James 5:10

 

Personal ‑ In what way have you suffered hardship for speaking the name of Jesus? In what way have you been a model to your family, friends or work associates? How does patience fit into your life? Reflect on this.

 

 

FOURTH DAY                                                      READ MATTHEW 11:2‑11                              GOSPEL

(“The poor have the good news preached to them.”)

  1. Where was John when he heard about the works Christ was performing and whom did he send to ask Jesus a question? Matthew 11:2

 

  1. What was John’s message and why was he in prison?Matthew 3:1‑2 14:3‑4

 

  1. What was the question John sent his disciples to ask Jesus? Matthew 11:3

 

  1. What was Jesus’ reply, especially noting who has the good news preached to them?   Matthew 11:4‑5

 

  1. What two things did Jesus say to report to John and who is blest? Matthew 11:4, 6

 

  1. To whom does the reign of God belong? Luke 6:20

 

Personal ‑ In what way are you being blest by what you hear and see going on around you?

 

  1. As the messengers went off, about whom did Jesus speak to the crowds, and what question did he ask them as to what they were looking for? Matthew 11:7‑9

 

  1. As what did Jesus affirm John and what did scripture say about John?   Matthew 11:9-10

 

  1. What did Jesus say history has done? Matthew 11:11

 

  1. Whom does Jesus consider greater than John the Baptist? Matthew 11:11

 

Personal ‑ In what way has Jesus affirmed you by the actions you have taken in dealing with those around you?

 

 

FIFTH DAY                                                         READ PSALM 146:6‑10

(“The Lord sets captives free.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 146:6-10.

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 35:1‑6, 10

Isaiah has delivered a message of judgment on all of the nations in almost all of the thirty‑four previous chapters. His message includes Judah and Israel consistently rejecting the God of Abraham, Jacob and Moses. There were times of relief and restoration in the history of the chosen people but these seemed to be only at the most crucial times. A small remnant of faithful believers prevailed during these times of God’s wrath and judgment.

We see in this passage Isaiah bringing to the people a vision of hope, beauty and encouragement. The people are shown a God of judgment, but also are shown a God of incredible mercy. We see a God that is perfect in his love and complete in his hatred of sin. God has shown his love for all of these he has created through his never ending mercy. Many have failed to respond to his love because of the temptations of the world. He has in his all encompassing love extended his full range of mercy on all who have repented and come back to him. We too enjoy the benefits of his mercy, and we too will be part of the final kingdom, which is described so beautifully in this passage.

This will be the kind of world you and I can look forward to after the judgment, when all of creation will rejoice in God. The talk and times of tribulation end with the beginning of this passage. Life after the final judgment will be peaceful and joyful because we will be “home” praising the living God forever and ever. Even now as we read this, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is preparing a place for us (John 14:1‑6) and he is preparing the road for us. He will walk with us on this road “home”. This road will run from the desert of suffering to the blessings of eternal life. It can be traveled only while following God. Our Lord Jesus will never stop pointing the way for us. He is always beside us as we go. Let us follow that vision. Let our highway be holy. Let us all respond to God’s call and lead others on to God’s holy highway to heaven.

 

JAMES 5:7‑10

To understand this passage, one has to realize that the early church lived in expectation of the immediate second coming of Jesus Christ. James is exhorting the people to be patient for the few short years that remain. He tells about the farmer who has to wait patiently for the early and late rains in order for his crops to mature. The farmer needs much patience to wait until nature does her work, and the Christian needs much patience in his life until Christ comes again. During this time between planting and harvesting, they must confirm their faith, by affirming and helping each other in all the circumstances. A farmer depended greatly on his neighbors to help him at harvest time and support was needed, not criticism.

Today we do not have as many farmers, but we still are busy planting the seeds of life. We too must be ready to help our neighbor, not only in times of harvest, but also in times of disaster. The early church was mistaken in thinking that Jesus would return within a generation, but the call to support and love one another is still a major part of the Christian walk. It is interesting to note that both the Christians and the farmers must live by faith. Many people blame others when things begin to go wrong in their life (Genesis 3:12, 13). Our reluctance to own up to our own share of responsibility causes many to strike out and blame others. This method is easier and more visible, but it is also destructive and sinful.

We need to reflect on what is being said in this passage and apply it to our own lives. What is being said is that before any of us judges others we should be very much aware that Christ, the ultimate judge, will come to evaluate us (Matthew 7:1‑5). Our patience needs to be in our ability to put the needs of others before our own. We also need to pray for courage; that will sustain us in the battle against sin. It is only as we go through the trials and sufferings that we gain the grace and courage of patience. History has shown us how much the prophets of the Old and New Testament have patiently suffered for the love of Jesus Christ. We who are called to the Christian walk can expect our cross of suffering which we in faith and patience will carry everywhere that the people cry out “I thirst.”

 

MATTHEW 11:2‑11

John the Baptist’s career had ended in shambles. He was now in prison, put there by King Herod. John never sought to soften the truth and was incapable of seeing evil without taking a stand against it. King Herod stole his brother’s wife and lived with her in sin. John spoke out fearlessly and Herod took his revenge. John reflected while in prison about whether Jesus really was the Messiah. John thought that his role was to be out preaching to the people and preparing them for Jesus. How could he do this while in jail? Sounds kind of familiar, doesn’t it?

Many times, in our lives we think that we are being blocked from doing what we think is the best way to go. We may be stopped by poor health, old age or even lack of natural ability to do what we think the Lord is calling us to do. Jesus answered John’s doubts by telling him to look around and see what was being done in the community. The blind were able to see, the deaf able to hear. Lepers were being cured and people were being raised from the dead and preaching the good news. Jesus’ answer to John was the kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15). Jesus’ identity was obvious to John when he heard the answer that Jesus sent him.

We too need to reflect on our own salvation and our own level of doubt. We need only to look at the evidence in scripture and the changes in our own life. We have seen how he has forgiven us of our sins and when we doubt, we do not need to turn from him. In fact, when we have feelings of doubt then we should turn completely to him. We need to observe John and see who and what he was. He was a man who lived in the desert and was very close to the earth. He had no fancy clothes and he ate no exotic food. Some of the people thought he was mad, yet they flocked to hear and see him. He spoke with authority and humility. He was abrasive to the lawless and in total submission to Christ. Today John’s style would probably be laughed out of town because his message was too simple and too clear. John’s basic message was “Repent, the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15).

Many people today do not want to repent because “repent” means a complete change of life. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and we are all called to repent. Fall on your knees and be still and listen to our God (Psalm 46:10). Then ask him to create in you a new clean heart that is filled with clean thoughts and desires (Psalm 51:10). John’s message was “Good News” and that was that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah and he had come to begin God’s personal reign on earth. Jesus offered freedom to the poor, the oppressed, and the hopeless, and he does no less than that even today. So repent and be of good cheer, for the kingdom of God is surely at hand.

 

Application

The first reading shows a God that is just and merciful. The second reading tells us that patience is a godly virtue, and the Gospel reveals a call to repentance now!

This week, let your actions speak for themselves in your home, work, and school area. Patience and kindness are clear signs of love. To repent means to change. Start being humble and patient today. Let others be the first in line, the first to eat, the first to speak. Be the first to give and give freely. Your witness will be a tremendous sign that “the kingdom of God is at hand.”

Second Sunday of Advent (Dec. 4th) – Cycle A

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THE BREAD OF LIFE

CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

 

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 11:1‑10                           FIRST READING

(“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.”)

  1. What shall sprout from the stump of Jesse and of whom is Jesse the father?  Isaiah 11:1, 1 Samuel 16:11‑13

 

  1. Who is the sprout? Luke 3:23‑33

 

  1. What shall rest upon him? Isaiah 11:2

 

  1. Who baptized Jesus and what happened when he was baptized? Mark 1:9‑11

 

  1. What seven things did the Spirit give Jesus? Isaiah 11:2-3

 

  1. How does he not judge? Isaiah 11:3

 

  1. Whom does he judge, whom does he strike and how? Isaiah 11:4

 

  1. What is the band around his waist and the belt upon his hips?         Isaiah 11:5

 

  1. What will then happen? Isaiah 11:6‑9

 

  1. On that day, of what will the earth be full? Isaiah 11:9

 

  1. What is the root of Jesse set up as, who shall seek him out and why?   Isaiah 11:10

 

Personal ‑ In what way did you have the power of God’s Spirit rush on you as Jesus did when John baptized him. How old were you? Jesus was about 30 years old. Luke 3:23

 

 

THIRD DAY                                     READ ROMANS 15:4‑9                     SECOND READING

(“Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.”)

  1. Why was everything written before our time and what do we derive from this instruction?   Romans 15:4

 

  1. What do the words from the scriptures give us? Romans 15:4

 

  1. By whom is Scripture inspired and for what is it useful? 2 Timothy 3:16

 

  1. Of what is God the source and what does he enable us to do?   Romans 15:5

 

  1. What does this enable us to do with one heart and voice? Romans 15:6

 

Personal ‑ In what way are you learning patience from God’s Word?

 

  1. What are we to do with one another; why and for what reason?      Romans 15:7

 

Personal ‑ In what way have you accepted those in your family, at work, etc. right where they are? In what way have you been encouraging them in their walk? How have you recognized God’s patience toward you?

 

  1. Why did Christ become a minister of the circumcised? Romans 15:8

 

  1. Why do the Gentiles glorify God? Romans 15:9

 

  1. What two things does scripture say we shall do? Romans 15:9

 

 

FOURTH DAY                                READ MATTHEW 3:1‑12                                        GOSPEL

(“He it is who will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.”)

  1. Who made his appearance in the desert of Judea, what was he doing and what was his theme?   Matthew 3:1-2

 

  1. Who spoke the same message as John? Matthew 4:17

 

  1. When Jesus sent the 12 apostles out for the lost sheep of Israel, what did he tell them to announce?   Matthew 10:7

 

  1. How was John dressed and who was going out to him? Matthew 3:4‑5

 

  1. What were they doing as they were being baptized by John and to what does repentance lead?  Matthew 3:6, Mark 1:4

 

  1. What did John say to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were stepping forward for the baptism, what did he ask them to do,    and on what did he tell them not to pride themselves? Matthew 3:7-9

Personal ‑ What evidence can you produce that shows you have repented of the sin of unbelief?

 

  1. What would be the reason for cutting down a tree? Matthew 3:10

 

Personal ‑ What kind of fruit are you producing? Ask family, friends or co‑workers to evaluate you and have them tell you what kind of fruit they see coming from you.

 

  1. Why does John baptize in water and how does he see himself next to the one who will follow him?   Matthew 3:11

 

  1. Who is the one to whom John is referring and how will he baptize us?  John 1:14‑17, Matthew 3:11

 

  1. What is in his hand and what will he do with it? What will he gather and what will he burn?   Matthew 3:12

 

  1. Who are the ones he will gather and who are the ones who will go into the unquenchable fire?  Matthew 12:31‑37, Jeremiah 15:7

 

Personal ‑ Evaluate yourself before you began reading God’s Word and now. What changes do you see in yourself?

 

 

FIFTH DAY                          READ PSALM 72:1‑2, 7‑8, 12‑13, 17

(“In him all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

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 11:1‑10

This passage tells us about a new shoot that would grow from the stump of the tree called the royal line of David. The new shoot would be called the Messiah and he would be greater than the original tree (David) and would bear much fruit. This coming Messiah, the perfect king, perfect priest and spiritual king would come from David’s line to reign over Israel. He was given the name of “The Lord of Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6).

All of us long for fair treatment from others but sadly all of us do not give that fair treatment to others. We hate those who base their judgments on the way people look, talk or even by the color of their skin. We see or read about people being judged on false evidence or hearsay and we hate it. Yet, many times, we ourselves are quick to judge others using those same standards. Christ is the only one who is clothed in truth. He is the only one who is not prejudiced. Jesus is the only one who can be a perfectly fair judge. We need to give our hearts to him completely. Only then can we learn to be as truthful and fair to others as we would want them to be to us.

Today the need to be truthful is needed more than at any other time in history because we are surrounded by so much distortion and outright lies. Satan is the father of lies and he lies to us in his presentation of pornography, drugs, homosexuality and abortion. Peace in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer to deceit and conflict, whether it be in a family or a nation. The passage goes on to show wild animals living at peace with one another. Even more incredible is for hostile people to live at peace with one another.

Only in Jesus Christ can hostilities be laid to rest as true love prevails; this is the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). A golden age was predicted in this passage and it still is to come today and it will when Jesus Christ reigns over the entire earth. We can, until that time, carry out our commission and live to bring others to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior (Matthew 28:19).

 

ROMANS 15:4‑9

The deeper the hunger and thirst is to know God’s Word in scripture, the more our attitude towards the past, present and future will be affected. Scripture has shown over and over that God has continually kept his promise of salvation to those who believe in him. The more we know of scripture, the more we know about what God has done for us. This leads to a greater confidence in what he will do for us in the days ahead.

Our daily study of the holy scripture followed by prayerful reflection and action will increase our trust that God’s will is the best choice for us. We are being called to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and this means being in harmony with his teachings and sharing his values and perspectives. We cannot hope to live in harmony with others until we first learn patience, steadiness, and encouragement from Jesus.

We can be in harmony with others only when we have the attitude of Christ (Philippians 2:2‑11). We need to develop an attitude of love toward other Christians as well. As we become more capable of maintaining this attitude of love for people of all cultures throughout each day, we will learn how to live in harmony with each other. To live in harmony means to love and respect each other regardless of creed, race or color and regardless of being rich or poor, young or old, sickly or well.

We are called to welcome each other warmly into the church. This means we are to love one another as he has loved us (John 15:12). We are called to affirm each other, and forgive one another. We are called to repent of our sinful actions towards God and man (Mark 1:15). Repentance means to change our lives completely. We are called to make our beloved church not only a haven for saints but a hospital for sinners. Jesus said to us on the cross, “I thirst” (John 19:28) and we are called to satisfy that thirst by loving one another and living in harmony with all of God’s creation.

 

 

MATTHEW 3:1‑12

John came onto the scene like the thundering voice of Almighty God. He courageously spoke out against wrongdoing wherever he saw it. He spoke out against the evil doings of King Herod, living with his brother’s wife and against the ritualistic formalism of the self‑righteous Sadducees and Pharisees. John spoke out against evil in the state, in the church and in the crowd on the streets. John not only denounced men for the evil they had done, but challenged them to be what could be in accordance with the moral standards of God. Many thought John the Baptist was in reality Elijah who had returned to herald the coming of the Messiah (King) (Malachi 4:5). John was preparing the way for the King. The preacher, the teacher with the booming prophetic voice, points not at himself, but at God.

John was recognized as a prophet, because he had in him that special authority which clings to the man who comes into the presence of men out of the presence of God. John strongly warns the people that being just the descendants of Abraham does not guarantee their entrance into heaven. To the Israelite, this was an incredible statement because Abraham was unique in his goodness and in his favor with God. John was warning the people that they could not live on the spiritual deeds of the past. He told them that a degenerate age cannot hope to claim salvation for the sake of a heroic past. An evil son cannot hope to plead on the merits of a righteous Father.

We need to reflect on John’s presence and his message of warning to our own society. Do we as a people live in obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ? Do we love one another as he loved us (John 15:12)? Do we practice in our daily living the message that we preach in our churches? Do we expect to be saved because we belong to a certain type of denomination? Do we really believe that Jesus Christ is the only bridge to salvation? The silence of God’s voice in today’s world of violence, pornography, abortion and drugs is deafening.

The message of John, calling out to the people to make way and prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord, is no less urgent today. John’s promise to the people that the baptism of the Holy Spirit would fill them with the fire of love and power was like a measure of cool water given to a man thirsting in the desert (Isaiah 44:3). The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Power. When the Spirit of God enters into a man, his weakness is clothed with the power of God. His tired, lack‑lustre, appearance of defeat of life is gone, and a new surge of life enters him. Do you really believe this?

 

Application

The first reading tells us only the truth can set us free and the truth is Jesus (John 8:32). The second reading reveals scripture has shown over and over that God has kept his promise of salvation to those who believe in him. The Gospel tells us to prepare ourselves, for the kingdom of God is at hand.

This week, let us practice what we preach by keeping a list of the things that we have done throughout the day. Then at evening time, reflect on how close your actions match your words. Try this for one week and get ready for a miracle.

 

First Sunday of Advent (Nov. 27th) – Cycle A

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THE BREAD OF LIFE

CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

 

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 2:1‑5                             FIRST READING

(“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain.”)

  1. Who saw something concerning Judah and Jerusalem and whose son was he?   Isaiah 2:1

 

  1. What will happen to the mountain of the Lord’s house, who will come towards it, and when will this happen?   Isaiah 2:2

 

  1. What will the people say who come to it? Isaiah 2:3

 

  1. Who is to instruct us in his ways, in whose paths are we to walk, and from where will instruction come?   Isaiah 2:3

 

  1. Where is Zion? 1 Kings 8:1, Joel 4:17, 21

 

  1. In days to come, from where will the Word of the Lord come?      Isaiah 2:3

 

  1. Where does the Word of God come from today? John 1:1,14

 

  1. How do we know he is speaking to us if he is not walking and talking with us as he did with the apostles two thousand years   ago?   John 16:7

 

  1. In days to come, how will there be a judgment? And what will end?   Isaiah 2:4

 

  1. What are we to walk in and who is the light of the world?   Isaiah 2:5, John 8:12

 

Personal – How are you anticipating with joy our Lord’s coming? Do your family and friends know that Jesus will come again? How are you preparing for his coming and how is your family preparing for it?

 

THIRD DAY                                   READ ROMANS 13:11‑14                   SECOND READING

 

(“Let us cast off deeds of darkness  and put on the armor of light.”)

 

  1. What is the summation of all the commandments? Romans 13:9-10

 

  1. When should we wake from sleep? Romans 13:11

 

  1. When will our salvation be completed? Revelations 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:2

 

  1. What does it mean to “accept the faith? ” Write out the following verses John 3:16, John 14:6

 

  1. What does verse 12 of Romans 13 say about the day and night, what must we cast off and what must we put on?   Romans 13:12

 

  1. What is the armor of light? (Light representing Jesus, John 8:12) List all of the armor that we are to put on:

Ephesians 6:10-17

Helmet ‑

Breastplate ‑

Belt ‑

Footgear ‑

Shield ‑

Sword ‑

 

  1. According to Romans how are we to live and how are we not to live?   Romans 13:13

 

Personal ‑ According to verse 13, what is one of the major reasons for divorce today? What is one of the major causes of automobile accidents? What is one of the major causes of abortion today? What is one of the major causes of division in our churches today?

 

  1. To put on the Lord Jesus Christ, how must we conduct ourselves?   1 John 2:6

 

  1. For what are we not to make provision? Romans 13:14

 

  1. How do we not give in to the desires of the flesh? Galatians 5:13

 

Personal ‑ Do you know Jesus well enough through his Word to walk as he did? In what way can you better learn about him?

 

 

FOURTH DAY                              READ MATTHEW 24:37‑44                                      GOSPEL

(“Stay awake, therefore, you cannot know the day your Lord is coming.”)

  1. Who is the Son of Man? Matthew 1:18, 23

 

  1. What will he repeat? Matthew 24:37, Gen 7:11-23

 

  1. What were the people doing in the days before the flood and what did the flood do to them?   Matthew 24:38‑39

 

  1. What will happen when Jesus comes again? Matthew 24:40‑41

 

  1. What must we do, why must we do this, and what must we not allow?   Matthew 24:42-43

 

  1. Who are the thieves? John 10:1, 8

 

  1. What do the thieves come to do? John 10:10

 

  1. What must we be before the Son of Man comes? Matthew 24:44

 

  1. How can we be best prepared? John 8:31

 

Personal ‑ In what way are you living according to his teachings? How do you know his teachings?

 

 

 

FIFTH DAY                                      READ PSALM 122:1‑9

(“We will go up to the house of the Lord.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 122:1‑9.

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 2:1‑5

The emphasis in this passage is peace through obedience to God. This is the only kind of peace that will be permanent. The temple is mentioned, not so much because of its architecture, but because of the presence of God in the Old Testament scripture. The temple was a symbol of religious authority, and all worship was centralized through the temple. The temple was a symbol of God’s holiness, and it was the setting for many of the great visions of the prophets. The temple was a symbol of God’s covenant with Israel.

The temple was a symbol of God’s forgiveness, and it prepared the people for the coming of their long-awaited Messiah. The temple was a testimony to human effort and creativity, and finally, above all else, the temple was a place of prayer. Isaiah was prophesying what was going to happen to Jerusalem, and that was that Jerusalem would not only be freed of her bondage, but that she would become a leader to all nations.

The new Jerusalem is a city of God where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain and no more death. Have you ever wondered what heaven will be like? The Holy City, or New Jerusalem is described in scripture (Rev. 21) as a place where God dwells among his people amid the absence of pain, sorrow and death.

This is a tremendous comfort for us, because no matter what we may be going through, it is not the last word. God has written that last chapter and he has promised us that if we believe in his Son (Jesus), we will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). We are told in this passage that a wonderful day of peace will come when we are taught God’s laws and then obey them. We know that sin causes war, conflict, sickness, and disruption.

We are encouraged to begin to obey God, not in the next world but rather, in today’s world. He has given us his Word for direction and guidance. We will not have to wait until we die to enjoy the benefits of his love, we will begin to enjoy them immediately. We will become changed, and that change will affect our family, friends, and fellow co‑workers. We must never forget God made a covenant with us. He will never break his promise, and his promise is to be with us until the end of time. (Matt. 28:20).

 

 

ROMANS 13:11‑14

In this message, Paul really stresses the urgency of changing our lives before Jesus Christ comes back again. No man knows when God will rise and bid him go. The time grows shorter, for we are every day one day nearer that time. Paul stresses that we too must have all things in our life ready. St Augustine, in his story “Confessions” tells of finding conversion in the last verses of this passage. He wondered how long it was going to take to end his life of sinfulness.

With his Word God had spoken to St. Augustine and he will speak to us if we will let him. We do not search for God; he is already searching for us. God’s Word can always find the human heart, no matter how much darkness surrounds it. Let Jesus come into your heart right now and put on the clothes of light and the armor of right living.

In Roman society, a young man put down the clothes of his childhood and put on the toga, a sign of an adult, with its rights and responsibilities. Paul is saying we have laid aside the clothes of the law and now we are putting on Christ’s clothes of righteousness. We are to do the same, we are to cast off and throw away our rotten garments of sin and put on the clothes of grace. Paul was appealing to the commitment the believers had made in their baptism (2:12). They understood baptism to symbolize the death and burial of the old way of life, followed by resurrection to a new life in Christ. When we think of our old life in sin as being dead, we then have a powerful motive to resist sin in our lives today. Today we must consider ourselves dead and unresponsive to the deadly desires of sins of attitude as well as to sins of the flesh. Attitudes lead to action, just like hatred can lead to murder. Jealousy can lead to fighting, and lust can lead to adultery. We must be ourselves, as clean on the inside as we are on the outside when Christ returns again.

 

 

MATTHEW 24:37‑44

The message in today’s Gospel is to be alert and be prepared for Jesus’ return to earth. We call this special time Advent as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child on Christmas Day. As we prepare for this blessed day in our Christian calendar, we need to especially remember that what we are celebrating is the anticipation of Christ coming again on this earth to bring the “Good News” to all who have believed in him. As we are told in today’s passage, we are fortunate not to know when that special day comes because we might become lazy in our work for Christ. Some would probably keep on sinning right up to the end and then try to turn to God in the nick of time.

Our goal in life is not just to get to heaven; we also have a commission (Matt. 28:19) right here on earth. We must continue on in our life, living out the reality of God’s presence until we see the triumphant return of our Savior. Our Lord’s second coming will be instantaneous and there will be no time for last minute repentance or bargaining. The choice we have already made today will determine our destiny. Have you made a choice today to let Jesus Christ become the Lord of your life? In today’s passage, Jesus is not telling us about his return to put fear or doubt in our heart. He is not trying to get us into making all kinds of predictions. He is warning us to be prepared. He is giving us a warning of love, because he wants no man or woman to perish.

The bottom line in today’s message is: Will you be found faithfully doing his work on the day of his return? We have those who say we can work our way to heaven alone, and others who say we need only faith to be saved. A story was told of a man in a rowboat taking passengers from the dock to the waiting ship. He had painted on one oar “Faith” and on the other oar “Works.” When he used only the oar that said “Faith,” the boat went in a circle to the left. When he used only the oar marked “Works,” the boat still went into a circle, only this time to the right. When he used both oars the boat went ahead to its desired goal. Jesus wants us, in faith, to continue our good works until he comes again in glory.

 

Application

In the first reading, we saw the emphasis being placed on obedience. The second reading stressed the urgency of changing our lives, and the Gospel tells us to be alert and prepared.

This week, be alert and prepared to do battle against temptation and sin by being obedient to those who are placed in authority over us. Therefore, let us curb our tongue when we are in conversations at work, school or in the privacy of our own home. The example you provide will allow your co-workers, classmates and family to see the gifts and fruits of the Spirit in your life.

 

 

Thirty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Christ the King (November 20th) – Cycle C

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THE BREAD OF LIFE

    CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

 

        THIRTY-FOURTH SUNDAY (CHRIST THE KING) – CYCLE C

 

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 SAMUEL 5:1-3          FIRST READING

 

             (“You shall shepherd my people Israel…”)

  

  1. Who came to David and what did they say to him? 2 Samuel 5:1 

    

  1. Where was David? If you can locate this place on a bible map, give location.  2 Samuel 5:1

  

  1. Who led the Israelites out and brought them back?     2 Samuel 5:2

 

 4. Who did the tribes of Israel say spoke to David and what did he say to him?  2 Samuel 5:2, Ezekiel 34:23-24

 

Personal – Who, then, do you think appoints those to shepherd the people?  Are you following the One whom God has appointed King of kings for all times?

 

  1. To whom was David speaking? 2 Samuel 24:17

 

Personal – How does God speak to you and how do you speak to him   as David did?

 

  1. What will happen to the shepherd God has appointed that does    not listen and submit to the words of God? Zechariah 11:17 and Jeremiah 25:34-36

 

  1. Who is our Great Shepherd? Read and write out the following scriptures:

      Genesis 48:15

     Psalm 23:1

     John 10:6-7, 11

     John 10:16

 

  1. Who was made king of Israel? With whom did the king make an agreement before and who anointed him?  2 Samuel 5:3

 

Personal – What do you see as the difference between a good shepherd, a good king, and a bad king?  What are you?

 

 

THIRD DAY          READ COLOSSIANS 1:12-20        SECOND READING

 

(“Through him we have redemption, the forgiveness for our sins.”)             

 

  1. For what are we to give thanks to the Father? Colossians 1:12

 

  1. What does it mean “the saints in light” and who is the light?      John 8:12

 

  1. Who rescued us and from whom did he rescue us? Colossians 1:13

 

  1. Who is the power of darkness? Acts 26:18

 

  1. When he rescued us, where did he bring us?  Colossians 1:13

 

  1. What do we receive through Jesus? Colossians 1:14,     1 Peter 2:9

 

Personal – Have you been redeemed?  Have you asked the Lord to cleanse you and make you whole?  Reread verse 14.  This is a promise from God.  Write out this verse and meditate on it.

 

  1. Who is the image of our God we cannot see and who is the first-born of all creatures?  Colossians 1:15

 

  1. Read and write out:

     Psalm 89:28

     John 1:3

     John 1:18

 

Personal – How do you see God the Father?  How has Jesus revealed him to you personally?  Is he holding a rod ready to punish you or is he gentle, kind and forgiving?  As you see Jesus, you see the Father.

 

  1. What was created in him and where was it created?     Colossians 1:16, 1 Corinthians 8:6

 

  1. For what reason was all created? Colossians 1:16

 

  1. How does everything continue its being? Colossians 1:17

 

  1. Who began the church and who is the head of it?     Ephesians 1:22, Revelation 1:5, Colossians 1:18

 

  1. Onto whom did Christ pass this headship? Matthew 16:18

 

  1. How have we been reconciled with the Father?     Colossians 1:19-20

 

Personal – Have you allowed Jesus to wash you with his blood and   bring you to peace with the Father?  What changes can you see in your life since you have done this?

 

 

 

FOURTH DAY               READ LUKE 23:35-43               GOSPEL

                (“This is the King of the Jews”)

  1. Who stood there watching? Who was jeering at Jesus, and what were they saying?  Luke 23:35

 

  1. Was there anyone else making fun of Jesus? What did they offer him, and what were they telling him to do?     Luke 23:36-37 

 

Personal – Why do you think Jesus did not come down off the cross and save himself from this agonizing death?  Luke 22:42

 

  1. Was it the Father’s will that Jesus, his only begotten Son, die on the cross and why?

 

     Read and write out:

     1 Timothy 2:4

     John 12:47

     John 3:16

     John 10:10

 

  1. If Jesus was obedient to the Father and hung on the cross and      suffered from the weight of our sins in order to save us, what must we do?  John 1:12, Revelation 3:20

 

  1. How are we to follow Jesus’ example? Matthew 16:24-25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24

 

  1. Was it through any effort of our own that we have been saved?     Titus 3:4-5

 

  1. What was the inscription written over Jesus’ head?     Luke 23:38

 

Personal – How have you made Jesus your King of Kings and Lord of Lords?  1 Timothy 1:17, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16

 

  1. What did the one criminal say to Jesus in Luke 23:39?

 

  1. About whom was he concerned? Luke 23:39

 

  1. What did the other criminal do and say?  Luke 23:40-41

 

Personal – In what way are you like either one of the criminals?  Who was denying himself and how do you deny yourself?

 

  1. What did he say to Jesus in verse 42 of Luke 23 and what was Jesus’ reply?

 

  1. Read Matthew 25:33-34, 41. How can this be compared to Luke     23:39-40?

 

Personal – Are you the one on the left or the right?  In what ways have you denied yourself this week for your spouse, children, friends, neighbor, business associates, or school friends?

 

 

 

FIFTH DAY             READ PSALM 122:1-5              

 

             (“Give thanks to the name of the Lord.”)

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 122:1-5.

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 SAMUEL 5:1-3

     David was finally anointed king over all Israel, and this was a fulfillment of God’s promise.  He first was anointed king in private by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13).  David was just a teenager then and spent many years in the service of King Saul.  David was thirty years old when he was crowned King of Judah, which was the southern half of the Promised Land (2 Samuel 2:4).  He was crowned king of the whole country at the age of thirty-seven and reigned for forty years. 

 

     When David was young and an outlaw, his future looked very bleak, but God’s promise to make him king was now fulfilled.  David had to wait very patiently for God’s promise to be fulfilled, even though he had been promised the kingship many years earlier.  We need to reflect on the patience and humility that David practiced in his long wait.  He went on to become a great king, warrior, poet, singer, musician, writer and spiritual leader of his people.  David was anointed by God and he knew that in time, God’s time, the plan would come into being. 

 

     David’s time of waiting prepared him for the very important task of being the good shepherd that his country needed. We too need to wait on the Lord and trust that he will direct us in our walk through the kingdom.  David was a leader because he was a follower of God.  Later David took his eyes off of God and he fell into great sin.  David repented and saw how puny his kingdom was next to God’s and he came back and received God’s gift of grace and forgiveness. We too can be like David; we can all come back to God’s holy light by repenting and realizing that God is our only good shepherd, and he will never fail to go out and save the lost sheep.  Let us follow David’s example and let our baptismal anointing be the beginning of our eternal life with the “Good Shepherd,” Jesus, who will set us all free forever (John 8:32).

 

                        COLOSSIANS 1:12-20

     Paul was bringing to light a heresy in the Colossian church that was the beginning of Gnosticism.  The word “Gnosticism” means knowledge and the word “heresy” means a teaching contrary to true doctrine.  The Gnostic heresy attacked Christianity in several ways. It held that important secret knowledge was to be kept from most believers, and it taught that the body is evil.  Paul responded to this heresy by stating that Jesus chose to dwell in a human body.  This heresy denied the humanity of Christ and Paul insisted that in Jesus we see one who is fully alive, human and good. 

 

     Gnosticism was beginning to get known and it could easily sway believers’ minds that did not know God’s will through the teachings of the church.  We see many signs of this heresy still lingering on in our church.  Today, as in the times of Paul, the best way a church can remain true to the teachings of the Lord is through personal study and church teachings.  Paul lists five benefits that Jesus gave us through his death on the cross.  He made us to be part of his kingdom.  He rescued us from Satan and made us his children.  He brought us into his eternal kingdom (Eph 2:5-6).

 

     The Colossian church was caught up in believing that all matter is basically evil.  They believed that God, being a spirit which is all good, would never come to earth as a true human being (being human is part of matter).  They believed that Christ did not make the world, because they believed God would not create anything that was evil.  They believed that special and secret knowledge was the only way people could find God.  Paul told them that only Christ has the power to save.  Paul told them that Jesus is not only equal to God (Phil 2:6), he is God (John 10:30). 

 

     We need to understand that Paul is combatting a heresy that tries to put knowledge above the saving aspects of God.  We, like the Colossians, must believe that Jesus Christ is God and not simply some great prophet.  Our faith will be hollow, misdirected, and meaningless if we see Jesus as anything less than God.  

 

                          LUKE 23:35-43

     In this passage, Jesus is placed on the cross; and even in his own incredible pain, he seeks to comfort and to forgive others.  The place where Jesus was led to be crucified was called “Golgotha” which means “the skull.”  This was a small hill just outside of the city walls, alongside a main road.  The Romans made the execution a public display as an example of what happens to those who defy Roman law.  It is ironic that Jesus was asked by James and John for the places of honor next to him in his Kingdom (Mark 10:35-39).  Now that Jesus was preparing to enter his Kingdom through his crucifixion, the places on his left and right were to be taken by dying, convicted criminals.  This is an incredible example for all of us that Jesus’ death was for all men, not just a selected few.  We must take Jesus’ words to his two power-hungry disciples, to our own hearts and remember that anyone who wants to be close to Jesus must be prepared to suffer and die as he did.  The only way to paradise is through the cross.  Even as he hung there dying in agony, Jesus was asking his Father to “forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”  We need to reflect on those words, especially with what is going on in today’s world.

 

     Do we really understand how horrible sin is to God?  Do we really understand how horrible it is when we let others starve, go homeless, or we fail to clothe the naked?  Do we really understand when we turn our backs on the old, the lonely, the imprisoned, the mentally ill?  Do we really understand how horrible it is when we cause others to live in fear, and when we fail to love?  Jesus understands that we don’t really understand our own cruelty and he shows us the real reason why he died for all of us.  He freed us from the deathhold that Satan had on us and now, in faith, we can choose to love, choose to make all men free, and choose to forgive.  God tells us that if we accept his son, we will live forever (John 3:16). 

 

     Jesus died for us and forgave us our sins.  We must also forgive others as he has forgiven us (Matt 6:15).  Let us be like the good thief (Dismas) on Jesus’ right, and say, “Lord, will you remember me in your Kingdom?”  He will say to us as surely as he said to Dismas,  “Believe in me and you too shall be with me in Paradise.”  Jesus is the dawn that breaks into the darkness of sin and gives us the light eternal.

 

Application

     In the first reading, we saw David being patient and humbly waiting to be crowned King in God’s time.  In the second reading, Paul is telling the Colossians that salvation is a person named Jesus, not some intellectual doctrine.  The Gospel shows us that even as he was dying, Jesus was forgiving those who hurt him.

     Let us look at the people and situations around us and specifically say, “Father, forgive so and so for what he or she is doing to me.”  Apply this to family, friends, boss, fellow workers, etc.        

Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (November 13th) – Cycle C

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

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

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

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY READ MALACHI 3:19-20 FIRST READING          

(“…There will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays…”)

1. What will the day be like that is coming? Malachi 3:19

 

2. What will happen to all the proud and evildoers? Malachi 3:19

 

3. How will that day leave them? Malachi 3:19

 

4. Who says this will happen? Malachi 3:19

 

5. What do the proud and evildoers do? Malachi 3:5, 13-14

 

6. For those who fear the name of the Lord, what will arise and with what kind of rays? Malachi 3:20

 

7. What will you do? Malachi 3:20

 

8. What do those who fear the Lord do? Malachi 3:16

 

9. What is the difference between the proud, the evildoer, and the one who fears the Lord? Malachi 3:18

 

10. To fear the Lord brings what and what does it avoid? Proverbs 14:27

 

Personal – Examine your conscience over this past week. What ways have you served the Lord and what ways have you not served him? Do you have one foot in the kingdom and one outside? Read Revelation 3:15-16.

 

 

THIRD DAY READ 2 THESSALONIANS 3:7-12 SECOND READING

(“…That we might present ourselves as an example for you to imitate.”)

1. Who is speaking? To whom are they speaking? What are they asking them to do in 2 Thessalonians 3:7? 2 Thessalonians 1:1

 

2. Why were they asking the Thessalonians to imitate them? 2 Thessalonians 3:6-8

 

3. What is the workman worth? Matthew 10:10

 

4. How  did they want to present themselves and for what reason? 2 Thessalonians 3:9

 

5. What was the rule that they laid down while they were with them? 2 Thessalonians 3:10

 

6. With what did they tell them to work, and for what reason? 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

 

7. What did Paul and the others hear that some of them were not  doing and how were they acting? 2 Thessalonians 3:11

 

8. What happens when you don’t keep busy but waste time? 1 Timothy 5:13

 

9. What did Paul and the others urge them strongly in the Lord  Jesus Christ to do and how were they to do it? 2 Thessalonians 3:12

 

10. What should we remember when working? Colossians 3:23

 

Personal – If you are a student, if you are a homemaker or working on a job, or if you are retired, what has your attitude been towards the work you are doing? What kind of example are you to outsiders? Reflect on this.

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ LUKE 21:5-19 GOSPEL

(“All will hate you because of me,…”)

1. About what were some people speaking? Luke 21:5

 

2. What did Jesus say to them about the things they were contemplating? Luke 21:6

 

3. What two things did they ask Jesus? Luke 21:7

 

4. Who did Jesus say not to follow and what would they be saying? Luke 21:8

 

5. What is bound to happen first about which we are not to become perturbed? Does the end immediately follow this? Luke 21:9

 

6. What did Jesus continue to say to them? Luke 21:10-11

 

7. What did he say would happen to them before all this took place? Luke 21:12

 

8. What action concerning his name would result in persecution and trial? Acts 5:28

 

9. What will we be brought to do?  What are we not to do and for what reason? Luke 21:13-15

 

10. With what did Stephen speak when engaged in debate? Acts 6:9-10

 

11. Who will deliver us up and what will happen to some of us? Luke 21:16

 

12. What will all do to us because of Jesus and, yet, what will happen to the hair on our heads? Luke 21:17-18

 

13. How will we save our lives? Luke 21:19

 

14. Read the following scriptures and write out what they say about patient endurance:

Hebrews 3:14

Hebrews 6:11-12

Hebrews 10:36

 

Personal – In what way do you see yourself being persecuted because of the name of Jesus? In what way are you persecuting others for their obedience to God? Where do you stand?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 98:5-9

(“He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 98:5-9.

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 

MALACHI 3:19-20

We read in this passage that the day of judgment is coming like a blazing furnace for those who have turned their backs on God.  Malachi exhorted and warned the people about being obedient to the Lord or facing terrible consequences. A blazing furnace is white hot and its function is to burn impurities out of precious metal. It requires a hot, dangerous and all-consuming fire. Malachi compared judgment day to this.

Many people were disobedient to God’s will and dishonored his name (Mal.1:6). They offered false worship (Mal.1:7-14), and they led others into sin (Mal.2:7-9). Many became arrogant and proud, and they called “evil” good (Mal.2:17). These were the people who Malachi promised would be reduced to stubble on Judgment Day. We need to reflect on our own lifestyle in these troubled times and see if this warning applies to us also. The name of God is mocked and profaned on television and in the movies with great regularity. Idolatry is as common today in this country as it ever was in the time of Abraham. Today many pay homage to the god of sports, television, pornography, abortion, money, and power. That blazing furnace is as real today as it was in the time of Malachi.

Malachi was not a prophet of doom, and he left them with a strong message of hope and forgiveness. He gave us the image of a loving God who will be like the healing warmth of the sun to those that repent and come back to love and obey him. God wills that no man perish. John the Baptist told about the coming of Jesus and said he was like the dawn about to break with light for those in sin and darkness (Luke 1:76-79). Jesus is the light of the world, and we are called to bring that light everywhere.

 

2 THESSALONIANS 3:7-12

Paul takes a strong stand against laziness in the church leaders and in the people themselves. He strongly exhorts them to be responsible and hard-working Christians. Paul certainly did not think that working or insisting that people who should work was an attack on their integrity or dignity.  Paul thought that a person should make the most of his time and talents. Paul exhorted them to provide for themselves and for others as well. Paul stresses very strongly how important example is to a community.

We need to stress that today more than ever to our young people and especially our children. What kind of example are you setting? Do people see you as a hard-working, kind, and patient Christian?  Do you spend too much time watching television? Do you spend time alone every day with the Lord in quiet prayer? Do you read and study Scripture every day? These are the type of examples we need to set for others.

Paul really admonishes the people about wasting time gossiping, a sin against the fifth commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.”  You kill a person socially, emotionally, and even spiritually inch by inch when you are gossiping about him. Gossips breed distrust, division, discouragement, and, finally, despair in the body of Christ. Gossip, in some cases, is exciting to hear; and it means those who are hearing it feel like insiders. Instead of building up, gossiping tears down. Jesus calls us to love others as he has loved us (John 15:12). We cannot be tearing someone down through gossip and think we are loving, obedient Christians. We need to pray to the Lord so that he will heal us of this miserable, bad habit. Our prayers are powerful because our Lord listens and heals (James 5:16).

 

LUKE 21:5-19

The temple the disciples were admiring was not Solomon’s temple. Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in the sixth century B.C. The temple in Jesus’ day was the one built by Herod the Great, beginning in 20 B.C. It was much larger than the earlier temples. This temple, after many restorations, was destroyed completely in 70 A.D. by the Roman army. The disciples were commenting on the beauty and durability of the temple. Jesus tells them the temple will be knocked down and it will become a pile of rubble. They wanted to know when this terrible event would happen. Jesus warned them about false Messiahs and natural disasters. He told them that he would never leave them and that he would be with them even unto the end of time (Matthew 28:16-20). He warned them about persecution and being dragged into court because of being associated with him. We see that happening today to those involved in a movement to stop abortion by blocking the entrance into the abortion clinics. Many of the protestors have been arrested and hauled into court. A tremendous witness is taking place in our country, so many people have come forward and are being imprisoned for the sake of Christ. Jesus’ warning and his promises still apply to us as we look forward to his return. In response to their question of “knowing when the end of the age will come,” Jesus stated that they should be less concerned about the date and more concerned about being prepared.

We are called to live God’s way constantly so that no matter when he comes, we will be prepared.  The early church thrived despite incredible persecution. In the early second century, the blood of the Christians was considered the seeds of future believers. We need to remember that Jesus’ words are as true today as they were yesterday. Today we have many families who have turned against each other and suffer great persecution at the hands of their own loved ones. We can be assured that no matter how rough the times may get, he is with us, and his Spirit even teaches us what to say in times of trial.

Jesus tells us, “Not a hair of your head will be harmed.” He means that none of his followers will suffer spiritual or eternal loss. You may lose all of your possessions here on earth, and you may be beaten, robbed, and even put to death, but you will be saved forever and ever.

 

Application

In the first reading, we are choosing to be either hot or cold. In the second reading, we are called to be role models. In the Gospel, we heard that we need to take a stand with God or against him.

Let us choose Christ in every situation we encounter in our homes, church, and jobs. Before we take action in any situation this week let us ask ourselves, “Am I compromising what I believe in by doing this?”