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Lectio Divina – Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 27th) – Cycle C

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

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

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

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

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 – …to them Jesus addressed this parable: “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation…Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But the father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him…Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ …Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back…the servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry…and said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders, yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughtered the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 27th) – 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 JOSHUA 5:9-12 FIRST READING

(“Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.”)

1. What did the Lord tell Joshua he had removed from them that day? Joshua 5:9

 

2. What has the Lord removed from those who fear him? Psalm 103:12

 

3. Where were the Israelites encamped, and what did they celebrate on the evening of the fourteenth of the month? Joshua 5:10

 

4. What was prescribed by the Lord on the fourteenth day of the month? Exodus 12:5-6, 11

 

5. What did the Israelites eat the day after the Passover? Joshua 5:11

 

6. For what are we to work, and who gives it to us? John 6:27

 

7. What did Jesus say is true food and drink, and what happens to whoever eats and drinks it? John 6:55-56

 

8. On that same day, after the Passover, what ceased? Joshua 5:12

 

9. How long did they eat the manna? Exodus 16:35

 

10. How long will you live if you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood? John 6:49-51

 

Personal – What has been removed from you that allows you to participate in communion on Sunday? In your life, what shows that communion is more important than the food on your table?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17-21 SECOND READING

(“So, we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us.”)

1. What is “whoever is in Christ,” and what has happened to the old things? 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

2. To those who accepted Christ, what did he give them the power to become? John 1:12-13

 

3. How have we been reconciled to God, and what has he given us the ministry of? 2 Corinthians 5:18

 

4. What were we when we were reconciled to God, and how were we saved? Romans 5:10-11

 

5. What did God not count, and what did he entrust to us? 2 Corinthians 5:19

 

6. What does David declare, and who is blessed? Romans 4:6-8

 

7. What are we for Christ, and what is Paul imploring the people to be? 2 Corinthians 5:20

 

8. How does Paul want to make known the mystery of the Gospel, and what does that make him in chains? Ephesians 6:19-20

 

9. For whose sake did God make Jesus become sin even though he did not know sin, and what did that make us?  2 Cor. 5:21

 

10. What is Jesus able to do and for what reason?  Hebrews 4:15

 

Personal – If God has entrusted to you the message of reconciliation, how have you shared and acted upon that message to those around you?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ LUKE 15:1-3,11-32 GOSPEL

(“But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again.”)

1. Who was drawing near to listen to Jesus, and what were the Pharisees and scribes complaining about?  How did he address them? Luke 15:1-3

 

2. In the parable Jesus told, what happened to the younger son? What did the man long to eat? Luke 15:11-16

 

3. Coming to his senses, what did he decide to do, and what was he going to say to his father? Luke 15:17-19

 

4. With what was his father filled when he saw his son, and what did he do? Luke 15:20

 

5. On who does the Lord have compassion? Psalm 103:13

 

6. What did the son say to the father, and what did the father do and say about the son? Luke 15:21-24

 

7. What were we following that made us dead in our own transgressions, and how were we brought to life? Ephesians 2:1-5

 

8. What was the older son’s reaction to all the dancing and festivities for the younger son? Luke 15:25-28

 

9. What did the father do at the older son’s reaction, and what did he say to his father? Luke 15:29-30

 

10. What did the father say belonged to the older son, and why did he say it was time to celebrate? Luke 15:31-32

 

11. What is the will of our heavenly Father, and how should we not feel over one of his little ones? Matthew 18:10-14

 

Personal – With whom do you relate in this gospel, and why?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 34:2-7

(“Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 34:2-7.

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

JOSHUA 5:9-12

The Israelites were ready to soon enter into the promised land after spending 39 years in the wilderness unnecessarily because they were afraid and underestimated God’s ability.  The Canaanites heard about Israel’s great victories through God (crossing the Red Sea) and were terrified of them.  Do not underestimate God. If we are faithful to him, as Joshua and the Israelites were faithful, then God can cause great opposition to melt away. God can change the attitudes of those who oppose us.

The Lord spoke to Joshua and told him that he was to circumcise all the males in his camp because that was the sign of the covenant with him. Then the angel spoke to Joshua and told him to prepare for battle and to listen to God’s plan only. They celebrated the feast of Passover before they went on to the battle of Jericho.  The celebration reminded them of who they were, and what happened to get them that far.

This was the first celebration of the Passover in the Promised Land.  The Israelites remembered how God was with them in their times of danger and hunger. They were now in a land that was overflowing with fruit, vegetables, and water. They knew that God has miraculously provided this land for them. They knelt and in prayer they thanked God for keeping their faith strong enough to get through the wilderness.

They knew, and it is important for us to know too, that prayer is not an alternative to preparing for what needs to be done, and faith is not a substitute for hard, honest work.  God can and does provide us with miracles, but he expects us to use our God-given talents and resources to provide for others and ourselves.

 

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17-21

Christians are brand-new people on the inside when they become baptized. The Holy Spirit dwells within them and gives them a new life, and they are no longer the same. When we become baptized and a new child of the Lord, we are not reformed, rehabilitated or reeducated: we are brand-new creations, living in complete union with Christ (Colossians 2:6,7). It does not mean we are turning over a new leaf when we are baptized. It means we are beginning a new life under a new Master. We are reconciled to God by his wiping out of our sins, or original sin if one is being baptized as a child. We are made righteous. We are no longer strangers or foreigners when we trust in God.

Because we have been reconciled to God, we now have been given the privilege of encouraging others to do the same. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, and this means we are to be his representatives. As ambassadors of Christ, we are sent with his message of reconciliation to the world. We need not take this responsibility lightly because a hungry, broken, poor, and oppressed world anxiously and hopefully awaits us. How do you see yourself in the role of Christ’s ambassador?

While you trust in Christ, you make a trade: your sins for his goodness. He took on unto himself all of our sins at Calvary, and we received his righteousness that he has poured out for us at our conversion.  This is what Christians mean when they talk about Christ’s atonement for sin. Let us fall on our knees and give God our total gratitude for making this marvelous trade available for us.

 

LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32

Today’s Gospel shows us the conflict between the Pharisees’ way of treating a sinner and Jesus’ way.  To people who did not keep the law, a label called “The people of the land” was given to them. These people were shunned by most Orthodox Jews. A Pharisee was forbidden to have anything to do with a known sinner. They were shocked at the easy way that Jesus got along with them. Their attitude was that to eat with a sinner, to talk to a sinner and to be with sinners must mean that you, too, were a sinner. Their philosophy was to destroy the sinner before God.

Jesus, of course, believed in saving the sinner and told them a story about a young man who was very rebellious to his family. Jewish law stated that the oldest son must get twice as much inheritance money as all the other sons combined.  In this story the younger of two sons demanded his share of the money. He was bored and lazy and wanted to leave home to go and enjoy the outside world.  He soon ran through the money, and he finished up feeding the pigs at a local farm.  This was a job that was forbidden to a Jew because the law stated, “Cursed is he who feeds the swine.

The turning point in the story came when the young man came to his senses and said that he was a sinner. He came back home, not to ask if he could be a son again or even a slave, because there still was some kind of tie to the family being even a slave. But he asked to be a paid servant who had no status or security, only day-to-day existence.  He knew that he was a sinner, so he confessed and was repentant.

The father saw the son coming and rushed out to meet his repentant son. His father put a robe of honor on his son, a ring that gave him unlimited buying power, and shoes (a slave or hired servant had no shoes). A feast was ordered so that all might rejoice in that a sinner was lost but now was found, or as the father put it, “My son was dead, but now he is alive.” We must never forget that the love of God can defeat even the deliberate rebellion of the heart.

 

Application

The first reading shows all men that we are not to under-estimate the ability of God.  The second reading reveals that a Christian is not reformed or rehabilitated but is a brand-new creation of almighty God.  The Gospel says the Pharisees believed in destroying the sinner, but Jesus believed in saving the sinner.

This week let people around you see Christ-like actions, not Pharisee-type actions. Show others by your mercy, by your ability to listen, by your not joining in the gossip, and by showing joy when someone apologizes for something they have done wrong. Jesus believed that love will conquer all forms of evil, and your actions will prove to the “people of the land” that he is right.  Jesus loved and saved, and you are called to do no less.

Third Sunday of Lent (March 20th) – 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 EXODUS 3:1-8, 13-15 FIRST READING

(“This is what you are to tell the Israelites: I Am sent me to you.”)

1. What was Moses doing, where did he arrive, and what was it called? Exodus 3:1

 

2. How did an angel of the Lord appear to Moses, at what was he surprised, and what did he decide to do? Exodus 3:2-3

 

3. Approximately how old was Moses when the angel appeared to him? Acts 7:23, 30

 

4. What did God do and say when Moses came near the bush? Exodus 3:4-6

 

5. What did Jacob say was a gateway to heaven? Genesis 28:17

 

6. What was Moses afraid to do? Exodus 3:6

 

7. What did the Lord say he has witnessed, what does he know, and what has he come down to do?  Exodus 3:7-8

 

8. What are we to do to those who are being dragged to death? Proverbs 24:11

 

Personal  –  As the Lord has rescued his people from slavery and death, how have you continued to be his hands and feet and rescued those who have been programmed for abortion?  What can you do at the abortion mills to make his presence known?

 

9. What did Moses say and ask God, and what did God say is his name? Exodus 3:13-14

 

10. What did God tell Moses to say to the Israelites? Exodus 3:15

 

11. How long does God’s name endure, and what is his title? Psalm 135:13

 

12. Who will enter the kingdom of heaven? Matthew 7:21

 

Personal – What do you call the One who has sent you, and what has he sent you to do?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ 1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6, 10-12 SECOND READING

(“Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure, should take care not to fall.”)

1. Of what does Paul not want the brothers to be unaware? 1 Corinthians 10:1-2

 

2. Into who and what have you been baptized? Romans 6:3

 

3. From what did they all eat and drink, from what kind of a rock did they drink, and who was the rock? 1 Cor. 10:3-4

 

4. What spiritual food did he give our ancestors, and what spiritual food does he give us? John 6:31, 6:35

 

5. Why were our ancestors struck down? 1 Corinthians 10:5-6 and Hebrews 3:17

 

6. What did the Lord do to those who did not believe? Jude 5

 

7. What should we not do as some of our ancestors have done? 1 Corinthians 10:10

 

8. Why have these things been written down, and of what should you be careful? 1 Corinthians 10:11-12

 

9. Why do you not become haughty, and how should you stand? Romans 11:20

 

Personal – What attitudes that are not pleasing to God have been passed on to you by your ancestors? How can you or how have you overcome them?   

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ LUKE 13:1-9 GOSPEL

(“If you do not repent, you will all perish as they did.”)

1. What did some people tell Jesus, and what was his reply? Luke 13:1-2

 

2. What did Jesus say will happen if you do not repent? Luke 13:3

 

3. What does Jesus say about the eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Saloam fell on them, and what does he repeat? Luke 13:4-5

 

4. If you do not believe Jesus is what, what will happen to you? John 8:24

 

5. Of what are you to repent, and what will you receive? Acts 2:38

 

6. What did Jesus tell the people, and what was planted in the man’s orchard? Luke 13:6

 

7. What did the man say to the gardener? Luke 13:7

 

8. What did Jesus do to the fig tree, and what did he tell his disciples? Matthew 21:19-21

 

9. What will happen to every tree that does not bear good fruit? Matthew 3:10

 

10. What did the gardener tell the man he would do in hopes it would bear fruit in the future, and what did he say to do if it did not bear fruit? Luke 13:8-9

 

Personal –  Repent means to change. How has your life changed since you have been studied God’s Word, and what fruit is evident from this change?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 103:1-4, 6-8, 11

(“Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 103:1-4, 6-8, 11.

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

EXODUS 3:1-8, 13-15

In today’s reading we are shown the startling contrast between Moses’ life as an Egyptian prince and his life as an obscure shepherd.  As a prince, he had everything done for him, and as the son of an Egyptian princess, he became very famous and very popular.  As a shepherd he experienced hard work, little recognition and much loneliness. He was now holding the very job he had been taught to despise. He lived in the hills unknown and as a foreigner. This must have been an incredibly humbling experience for Moses, but God in his infinite wisdom was preparing Moses for leadership.  Moses could not see this yet, but God was getting him ready to free Israel.

God spoke to Moses from an unexpected source: a burning bush. When Moses saw it, he went to investigate. God often uses unexpected sources when working in our lives.  You can be open to investigate as God speaks through his people. He might speak to your spouse, parents, friend, relative, or anyone. You need to investigate and be open as Moses was open to God’s use of people or experiences.

Be ready for God’s surprises. He may have guidance for you that can come when you are ready to listen to a “burning bush.” God told Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. Moses immediately obeyed and covered his face as well. Taking off his shoes was an act of reverence and conveying to God his own unworthiness. God is our friend, but he is first and foremost our sovereign Lord. When you worship God, do you approach him casually or as though you were an invited guest before a king.

 

1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6, 10-12

Today’s reading is a powerful example of what happens to a person, a people, or a nation when over confidence and lack of discipline bring about a great spiritual immaturity. This reading encourages us to remember our own Baptism and how we have been blessed to have God within us.  Like the people in today’s reading, we too have been guided through many raging storms and have been led through to safety by the love and power of God. They followed a cloud by day and fire by night.

We have Christ within us personally. We can have instant access to him if we so desire. The world today, as the Egyptians tried to do to the Israelites, is trying to drive us into the sea of despair and destruction.  Because we are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), we can call upon the power of the Holy Spirit within us (1 John 4:4) and calm the storms that rage in different times of our lives.

We need to remember, just as the Israelites needed to remember, that unless we continue to be people of prayer, worship, and doers of God’s Holy Word, we will be rebellious, and we will die in our wilderness too.  The pressures of today’s world makes it easy to forget the lessons of the past, but the daily reading of Scripture will be a powerful reminder of how God wants us to really live. We do not need to make the same mistakes as the people in today’s reading. We have been given the tremendous gift of free will.  Our God is a God of love, and we have within us the power of the Holy Spirit to help us choose to love.

 

LUKE 13:1-9

Today’s Gospel is a call to repentance. Being killed or staying alive are not measures of righteousness in themselves. Everyone will die at some time; that is part of being human. But not everyone needs to stay dead. Jesus promises all of us that if we believe in him, we will not perish, but instead we will have eternal life (John 3:16).

There are many people in our communities, and even in our families, who are like the fig tree in today’s reading. They are being nurtured through life, and they are not producing any fruit. They refuse to listen on how to bear good fruit, and finally, many of them die or are cut down. We need to really hear what is being said in today’s Gospel because we are like that tree and we need to repent. We need to be watered and re-cultivated or we will be ripped out and thrown away. Jesus died for us; he has left his Spirit to help us grow.

Our church embraces us with the teachings of Christ, the sacraments, Holy Scripture, fellowship; all of this to help us bear the fruits of love. We are bearers of a wonderful kind of life-giving fruit. They will know who we are when they see and taste our fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  This is the kind of fruit we were meant to bear.

Jesus is constantly pleading to save your tree of life within you. Listen to him today. Let him open your roots and root out all the rotten growth through the sacrament of reconciliation. Let Jesus love you through prayer and his Holy Word, and spend time just listening to him.  Let him make you his delight once again.

 

Application

The first reading tells how Moses saw the burning bush and investigates just as we should investigate.  In the second reading we see our baptism is constantly being experienced throughout our lives.  The Gospel says a Christian is born to never die, but to live forever.

This week, like Moses, look and listen to God speak. He may be speaking through someone in your family. Moses heard him in a “burning bush.”  Your baptism made you a temple of the Holy Spirit, and your language reflects your attitude of what you think is inside your temple. Let those around you hear only words that are honorable and acceptable in the presence of a king. What kind of fruit do you bear?  Ask those closest to you what kind of fruit they see in you?  This week, spend time in pruning, nurturing, and watering your tree of life, and your fruit will feed your family.

Lectio Divina – Third Sunday of Lent (March 20th) – Cycle C

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

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

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

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

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

Luke 13:1-9 – Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” And He told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in His orchard, and when He came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Tercer Domingo de Cuaresma (20 de Marzo) – Ciclo C

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

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

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

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

 

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

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA EXODO 3:1-8, 13-15 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Esto es lo que le dirás a los Israelitas: YO-SOY me ha enviado a ustedes.”)

1. ¿Qué estaba haciendo Moisés, a donde fue, cómo se llamaba ese lugar? Exodo 3:1

 

2. ¿Cómo se apareció a Moisés el ángel del Señor? ¿Por qué se encontraba Moisés sorprendido? ¿Qué decidió hacer? Exodo 3:2-3

 

3. ¿Qué edad tendría Moisés aproximadamente cuando se le aparecio el ángel? Hechos 7:23, 30

 

4. ¿Qué hizo y dijo Dios a Moisés cuando este se acercó a la zarza? Exodo 3:4-6

 

5. ¿Cuál dijo Jacob que era la puerta del cielo? Génesis 28:17

 

6. ¿De qué tuvo miedo Moisés? Exodo 3:6

 

7. ¿Qué dijo el Señor que había visto, qué conocía y a qué bajo? Exodo 3:7-8

 

8. ¿Qué debemos hacer por los que son llevados a la muerte?  Proverbios 24:11

 

Personal – ¿Sabiendo que el Señor ha rescatado a Su pueblo de la esclavitud y la muerte, qué has hecho tú para continuar siendo Sus manos y sus pies, rescatando a los que se planea abortar? ¿Qué puedes hacer en esos lugares donde van a abortar para que sepan de Su presencia?

 

9. ¿Qué contestó y qué preguntó Moisés a Dios? ¿Cuál dijo Dios que era Su nombre?  Exodo 3:13-14

 

10. ¿Qué le dijo Dios a Moisés que les dijera a los Israelitas?  Exodo 3:15

 

11. ¿Cuánto tiempo dura el nombre de Dios? ¿Cuál es Su título?  Salmo 135:13

 

12. ¿Quién entrará en el reino de los cielos?  Mateo 7:21

 

Personal – ¿Cómo llamas a Aquel que te ha enviado y a qué te ha enviado?

 

 

TERCER DIA 1 CORINTIOS 10:1-6, 10-12 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Así pues, el que crea estar firme, tenga cuidado de no caer.”)

1. ¿De qué quería Pablo que los hermanos se dieran cuenta? 1 Corintios 10:1-2

 

2. ¿En quién y con quién has sido bautizado? Romanos 6:3

 

3. ¿Qué comieron y qué bebieron todos ellos, de qué clase de roca bebieron y quién era la roca? 1 Corintios 10:3-4

 

4. ¿Qué alimento espiritual les dió a nuestros antepasados? ¿Qué alimento espiritual nos dá a nosotros? Juan 6:31 y Juan 6:35

 

5. ¿Por qué cayeron nuestros antepasados? 1 Corintios 10:5-6 y Hebreos 3:17

 

6. ¿Qué hizo el Señor con los incrédulos? Judas 5

 

7. ¿Qué no debemos hacer así como hicieron algunos de nuestros antepasados? 1 Corintios 10:10

 

8. ¿Por qué se han escrito estas cosas? ¿De qué debes tener cuidado? 1 Corintios 10:11-12

 

9. ¿Por qué no te vuelves altanero, qué es lo que te sostiene? Romanos 11:20

 

Personal – ¿Qué actitudes que no son agradables a Dios has adquirido de tus antepasados? ¿Cómo podrías o como has podido superarlas?

 

 

CUARTO DIA LUCAS 13:1-9 EVANGELIO

(“Si no se arrepienten, ustedes perecerán como ellos.”)

1. ¿Qué le contaron a Jesús algunos, cuál fue Su respuesta? Lucas 13:1-2

 

2. ¿Qué dijo Jesús que pasará si no te arrepientes? Lucas 13:3

 

3. ¿Qué dijo Jesús acerca de las 18 personas que fueron aplastadas cuando la torre de Siloé se derrumbó? ¿Qué les repitió? Lucas 13:4-5

 

4. ¿Qué te pasará si no creés que Jesús es qué? Juan 8:24

 

5. ¿De qué debes arrepentirte y qué recibirás? Hechos 2:38

 

6. ¿Qué le dijo Jesús a la gente? ¿Qué estaba plantado en la viña de un hombre? Lucas 13:6

 

7. ¿Qué le dijo el hombre al viñador? Lucas 13:7

 

8. ¿Qué le hizo Jesús a la higuera y qué les dijo a Sus discípulos? Mateo 21:19-21

 

9. ¿Qué le pasará a todos los árboles que no den buenos frutos? Mateo 3:10

 

10. ¿Qué dijo el viñador al hombre que haría para ver si el árbol daba fruto en el futíro? ¿Y si no lo daba que se haría? Lucas 13:8-9

 

Personal – Arrepentirse significa Cambiar. ¿Cómo ha cambiado tu vida desde que estás estudiando la Palabra de Dios, qué frutos se han hecho evidentes con este cambio?

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE EL SALMO 103:1-4, 6-8, 11

(“El Señor es tierno y compasivo, es paciente y todo amor.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 103:1-4, 6-8, 11.

¿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

EXODO 3:1-8, 13-15

En la lectura de hoy se nos muestra el asombroso contraste entre la vida de Moisés como príncipe Egipcio y su vida como un insignificante pastor. Como príncipe, todo lo hacían por él; siendo hijo de una princesa Egipcia, se hizo muy famoso y muy popular. Como pastor el sabía lo que era trabajar duro, sin ser premiado y con mucha soledad. Ahora tenía el trabajo que antes se le había enseñado a despreciar. Vivía en las colinas como un desconocido y como un forastero. Esto debió haber sido una increible experiencia de humildad para Moisés, pero Dios en Su infinita sabiduría estaba preparándolo para ser un líder. Moisés no podía ver esto entonces, pero Dios lo estaba preparando para libertar a Israel.

Dios le habló a Moisés desde una fuente inesperada: una zarza ardiente. Cuando Moisés la vió, fue a investigar. Con frecuencia Dios se vale de fuentes inesperadas cuando esta trabajando algo en nuestra vida. Tú también puedes ir a investigar. Dios también habla a traves de las personas. El quizá le hable a tu conyuge, a tus padres, a algún amigo, a un pariente, a cualquiera. Tú debes investigar y abrirte como Moisés  ya sea que El se valga de esas personas o de algunas experiencias.

Debes estar listo para las sorpresas de Dios. El podrá decirte por donde ir cuando estés listo para escuchar a “la zarza ardiendo.” Dios le dijo a Moisés que se quitara los zapatos porque estaba pisando tierra santa. Moisés obedeció inmediatamente y no solo se descalzo sino que cubrió su rostro. Quitarse los zapatos fue un acto de reverencia y le dió a entender a Dios que se sentía indigno. Dios es nuestro amigo, pero primero y más que nada es nuestro Señor y Soberano. ¿Cuando adoras a Dios te le acercas de un modo despreocupado o como alguien que fuera invitado a presentarse ante un rey?

 

1 CORINTIOS 10:1-6, 10-12

La lectura de hoy es un ejemplo muy claro de lo que le acarrea a una persona, a una población ó a una nación el confiarse demasiado y no disciplinarse, una grán inmadurez espiritual. Esta lectura nos anima a recordar nuestro Bautizmo y como hemos sido bendecidos con tener a Dios dentro de nosotros mismos. Como la gente de la lectura de hoy, nosotros hemos sido guiados a traves de tormentas espantosas y traidos a un lugar seguro por medio del amor y el poder de Dios. Ellos siguieron la nube de día y el fuego de noche.

Tenemos a Cristo dentro de nosotros de modo personal. Podemos tener acceso inmediato a El si así lo deseamos. El mundo de hoy, como los Egipcios trataron de hacer a los Israelitas, está tratando de guiarnos hacía el mar de la desesperación y la destrucción. Pero debido a que somos templos del Espíritu Santo (1 Corin. 6:19), podemos pedir el poder del Espíritu Santo que está dentro de nosotros (1 Juan 4:4) y calmar la tormenta que se descarga en los distintos momentos de nuestra vida.

Recordemos, así como los Israelitas necesitaron recordar, que a menos que continuemos siendo un pueblo que haga oración, que adore a Dios y haga lo que Su Santa palabra dice, seremos unos rebeldes y moriremos en nuestro desierto tambien. Las presiones del mundo de hoy hacen fácil el olvidar las lecciones del pasado, pero la lectura diaria de las Escrituras será una poderosa manera de recordar como es que Dios quiere realmente que vivamos. No necesitamos hacer los mismos errores que hicieron los hombres de la lectura de hoy. Se nos ha dado el inmenso regalo de la libertad de hacer nuestra voluntad. Nuestro Dios es un Dios de amor y tenemos dentro el poder del Espíritu Santo para ayudarnos a escoger el amar.

 

LUCAS 13:1-9

El Evangelio de hoy es un llamado al arrepentimiento. El que nos maten o el estar vivos no es una indicación de que seamos justos de por sí. Todos eventualmente moriremos, es parte de la naturaleza humana. Pero no todos necesitamos permanecer muertos. Jesús nos prometió a todos que si creemos en El, no pereceremos, sino que tendremos vida eterna (Juan 3:16).

Hay muchas personas en nuestra sociedad y aún en nuestra familia que se parecen a la higuera de la lectura de hoy. Han sido alimentadas toda la vida y no están produciendo ningún fruto. Rehusan escuchar como se dan los frutos buenos y finalmente muchos de ellos mueren o son cortados. Necesitamos oir lo que dice el Evangelio de hoy pues somos como aquella higuera y debemos arrepentirnos. Necesitamos ser regados y recultivados si no, nos arrancarán y nos tirarán. Jesús murió por nosotros; El ha dejado Su Espíritu para que nos ayude a crecer.

Nuestra iglesia nos rodea con las enseñanzas de Cristo, los sacramentos, las Sagradas Escrituras, la convivencia; todo ello para ayudarnos a dar frutos de amor. Somos productores de una maravillosa clase de fruta que da la vida. Así sabrán quienes somos cuando vean y prueben nuestros frutos de amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, amabilidad, generosidad, fidelidad, gentileza y control de nosotros mismos. Esta es la clase de frutas que debemos dar.

Jesús constantemente te ruega que salves tu árbol de vida que tienes dentro. Escúchalo hoy mismo. Déjalo que abra tus raices y que saque todo lo podrido por medio del sacramento de la reconciliación. Deja que Jesús te ame a traves de la oración y de Su Santa Palabra y toma un tiempo únicamente para oirlo. Permítele que se deleite contigo otra vez.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura dice como Moisés vió la zarza ardiendo e investigó, así como nosotros debemos investigar. En la segunda lectura vemos que nuestro bautizmo esta constantemente presente a traves de nuestras vidas. El Evangelio dice que el Cristiano ha nacido para no morir nunca y para vivir por siempre.

Esta semana como Moisés, mira y escucha a Dios hablándote. Quizá te está hablando a traves de alguien de tu famila. Moisés lo oyó en una “zarza ardiendo.” Tu bautizmo te hace un templo del Espíritu Santo y tu lenguaje refleja tu actitud de lo que crees que hay dentro de tu templo. Deja que los que te rodean oigan únicamente palabras que sean honorables y aceptables en la presencia de un rey. ¿Qué clase de frutos darás? ¿Pregúntales a los que están mas cercanos a tí que clase de fruto ven en tí? Esta semana, pasa un tiempo, recortando, alimentando, regando tu árbol de vida y tus frutos alimentarán a tu famila.

Second Sunday of Lent (March 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 GENESIS 15:5-12, 17-18 FIRST READING

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

7. Who does Paul love? Philippians 4:1

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ LUKE 9:28-36 GOSPEL

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

(“Wait for the Lord, take courage;”)

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

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

GENESIS 15:5-12, 17-18

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

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

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

 

PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1

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

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

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

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

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

 

LUKE 9:28-36

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

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

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

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

 

Application

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

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

Lectio Divina – Second Sunday of Lent (March 13th) – Cycle C

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

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

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

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

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

Luke 9:28-36 – Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While He was praying His face changed in appearance and His clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with Him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His exodus that He was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. As they were about to part from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Segundo Domingo de Cuaresma (13 de Marzo) – Ciclo C

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

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

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

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

 

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

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA GENESIS 15:5-12, 17-18 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Yo soy el Señor que te sacó de Ur…”)

1. ¿El Señor tomó a Abram y lo llevo afuera, qué le dijo ahí? Génesis 15:5

 

2. ¿En quién puso Abram su fé y debido a eso como fue considerado? Génesis 15:6

 

3. ¿De dónde vienen los méritos que poseé Pablo? Filipenses 3:9

 

4. Leé las siguientes escrituras y dí cuáles pueden aplicarse a tí mismo.

Romanos 4:3, 9, 22

Gálatas 3:6

Santiago 2:23

 

5. ¿De dónde vino Abram? Génesis 15:7

 

6. ¿Qué pregunta le hizo Abram al Señor? Génesis 15:8

 

7. ¿Qué le dijo el Señor a Abram que hiciera y qué revoloteaba sobre los cádaveres? Génesis 15:9-11

 

8. ¿Qué hizo Abram cuando vinieron las aves de rapiña? Génesis 15:11

 

9. ¿Qué sucedió con Abram cuando el sol estaba a punto de ponerse? Génesis 15:12

 

10. ¿En las siguientes escrituras cuáles serán algunas maneras similares que simbolizan la presencia de Dios? Exodo 19:17-19

Hechos 2:3-4

 

11. ¿Qué hizo el Señor con Abram en esa ocasión? Génesis 15:18

 

12. ¿En quién se cumplió este pacto?  Josué 1:1-9

 

Personal – ¿Tienes ahora una relación adecuada con Dios? ¿Creés en las promesas que Dios ha hecho en la Biblia? ¿Sabes cuáles son las promesas de Dios y los pactos que ha hecho con Su pueblo? Reflexiónalo y habla con Dios sobre ello.

 

 

TERCER DIA FILIPENSES 3:17-4:1 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“…sigan así firmes en el Señor, amadísimos míos.”)

1. ¿A quién debemos imitar, a quién debemos tener como guía? Filipenses 1:1 y 3:17

 

2. ¿Cómo se conducen algunos y qué les pasará por eso? Filipenses 3:18-19

 

3. ¿Cuál es su dios y su gloria y en que viven pensando? Filipenses 3:19

 

4. ¿Dónde está nuestra patria y qué es lo que esperamos? Filipenses 3:20

 

5. ¿Qué hará el Señor con nuestros cuerpos? Filipenses 3:21

 

6. ¿Semejante a qué hará nuestros cuerpos? ¿Por qué? Filipenses 3:21

 

7. ¿A quién ama Pablo? Filipenses 4:1

 

8. ¿Quién dice Jesús que son sus hermanos? Mateo 12:46-50

 

9. ¿Qué le dice Pablo a sus hermanos? Filipenses 4:1

 

Personal – ¿Cuánto tiempo ocupas en el cuidado de tu cuerpo? ¿Ansías ver que el Señor rehaga tu cuerpo? ¿Cómo puedes “mantenerte firme” como nos dice Pablo que hagamos?

 

 

CUARTO DIA LUCAS 9:28-36 EVANGELIO

(“Este es mi Hijo, mi Elegido; escúchenlo.”)

1. ¿Qué les dijo Jesús ocho días antes de que llevara consigo a Pedro, Juan y Santiago a un cerro a orar? Lucas 9:27

 

2. ¿En qué otras ocasiones estuvieron Pedro, Juan y Santiago con Jesús? Lucas 8:51-52 y Marcos 14:32-33

 

3. ¿Qué fueron a hacer al cerro? Lucas 9:28

 

4. ¿Qué le pasó al rostro y a la ropa de Jesús cuando estaba orando? Lucas 9:29

 

5. ¿Quiénes empezaron a conversar con Jesús? Lucas 9:30

 

6. ¿Cómo aparecieron y sobre qué hablaron? Lucas 9:31

 

7. ¿Qué les pasó a Pedro y los que estaban con él cuando despertaron? Lucas 9:32

 

Personal – ¿Como creés que reaccionarías si estando en oración te quedaras dormido y al despertar vieras a Jesús, Moisés y Elías? ¿Creés que esto es posible?

 

8. ¿Cuando los hombres se alejaron, qué le dijo Pedro a Jesús? Lucas 9:33

 

9. ¿Qué los cubrió mientras Pedro hablaba? ¿Cuál fue la reacción de los discípulos? Lucas 9:34

 

10. ¿Qué vino de la nube y qué fue dicho? Lucas 9:35

 

11. ¿Quién volvió a estar solo cuando la voz guardó silencio? ¿Hablaron los discípulos sobre ésto en esos días? Lucas 9:36

 

Personal – ¿De qué modo has escuchado a Jesús durante esta semana? ¿Le hablas y después escuchas lo que El tiene que decirte por medio de Su Palabra? ¿Qué es lo que Dios quiere hacer de tí? ¿Permites a Dios que te transforme? Cuando lo estés haciendo tú también serás transformado como lo dice 2 Corintios 3:18.

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE EL SALMO 27:1, 7-9, 13-14

(“Ten confianza en el Señor, ten valor;”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 27:1, 7-9, 13-14.

¿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

GENESIS 15:5-12, 17-18

A Abram no se le prometió riqueza o fama, eso ya lo tenía. Lo que Dios le prometió a Abram fue que sus descendientes serían innumerables y Abram era un hombre viejo sin herederos para su propia fama y fortuna. Vemos a Dios prometiendo cambiar todo eso y Abram lo cree con todo su corazón, mente y alma. La fe de Abram fue una fuerte respuesta a la presencia viva y el poder de Dios en su vida. Su fe lo hizo justo a los ojos de Dios.

Nosotros también podemos tener esa clase de relación con Dios cuando le confiamos a El nuestra vida. Nuestras acciones visibles, nuestra asistencia a la iglesia, oraciones, buenas obras y aún la lectura de las Sagradas Escrituras por sí mismas no nos harán justos a los ojos de Dios. Una relación correcta se basa en la fé. Tenemos confianza en que Dios es quien El dice que es y que El hace lo que El dice que hará. Las acciones rectas vendrán como un producto natural de una fe firme.

Hemos leído de los errores de Abram y sabemos que no era perfecto. Pero, aunque humano y pecador, Abram creyó y confió en Dios. Fue la fe y no la perfección la que hizo justo a Abram ante los ojos de Dios. El mismo principio se nos aplica a nosotros. Nuestra primera respuesta debe ser creer en Dios y confiar en El absolutamente. El pacto de Dios con Abram fue asunto serio. Representaba una promesa increible de parte de Dios y una grán responsabilidad de parte de Abram. Para confirmarle Su promesa Dios le dio una señal, un calentador humeante y una antorcha encendida. Dios nos confirma Su promesa cuando nos dá a Jesucristo como Salvador y Señor de manera personal.

 

FILIPENSES 3:17 – 4:1

Pablo invita ardientemente a los Filipenses a fijarse en él como modelo a imitar en su intento de vivir como Cristo. No quería decir que éllos debían copiarlo como si él fuera perfecto, sino en que se centraran en que sus vidas fueran como la vida de Cristo. No se habían escrito los Evangelios aún, de modo que Pablo no podía decirles que leyeran la Biblia para aprender como era Cristo. Por eso Pablo los invita a seguir su ejemplo como testimonio personal de su carácter.

Debemos preguntarnos a nosotros mismos que clase de seguidor será un nuevo Cristiano si él o élla nos imita. Hay un viejo dicho que es adecuado y dice “Para algunos, la única Biblia que leerán en su vida serás tú.” Pablo era firme en su comentario acerca de tener manga ancha, de ser un Cristiano comodín. Esa es gente que dice ser Cristiana pero no viven conforme al modelo de ser un servidor de Cristo. Hay muy pocos sacrificios en sus actitudes y en sus acciones. Primero satisfacen sus deseos propios sin pensar antes en las necesidades de otros.

Libertad en Cristo no significa libertad para ser egoísta, significa tener la oportunidad de servir. Unicamente podremos ser verdaderos servidores del Señor cuando nos neguemos a nosotros mismos. O sea cuando pongamos a los otros primero y eso significa que todos estamos llamados a “caminar el camino tanto como a hablar lo que se ha de hablar.” Pablo fue muy claro declarando que los cuerpos que recibiremos siendo Cristianos cuando resucitemos serán como el cuerpo resucitado de Cristo.

Pablo anima a sus oyentes a dar gracias y nosotros debemos dar gracias hoy. Pues cuando Cristo regrese para llevarnos a Su reino eterno, seremos glorificados y completamente perfectos. Pablo termina esta lectura diciendo que él espera ver a sus hermanos y hermanas en el Señor. El desea renovar la vieja amistad y les pide que permanezcan firmes al Señor. Hoy en día esa súplica es muy importante y estamos llamados a permanecer firmes al Señor. El ataque que se nos hace como Cristianos es grande y solo manteniendonos firmes a Jesucristo y muy cercanos a Su Santa Palabra, iglesia y sacramentos podremos ser victoriosos con El.

 

LUCAS 9:28-36

Jesús tomó a Pedro, Juan y Santiago con El a la cima de un cerro para orar juntos a Su padre celestial. Los llevó ahí para mostrarles quien era realmente, no solo un grán profeta, sino el Hijo Unico de Dios. Recientemente les había dicho que ellos no morirían antes de haber visto el reino de Dios (Lucas 9:27). Se refería a la transfiguración. Los oyentes de Jesús no tendrían que esperar por un futúro Mesías. El les estaba diciendo que el reino estaba entre ellos y que pronto vendría con fuerza a traves del trabajo del Espíritu Santo.

Moisés, representando la Ley y Elías, representando a los profetas, aparecierón con Jesús y la voz de Dios señaló a Jesús como el largamente esperado Mesías con autoridad divina. Jesús podía llenar los dos aspectos la ley y la profecía ya que El era la suma de todos. La brillantez del rostro de Jesús fue vista por fin por primera vez por los apóstoles. Lo estaban viendo como realmente era. Moisés vio la brillantez deslumbrante en la nube al pie de la montaña y en la zarza ardiente al pie del desierto, pero mientras estuvo vivo, nunca vió la brillantez que radiaba del rostro de Cristo al pie del cerro. La transfiguración o cambio fue en los apóstoles pues ellos vieron a Jesús de una manera completamente nueva.

¿Has experimentado el milagro de la transfiguración en tu vida? ¿Le has pedido a Cristo que venga y viva en tu corazón? El con gusto habitará en tí si tu habitas en El (Juan 15:7). Jesús está tocando a la puerta de nuestro corazón y esperará todo el tiempo que sea necesario. Abrele hoy mismo la puerta de tu corazón y mira el radiante y brillante rostro de Jesús. El está esperando compartir Su transfiguración contigo y quiere que tú sirvas de testigo para otros, del milagro de Su amor y Su perdón.

Los apóstoles no querian irse del cerro pues el cambio era fabuloso y no querían arriesgarse a perder la exitación del momento. Jesús es el escogido y en El está todo el poder y la gloria. El quiere que los apóstoles bajen el cerro y vayan a hacer discípulos en todas las naciones (Mateo 28:19-20). Jesús nos está dando a nosotros el mismo mandato o sea dejar la seguridad de la cima del cerro e ir al obscuro y frio valle y guiar a nuestros hijos a un lugar seguro (Mateo 28:20). Y recuerda, cualquier cosa que hagas al último de mis hijos me lo haces a mí (Mateo 25:31-46).

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura muestra que la fe es la respuesta a la presencia viva y el poder de Dios en nuestra vida. La segunda lectura urge a los Cristianos llenos de fe a ser modelos de lo que es ser como Cristo. El Evangelio revela que convertirse a Cristo trae en nosotros una completa transfiguración.

Esta semana, permite que otros vean tu transfiguración. Enseñales que Cristo vive dentro de tí mediante tus acciones. Hazte el propósito de servir alegremente a los que te rodean y ellos notarán la radiante brillantez que viene de tí. Traerás más gente a Cristo por los buenos frutos que des (Gálatas 5:22-23).

Lectio Divina – First Sunday of Lent (March 6th) – Cycle C

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

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

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

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

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

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

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?