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Lectio Divina – 2nd Sunday of EASTER (Divine Mercy Sunday, April 16th) – Cycle A

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

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

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

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

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

John 20:19-31 – On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of  God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

Lectio Divina – EASTER Sunday (April 9th)

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

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

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

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

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

John 20:1-9 – On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that He had to rise from the dead.

 

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

DOMINGO DE PASCUA (April 9th) ‑ 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?
  2. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

SEGUNDO DIA                                   HECHOS 10:34, 37-43                      PRIMeRA LECTURA

(“Hemos bebido y comido con El después de Su resurrección.”)

  1. ¿A quién le estaba hablando Pedro? Hechos 10:24-28
  2. ¿Qué les dijo? Hechos 10:34-35
  3. ¿Cómo describe Deuteronomio 10:17 a Dios y qué dice que no hace El? 2 Crónicas 19:7
  4. ¿Porqué razón Dios no tiene favoritos? Job 34:19,  Sabiduría 6:7

Personal – ¿De qué manera muestras parcialidad con tus hijos, amigos, y compañeros de trabajo?  Pasa un tiempo solo con el Señor, arrepiéntete de esto y pídele al Señor su ayuda para poder ver a los demás a través de sus ojos.

  1. ¿Qué estaba siendo reportado acerca de Jesús de Nazaret por toda Judea? ¿Dónde comenzó y con qué?  Hechos 10:37-38
  2. ¿Quién ungió a Jesús, y quién ungió a Pablo, Silvano y Timoteo? Hechos 10:38, 2 Cor. 1:21-22
  3. ¿Cuáles son las dos cosas que hacia Jesús y quién estaba con El? Hechos 10:38
  4. ¿De qué son testigos, qué le hicieron finalmente a El y qué hizo Dios? Hechos 10:39-40
  5. ¿Qué les concedió Dios, y por medio de quién? Hechos 10:40-41
  6. ¿Quiénes son los escogidos y por qué motivo son escogidos? Efesios 1:13
  7. ¿Qué nos encargó hacer? Hechos 10:42
  8. ¿A quién envió a predicar a su pueblo? Marcos 3:14, 2 Corintios 4:1-2
  9. ¿Quiénes son sus discípulos hoy en día? Juan 8:31, Juan 13:35
  10. ¿De qué debemos dar testimonio y de qué dan testimonio todos los profetas? Hechos 10:42-43

Personal – ¿Qué observas en tu vida diaria como resultado de la unción y el poder del Espíritu Santo?  ¿Ve tu familia buenas obras y sanación en todo lo que haces?  Reflexiona sobre esto.

TERCER DIA                                       COLOSENSES 3:1-4                       SEGUNDA LECTURA

 (“Piensen en las cosas de arriba, no en las de la tierra.”)

  1. ¿Con quién has resucitado y dónde debes poner tu corazón? Colosenses 3:1
  2. ¿Dónde está sentado Jesucristo? Colosenses 3:1
  3. ¿Quién nos levantó y nos reservó un lugar en el cielo? Efesios 2:4-6
  4. ¿A qué debemos estar atentos y porqué? Colosenses 3:2-3
  5. ¿Cuáles son las cosas que están enraizadas en la tierra? Colosenses 3:5, 8, 9
  6. ¿Cómo podemos estar atentos en las cosas de arriba? Colosenses 3:10
  7. ¿Dónde está escondida nuestra vida ahora? Colosenses 3:3
  8. ¿Quién es Cristo para nosotros? Colosenses 3:4
  9. ¿Cuándo aparezca Cristo, qué nos pasará y cómo? Colosenses 3:4

Personal – Así como has muerto con Cristo a los deseos antiguos y a las cosas terrenales, ¿ven tus familiares, amigos y vecinos tu vida como un reflejo de la vida de Cristo?  En una hoja de papel, nombra algunas de las características de Cristo en una columna y en la otra columna pon las tuyas; Haz esto para un día entero y compara las dos columnas.

CUARTO DIA                                            JUAN 20:1-9                                            EVANGELIO

(“Vio y creyó.”)

  1. ¿Quién llegó a la tumba, qué hora era y qué día? Juan 20:1
  2. ¿Dónde estaba María Magdalena mientras Jesús estaba clavado en la cruz? Juan 19:25
  3. ¿Qué había echado fuera de María Magdalena, Jesús? Marcos 16:9
  4. ¿Qué vio María cuando llegó a la tumba? Juan 20:1
  5. ¿A casa de quién se fue corriendo y qué les dijo? Juan 20:2
  6. ¿Qué hicieron Pedro y el otro discípulo? Juan 20:3
  7. ¿Quién llegó primero a la tumba y cómo llegaron allí? Juan 20:4

Personal – ¿En qué forma te ves a ti mismo corriendo para ver donde está Jesús?  ¿Perseveras en esa carrera? ¿En quién tienes fijos los ojos?  ¿Te ven tu familia y amigos como alguien que mira al cielo o al suelo?

  1. ¿Qué hizo el discípulo cuando llegó a la tumba y qué vio tirado en el suelo? Juan 20:5
  2. ¿Qué hizo Pedro al llegar allí? ¿Qué observó en el suelo y en el lienzo que cubría la cabeza de Jesús?  Juan 20:6-7
  3. ¿Que hizo el discípulo que llego primero y cuál fue su reacción a esto? Juan 20:8
  4. ¿Qué se necesita para creer? Juan 1:12
  5. ¿Qué recibirás por creer en el nombre de Jesús? Juan 3:36
  6. Después que Jesús resucitó de entre los muertos, ¿qué llegaron a entender y creer los discípulos? Juan 2:22
  7. ¿Cuándo entendieron y creyeron? Lucas 24:30-32
  8. ¿Qué dice Jesús acerca de quienes no ven y creen? Juan 20:29

Personal – ¿Cómo has visto operarse un cambio en tu vida por medio de la lectura de las Escrituras?  ¿Has llegado a creer en la Palabra de Jesús por medio de la Biblia?  Recuerda, que Juan, nos dice que Jesús es la Palabra hecha carne.  Ora y pídele al Señor llenarte con el entendimiento de Su Palabra por medio del don del Espíritu Santo que has recibido de El.

QUINTO DIA                                SALMO 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

(“La mano del Señor hizo prodigios.”)

Lee y medita el Salmo 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23.

¿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

HECHOS 10:34, 37-43

Aleluya es una palabra de origen hebreo que significa “Alabad al Señor.”  En este gran Domingo de Pascua, damos gracias, expresamos nuestra gratitud y total alegría alabando a nuestro Señor Jesucristo.  Este pasaje demuestra claramente que la resurrección es la doctrina básica y, al mismo tiempo, prueba de la verdad de la fe cristiana.  La Escritura nos dice que si Cristo no hubiera resucitado, nuestra predicación y nuestra fe serían vanas (1 Cor. 15:14).

Hay muchos hoy en día que desdeñan la resurrección física y dicen que no tiene importancia.  Ellos dicen que la resurrección espiritual es la que verdaderamente cuenta.  San Pablo dice todo lo contrario.  Jesús se levantó de entre los muertos y fue visto por testigos que no solo le hablaron, sino que comieron con El. Los apóstoles estaban consternados el Viernes por la noche después de la crucifixión.  Permanecieron encerrados con llave por temor de que los soldados Romanos vinieran por ellos.  Inclusive, tenían temor de pensar que pudiera llegarles alguna buena noticia de Jesús.  Fue difícil convencerlos de que de verdad había resucitado aún cuando ya había sucedido.

Necesitamos reflexionar en este pasaje: ¿Lo hemos visto, hemos hablado con El, hemos comido con El?  El está vivo y nosotros, como el apóstol Pedro, estamos llamados a evangelizar y enseñar acerca de Jesús.  Estamos llamados a hacer amistad con todos quienes creen que resucitó y vive hoy en día. Necesitamos descubrir por medio de Cristo algo significativo acerca de nuestros prójimos, sean creyentes o incrédulos.  Ha resucitado para todo el mundo – ¡Aleluya! – ¡Aleluya!

COLOSENSES 3:1-4

En este pasaje, Pablo comienza por introducirnos al corazón del significado de nuestro bautismo. En los primeros días de la iglesia, el bautismo se hacía por inmersión total. Cuando escuchabas la historia de Cristo y estabas listo para creer en un solo Dios, Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo, entonces se te bautizaba metiéndote totalmente en el agua.  Eras limpiado de los pecados y de lo mundano.  La inmersión es un símbolo de morir y ser enterrados con Cristo.  Esto significa que el nuevo cristiano ya ha muerto para todos los deseos mundanos.  El/ella era levantado del agua, o de la tumba del pecado, para resucitar con Cristo. Pablo dijo: “Si has resucitado con Cristo, busca las cosas de arriba”; esto significa que debemos ser sinceros en lo que decimos y hacemos.

Hemos sido resucitados con Cristo y ya no necesitamos fijarnos en las cosas de la tierra.  Esto no quiere decir que faltemos a nuestra responsabilidad, ni tampoco basta con ser obedientes con nuestros padres y con la sociedad.  Tampoco significa que solamente tenemos que trabajar para mantenernos a nosotros y nuestras familias.  Significa que no debemos dejar que domine nuestra vida la ambición de posesiones terrenales.

Estamos llamados a amar a la gente, no a las cosas, o al dinero, poder, posición, etc.  Nuestras vidas deben mostrar que lo que hicimos en el bautismo tiene significado para toda nuestra vida.  Lo que hacemos tiene mucho más efecto en los demás que lo que podamos predicar.  Fuimos creados para tener felicidad sin fin en el cielo y ésta felicidad está a nuestro alcance, gracias a la muerte y resurrección de Cristo.  La gracia de Dios es la que nos ayuda diariamente en nuestra vida.  Recuerda, que Dios quiere que vayamos al cielo y El tiene planeada una Pascua de Resurrección para cada uno de nosotros.

JUAN 20:1-9

El plan divino para toda la humanidad fue cumplido por medio de la muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo.  Todos los hombres y mujeres pueden ahora ser llamados hijos de Dios por el acto de perfecta obediencia de Jesucristo. Por El, un día resucitaremos de nuestra sepultura con nuestros cuerpos glorificados, como Cristo.

La resurrección es la base de la nueva fe cristiana.  Si no hubiera sucedido, nunca hubiera comenzado la cristiandad.  No tendríamos por que celebrar la Pascua.  Pedro hubiera regresado con sus amigos pescadores a las barcas y las redes y Jesús hubiera sido olvidado al cabo de algunos años.

El descubrimiento de María Magdalena de una tumba vacía impresionó y causó temor.  Ella corrió donde estaba Pedro y le dijo que ella creía que alguien se había robado el cuerpo de Jesús.  Pedro tenía que ver por si mismo y averiguar los hechos.

Tal vez quieras poner atención a como encontraron la mortaja de Jesús, ordenadamente doblada después que descubrieron que el cuerpo de Jesús no estaba.  Si hubieran robado Su cuerpo, jamás hubieran dejado los lienzos ordenados.  Cuando los discípulos llegaron, quedaron totalmente sorprendidos al ver la tumba vacía.  Fue hasta entonces cuando recordaron que Jesús les había dicho que resucitaría.

Hoy en día mucha gente no creé en Jesús porque dicen que los “hechos” no concuerdan.  Nosotros solo podremos aceptar el hecho de la resurrección cuando hayamos tenido un encuentro personal con Cristo. El entendimiento de la resurrección toma un sentido especial en la medida en que comprometemos nuestra vida a Jesús y Su presencia permanece con nosotros.

La resurrección de Jesús es la base para nuestra fe porque la muerte, como nosotros la conocemos, no es el final.  La resurrección corporal de Jesús nos muestra que El es el gobernador del reino de Dios.  Por Su promesa, los que morimos a nosotros mismos con El, resucitaremos de entre los muertos con El.  Por El tú y yo podemos enfrentar el futuro sin miedo.  Porque por El tenemos Su Santo Espíritu viviendo en nosotros y protegiéndonos de todo mal (1 Juan 4:4).  Por El podemos dar testimonio a todo el mundo, que si cree en Cristo, también a ellos les dará la felicidad eterna.  Por El, toda la humanidad puede ser realmente libre y vivir eternamente.

¡Aleluya!  ¡Resucitó!  ¡Aleluya!  ¡Está Vivo!

Aplicación

La muerte de Jesús nos trajo liberación del pecado y de la muerte.  Ahora estamos llamados a liberar a otros del pecado y de la muerte aquí en la tierra.  Algunos de nosotros lo podemos hacer por medio de nuestro trabajo profesional, como médicos, abogados, políticos, educadores, hombres y mujeres de negocios, padres, hijos.

Esta semana preocúpate de liberar a alguien de tu familia, trabajo, etc., de algún trabajo concreto que sabes que no les agrada.  Procura que vean la alegría en alguien que realmente sabe que es libre.  Luego, reúne a diario a tu familia, y recen todos juntos para que puedan liberarse del pecado por medio de Jesucristo.  Por El, tú eres libre.  Dejemos que la libertad reine por toda esta tierra.

EASTER SUNDAY (April 9th) – CYCLE A

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

Application

The first reading showed us that suffering can lead to obedience. The second reading shows that humility is the cornerstone of leadership. And the Gospel tells us that suffering for something that you didn’t do and showing humility in your actions calls for spirituality that only Jesus can give.

This week, look around and see if you can be helpful and set an example of Christ to someone who is suffering. This could be your spouse, your children or someone at work.

 

 

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 ACTS 10:34, 37-43       FIRST READING

(“We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead.”)

  1. Whom was Peter addressing? Acts 10:24‑28

 

  1. What did he say to them? Acts 10:34‑35

 

  1. How does Deuteronomy 10:17 describe God, and what does it say he does not do?   2 Chronicles 19:7

 

  1. For what reason does God have no favorites? Job 34:19, Wisdom 6:7

 

Personal ‑ In what way do you show partiality with your children, your friends, and your co‑workers? Spend time alone with the Lord, repent of this, and ask the Lord to help you look at others through his eyes.

 

  1. What was reported all over Judea about Jesus of Nazareth? Where did it begin, and with what?   Acts 10:37‑38

 

  1. Who anointed Jesus and who anointed Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy?  Acts 10:38, 2 Corinthians 1:21‑22

 

  1. What two things did Jesus go about doing and who was with him?   Acts 10:38

 

  1. To what are they witnesses, what did they finally do to him, and what did God do?   Acts 10:39‑40

 

  1. What did God grant, and by whom? Acts 10:40‑41

 

  1. Who are the chosen and for what purpose are they chosen? Ephesians 1:13

 

  1. What did he commission us to do? Acts 10:42

 

  1. Whom has he sent to preach to the people? Mark 3:14, 2 Corinthians 4:1‑2

 

  1. Who are his disciples today? John 8:31, John 13:35

 

  1. To what are we to bear witness and to what do all the prophets testify?   Acts 10:42‑43

 

Personal ‑ What results and power do you see in your everyday life from your anointing with the Holy Spirit? Does your family see good works and healing taking place from your touch? Reflect on this.

 

 

THIRD DAY             READ COLOSSIANS 3:1-4        SECOND READING

(“Be intent on things above rather than things of earth.”)

  1. With whom have we been raised up, and on what should we set our heart?   Colossians 3:1

 

  1. Where is Christ seated? Colossians 3:1

 

  1. Who raised us up and gave us a place in the heavens? Ephesians 2:4‑6

 

  1. On what are we to be intent and why? Colossians 3:2‑3

 

  1. What are things that are rooted in earth? Col 3:5, 8-9

 

  1. How do we become intent on things above? Col 3:10

 

  1. Where is our life hidden now? Colossians 3:3

 

  1. Who is Christ to us? Colossians 3:4

 

  1. When Christ appears, what will happen to us and in what way?      Colossians 3:4

 

Personal ‑ As you have died with Christ to your old desires and to things rooted in this earth, do your family, friends, and work acquaintances see you as a reflection of Christ? On a sheet of paper, name some of the characteristics of Christ in one column and in another column list your characteristics through a 24‑hour day and compare the two columns.

 

 

FOURTH DAY              READ JOHN 20:1-9                 GOSPEL

(“He saw and believed.”)

  1. Who came to the tomb, what time was it, and what day was it? John 20:1

 

  1. Where was Mary Magdalene as Jesus hung on the cross? John 19:25

 

  1. What did Jesus drive out of Mary? Mark 16:9

 

  1. What did Mary see when she arrived at the tomb? John 20:1

 

  1. To whom did she run, and what did she say to them? John 20:2

 

  1. What did Peter and the other disciple do? John 20:3

 

  1. Who reached the tomb first, and how did they get there? John 20:4

 

Personal ‑ In what way do you see yourself running to see Jesus? Are you persevering in running the race? On whom are you keeping your eyes fixed? Do your family and friends see you as someone with eyes looking up or cast down? Read Hebrews 12:1‑­2.

 

  1. What did the disciple do when he got to the tomb and what did he see lying on the ground?   John 20:5

 

  1. What did Peter do when he got there? What did he observe on the ground, and what did he notice about the cloth which had covered Jesus’ head?   John 20:6‑7

 

  1. What did the disciple who had arrived first do, and what was his reaction to this?   John 20:8

 

  1. What does it take to believe? John 1:12

 

  1. What will you receive by believing in the name of Jesus? John 3:36

 

  1. After Jesus rose from the dead, what did the disciples come to understand and believe?   John 2:22

 

  1. When did they understand and believe? Luke 24:30‑32

 

  1. What does Jesus say about those who believe and have not seen?      John 20:29

 

Personal ‑ How have you seen a change take place in your life through reading the scriptures? Have you come to believe in the spoken Word of Jesus through the scriptures? Remember, John tells us Jesus is the Word made flesh. Pray and ask God to fill you with an understanding of the Word through his gift of the Holy Spirit that you received from him.

 

 

FIFTH DAY       READ PSALM 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

(“The right hand of the Lord has struck with power.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23.

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

ACTS 10:34, 37-43

Alleluia is a Hebrew word that means “praise ye the Lord.” On this great day of Easter Sunday we give thanks, gratit­ude and our complete joy in the form of praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. This passage strongly shows that the resurrection is the basic doctrine and proof of the truth of the Christian faith. We are told in scripture that if Christ has not risen, then our preach­ing is in vain, and our faith is worthless also (1 Cor. 15:14).

There are many today who disregard the physical resurrection and say that it is no big deal. They say that it is the spirit­ual resurrection that really matters. St. Paul says just the op­posite. Jesus rose from the dead, and then he was seen by witnes­ses who had not only spoken with him, but had actually eaten with him. The Apostles were devastated on Friday night after the cruc­ifixion. They remained locked in the upper room, fearful of what the Roman soldiers were going to do next. They were even too afraid to do any wishful thinking about their beloved master Jesus. They were hard to convince even when it happened.

We need to reflect on this passage. Have we seen him, have we talked with him, have we eaten with him? He is alive today, and like the Apostle Peter, we too are called to evangelize and teach about Jesus. We are called to fellowship with others who believe that he is risen and that he lives today. We need to dis­cover through Christ something significant about each other, both believers and non‑believers. He has risen for the whole world ‑ Alleluia ‑ Alleluia!

 

COLOSSIANS 3:1-4

In this passage, Paul begins by bringing us into the core meaning of our baptism. In the early days of the church, baptism was by total immersion. When you heard the story of Christ and you were ready to believe in the one true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, you were then immersed in water. You were cleansed from your sins and worldliness. Immersion was a symbol of being drowned or buried with Christ. This sig­nified that the new Christian has died to all earthly attachments and desires. He was raised out of the water or the tomb to be with the risen Christ. Paul said, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.” This means that we must mean what we say and do.

We have been raised with Christ and we no longer need to dwell on things of the earth. This does not mean we can walk away from responsibilities. It does not mean just being obedient to parents and to society. It does not mean just having to work to support ourselves or our families. It means that our earthly possessions must not dominate our life.

We are called to love people, not things, money, power, status, etc. Our lives need to show that what we did at baptism has life-long meaning. What we do is far more effective on others than what we say. We were created for unending happiness in heaven and this happiness is now within our grasp, thanks to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are helped in our daily living by God’s holy grace. Remember, God wants us to go to heaven and he has an Easter resurrection planned for all of us.

 

JOHN 20:1-9

The divine plan of God for all people was accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All would now be eligible to be called sons and daughters of God because of Jesus Christ’s perfect act of obedience. Because of him, we will one day, like Christ, rise from the grave in our glorified bodies.

The resurrection is the basis of the new Christian faith. Had it not happened, Christianity would never have started. There would have been no Easter Sunday. Peter would have returned with his compan­ions to their fishing nets and boats, and Jesus Christ would have been forgotten after a few short years.

Mary Magdalene’s discovery of an empty tomb brought shock and fear. She ran to Peter and told him that she thought someone had stolen the body of Jesus. Peter had to see for himself and check out the facts.

We might take notice how the clothes were folded after they discovered Jesus’ body was gone. They would not have been arranged that way if there had been a robbery. The disciples were completely surprised when they found the empty tomb. It was only then that they remembered that Jesus had said that he would rise again.

Many people today do not believ­e in Jesus because they say the “facts” do not check out. We can only accept the fact of the resurrection when we have first personally encountered Jesus Christ. The understanding of the resurrection takes on a special meaning as we commit our lives to Jesus and his presence remains with us.

Jesus’ resur­rection is the key to our Christian faith because death, as we know it, is not the end. Jesus’ bodily resurrection shows us that he is ruler of God’s kingdom. Be­cause of his promise, we who die to ourselves with him, will rise from the dead with him. Because of him, you and I can face tomorrow without fear. Because of him, we have his Holy Spirit living within us and protecting us against all evil (1 John 4:4). Because of him, we can witness to the whole world that if they believe in Jesus Christ, they may also receive eternal happiness. Because of him, all mankind can really be free and live forever.

Alleluia ‑ HE is Risen ‑ Alleluia ‑ HE is alive.

 

Application

Jesus’ death brought us freedom from sin and death. We are now called to free others from sin and death here on earth. Some of us can do that by our professions as medical people, legal people, politicians, educators, business people, parents, and children.

This week, free someone in your family, home, or work from a chore that you know they don’t like. Let them see that joy in someone who really knows that he is free. Then each day have your family gather together to pray that all may become free from sin through Jesus Christ. Because of him, you are free. Let freedom ring throughout this land.

Lectio Divina – Palm Sunday (April 2nd) – Cycle A

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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 – (Shorter version)

Matthew 27:33-44 – And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull), they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” Likewise, the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, “He saved others, he cannot save himself. So, he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.

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

Lectio Divina – 5th Sunday of Lent (March 26th) – Cycle A

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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 – (Shorter Version)

John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33-45 – The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” He became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, ”Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?” So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with the burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

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

Lectio Divina – 4th Sunday of Lent (March 19th) – Cycle A

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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  – (Shorter version)

John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 – As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” – which means Sent –. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a Sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

  1. What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

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

Lectio Divina – 3rd Sunday of Lent (March 12th) – Cycle A

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

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

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

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

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE  – John 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42 – Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” –For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one speaking with you.” Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in Him. When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

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

PASSION (PALM) SUNDAY (April 2nd) ‑ CYCLE A

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

Application

The theme is resurrection and the first reading shows the dry bones coming back to life and forming a new army of the Lord. The second reading tells us that if the Holy Spirit dwells within us we will then be controlled by the Spirit and not by the flesh and we will receive our reward in Heaven. The Gospel tells us that we need to put our attention upon Jesus and not on the temporary things of the world such as health, youth or power.

This week, listen to someone in your home and try to meet one of their needs: such as someone desiring to be understood, a car to be washed, a room cleaned, a child to be cared for, or lead someone in prayer.

 

 

 

SECOND DAY             READ ISAIAH 50:4‑7         FIRST READING

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

  1. Where did the well‑trained tongue come from, to whom has he given it and for what reason has he been given a well‑trained tongue?   Isaiah 50:4

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

THIRD DAY            READ PHILIPPIANS 2:6‑11      SECOND READING

(“Jesus Christ is Lord.”)

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

 

  1. Of who was he in the form? Philippians 2:6
  2. Who is Christ? John 1:1, 14

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  1. Who gives you the power to say, “Jesus is Lord?” 1 Cor. 12:3

 

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

 

 

 

FOURTH DAY          READ MATTHEW 26:14‑27:66             GOSPEL

(“For this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.”)

  1. Who went to the chief priest, what did he ask them and what were they willing to pay him to betray and hand Jesus over to them?   Matthew 26:14‑16

 

  1. What was paid to the owner for a gored slave? Ex 21:32

 

  1. What did the disciples ask Jesus on the first day of the feast of the unleavened bread and what did he say to them? Matthew 26:17‑18

 

  1. What did Jesus call himself and who prepared the Passover supper?   Matt 26:18‑19

 

  1. When it grew dark and in the course of the meal what did Jesus say to his disciples, how did they feel, and what was their response?  Matthew 26: 20‑25

 

  1. During the meal, what did Jesus do and say about the bread?   Matthew 26:26

 

  1. What did he do with the cup, who did he say must drink from it, for what reason and what did they do after this was said? Matthew 26:27‑30

 

  1. From what did Jesus quote, what did he say to them, and what was Peter’s response and all the other disciples? Matthew 26:31‑35, Zechariah 13:7

 

Personal ‑ In what way have you drunk from the cup of Jesus’ blood? Hebrews 9:22 says “According to the law almost everything is purified by blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Reflect on this.

 

  1. Where did Jesus go with his disciples and what did he say to them? Matthew 26:36

 

  1. Who did he take with him, what did he do and who did he address?   Matthew 26:37‑39

 

  1. What did Jesus pray to his Father, how many times did he say this to him and what were the disciples doing? Matt 26:39‑46

 

  1. While Jesus was still speaking, who arrived, who sent them, and how did his betrayer signal them?   Matthew 26:47‑48

 

  1. How was this fulfilled, what did Peter do, and what did Jesus say about this? Matthew 26:49‑56

 

  1. After they apprehended Jesus, where did they take him; where was Peter, and what were the chief priests trying to obtain? Matthew 26:57‑60

 

  1. When two came forward, what did they declare; what was the high priest’s reaction, how did Jesus act, and what was the verdict?   Matthew 26:61‑66

 

  1. What did they do to Jesus? Matthew 26:67‑68

 

  1. Where was Peter, what did he do, how many times did he do this and what did he do on hearing a cock crow? Matthew 26:69‑75

 

Personal ‑ How do you act when things get tough in your home or work environment? Do you keep your eyes on Jesus and stand firm with him or do you keep your eyes on your circumstances?

 

  1. What happened at daybreak, what was the fate of Jesus’ betrayer and what happened to the thirty pieces of silver for which Judas betrayed him? Matthew 27:1‑10

 

  1. When Jesus was arraigned before the procurator, what was said and what was his reaction? Matthew 27:11‑14

 

  1. What were they accustomed to doing on this occasion of a festival, who was Barabbas, what did Pilate say to them, and what did Pilate’s wife say? Matthew 27:15‑19

 

  1. What was the chief priest doing, what was the result and why did Pilate wash his hands? Matthew 27:20‑26

 

  1. Who sentenced Jesus to death? Matthew 27:2, 26

 

  1. What did they do next and of what was Jesus’ crown made? Matthew 27:27‑31

 

  1. On their way out, who did they meet, what did he do, where did they arrive, and what did they try to give him to drink? Matthew 27:32‑34

 

  1. When they crucified him, what did they do with his clothes, what did they put above his head, who was on each side of him and what were the people doing?   Matthew 27:35‑44

 

  1. Where was Jesus when people cried out, “He saved others but he cannot save himself?” Matthew 27:40‑42

 

  1. While Jesus hung on the cross what was over all the land? Matthew 27:45

 

  1. Complete Jesus’ words from the cross ‑ “Matthew 27:46

 

  1. When Jesus said these words, what did some of the bystanders say? Matthew 27:47

 

  1. What happened to the curtain in the sanctuary, the earth, and the bodies of the saints?   Matthew 27:51‑53

 

  1. What was the reaction of the centurion and his men and who looked on from a distance?   Matthew 27:54‑56
  2. Who was another of Jesus’ disciples, what did he do and what sealed the mouth of Jesus’ grave?   Matthew 27:57‑61

 

 

  1. What happened the next day, what did Pilate tell them, and what did they fix on the stone?   Matthew 27:62‑66

 

Personal ‑ In what way has the shedding of Jesus’ blood affected your life? This week, in preparation for Easter, reflect on the cleansing blood of Jesus in your life.

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

  

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY          READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ISAIAH 50:4‑7

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

This is a day of reflection. We are about to enter holy week. Let us not forget the actions and words of Isaiah’s suffering servant. We need to reflect how fast the crowd changed from adoring him to rejecting him. He took up his cross for us; I need to remember that I, too, am called to carry my cross for others as Christ did. Sometimes we think our cross is too heavy, or that it is unfair to carry such a heavy cross. How heavy is your cross compared to Christ’s? How is your Calvary compared to Jesus’ Calvary?

 

 

PHILIPPIANS 2:6‑11

Paul tells us that our attitudes should be like that of Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:5). He describes putting on the attitude of a servant rather than that of a king. Jesus though being God, did not demand his rights and privileges of royalty. He deliberately set them all aside and took on the role of a servant. There lies the incredible formula of a successful leader.

Jesus, a true leader serves all of us. He showed us that putting others first and being humble was the only way a person can become a real leader. The sheep followed the shepherd because they trusted him. People will follow a leader if they know that he has their welfare at heart. Jesus showed us everything of God’s character in human terms. He was obedient even unto death, and the type of death the Father chose for him was extremely painful.

Jesus is the perfect role model for us today. How many times do we demand our rights when we feel we are being treated less than fairly? The name of Jesus should bring to every Christian the name of a person who willingly died so that all could be free. He died for us knowing very well that we are sinners (Romans 5:8). Jesus voluntarily laid aside his divine rights, privileges, and position out of love for his Father. We, too, are called to lay aside our rights and privileges for our oppressed brothers and sisters in the Holy Name of Jesus.

 

 

MATTHEW 26:14‑27:66

The coming of the Messiah was a dream that the Jews envisioned for many, many centuries. They visioned the Messiah as one who would deliver the Jews from the tyranny of the pagan government that was ruling at the time. Judas wasn’t any different when he saw that possibility grow during the ministry of Jesus. The major difference, in what Judas hoped for and what was really happening, was that Jesus did not intend to bring a new and more powerful government to the people.

Judas expected to be on the inside of something really big. Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world. He only promised eternal life to all those who believe in him. He said he was the way, the truth and the life (John 14:1‑6). Judas finally realized that Jesus’ kingdom was not physical or political, but spiritual.

Many people today are being told that if they accept Jesus they will become handsome, beautiful, prosperous and healthy. That is not what Jesus promised. He told us that we have to pick up our cross and carry it daily. He told us that we would be persecuted in his name. He told us not to be concerned about what we wear and what we eat. He told us that if we are to rise with him we need to die with him also.

We are called to die to ourselves. We are called to put him on the throne of our lives. This is difficult to accept, because all honor and glory belongs to him and not to us. We can only do this when we are obedient to his Holy Word. The people shouted death, death, death to our Lord Jesus at the meeting of the Sanhedrin. Jesus was convicted of committing the sin of blasphe­my, a crime punishable by death. They not only rejected his claim but even crucified him on Calvary. You need to decide today, whether Jesus’ Words are blasphemy, or truth. The result of your decision is eternal.

 

 

Application

The first reading showed us that suffering can lead to obedience. The second reading shows that humility is the cornerstone of leadership. And the Gospel tells us that suffering for something that you didn’t do and showing humility in your actions calls for a spirituality that only Jesus can give.

This week, look around and see if you can be helpful and set an example of Christ to someone who is suffering. This could be your spouse, your children or someone at work.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (March 26th) ‑ CYCLE A

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

 BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

SECOND DAY            READ EZEKIEL 37:12‑14        FIRST READING

(“I shall put my Spirit in you and you will live.”)

  1. Who is Ezekiel? Ezekiel 1:1‑3

 

  1. Who is speaking, to whom is he speaking, and how is this done? Ezekiel 37:12

 

  1. How is prophesy put forth? 2 Peter 1:21

 

  1. What did the Lord say to the people? Ezekiel 37:12

 

  1. By his doing this, what will the people know? Ez 37:13

 

  1. What will he put in them and why? Ez 37:14

 

  1. Where will he settle them? Ez 37:14

 

  1. In what two ways does the Lord show them that he is the Lord? Ezekiel 37:12, 14

 

  1. What does the Lord say about what he promises? Ez 37:14

 

  1. What are some of the promises of God?

Matthew 10:42

Luke 24:49

Acts 1:4‑5

1 Corinthians 10:13

2 Peter 3:13

1 John 2:25

 

Personal ‑ How do you stand on the promises of God? In what way do you believe God will do what he says he will do for you in his Word? God is faithful and promises you life to the fullest. How do the promises of God penetrate your whole being? Allow his Spirit which he has given you to comfort and guide you in all you do.

 

THIRD DAY              READ ROMANS 8:8‑11        SECOND READING

(“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living      in you, then he will give life to your mortal bodies.”)

  1. What happens to those who are in the flesh? Romans 8:8

 

  1. What does Jesus say in John 6:63 about the flesh?

 

  1. Whose Spirit dwells in us? Romans 8:9

 

  1. Who are those who do not belong to Christ? Romans 8:9

 

  1. How do we know we belong to God? 1 John 4:2, 15

 

  1. If Christ is in us, what happens to the body? Romans 8:10

 

  1. What does the spirit do, and for what reason? Romans 8:10

 

  1. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have done what with the flesh? Galatians 5:24

 

  1. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us, what will happen to our mortal bodies and who will do this? Romans 8:11

 

  1. How will this be done? Romans 8:11

 

Personal ‑ How much time do you spend praising and thanking the Lord for dying for you so you could have life? How often do you recognize the power of his Spirit in your life? What does your family see in you? Ask someone in your family or a friend to evaluate how often they see the fruits of the Spirit manifested through you. Galatians 5:22-23. The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self‑control.

 

FOURTH DAY              READ JOHN 11:1‑45                GOSPEL

(“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”)

  1. What was a certain man’s name who was sick, what were the names of his two sisters, and what had the one sister done with the Lord?  John 11:1, 2; John 12:3

 

  1. What did the sisters inform Jesus, what was his response and even though Jesus loved Martha, her sister and Lazarus very much, what did he do?   John 11:3‑6

 

  1. What did he finally say to his disciples, what was their protest and what did Jesus answer them? John 11:7‑10

 

  1. After he uttered these words, what did he add, what was the disciples response, what was Jesus talking about, and what did the disciples think?   John 11:11-13

 

  1. What did Jesus say plainly about Lazarus, why was Jesus glad he was not there when he died, and when Jesus said “Let us go to him,” what did Thomas say? John 11:14-16

 

Personal ‑ How have you experienced fear of others-‑especially rejection-‑for following what you know God has called you to do or say? How have you been willing and obedient in following through? Have you been willing, as Thomas was, to die in order to stand with Jesus? How have you experienced rejection from your spouse, children, friends, work acquaintances, etc., because you have stood firm on God’s promises? Read Romans 8:35‑39 for reassurance.

 

  1. Who went to meet Jesus when she heard he was coming; who stayed home, and what did Martha say to Jesus? John 11:20-21

 

  1. Of what was Martha even now sure; what did Jesus say to her, and what was her response? John 11:22-24

 

  1. Who did Jesus tell her was the resurrection and the life, what did he say would happen to those who believe in him, and what will never happen to those who believe in him? John 11:25-26

 

  1. What was Jesus question to Martha, and what was her response. After she said this, she went back and called her sister Mary. What did she whisper to her, and what did she call him? John 11:26‑29

 

  1. What did the Jews do when they saw Mary get up quickly? How did Jesus feel when Mary fell at his feet and was weeping, what did he ask them, and what did they say? John 11:31‑34

 

  1. What did Jesus begin to do, and what was the reaction of the Jews to this?   John 11:35‑36

 

  1. What did Jesus say, what did Martha say to him, and what did he say to her?   John 11:39‑40

 

  1. Where did Jesus look when they took the stone away, and whom did he thank for having heard him, and of what was he always sure and why? John 11:41-42

 

  1. After he said this to the Father, what did he say loudly and how did the dead man come out? What did Jesus say to the crowd, and what did this cause many of the Jews to do? John 11:43‑45

 

Personal ‑ When you pray, in what way do you thank the Father, as Jesus did, for answering your prayer even if you have not yet seen the results? When you pray to the Father in the name of Jesus this week, practice thanking him for always hearing your prayer.

 

 

FIFTH DAY              READ PSALM 130:1‑8

(“I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his Word.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 130:1‑8.

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

 

SIXTH DAY          READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

EZEKIEL 37:12‑14

This passage reveals the vision Ezekiel had of a valley filled with dried up bones or skeletons. The bones represented the Jews in captivity -‑ scattered and dead. Ezekiel probably felt as though he was speaking to the dead as he preached to the exiles, because they rarely ever responded to his message. But these bones responded, and just as God brought life into these bones, he would breathe life again into his spiritually dead people. This passage is a tremendous message of hope for us today.

How many times have you been in a church and felt as if you were in the valley of dry bones that Ezekiel talked about? The dry bones represented the people’s spiritually dead condition. Your church may seem like a heap of dried bones to you, spiritually dead and with no vitality. God promised Ezekiel that he was going to restore his nation and any church regardless of how dry or dead it appeared to be.

Don’t give up on your church. Don’t leave it, rather pray for renewal, for God can and will restore it to life. The Lord tells Ezekiel that he will put his Holy Spirit into his people and his nation will again come alive (Ezekiel 37:14). The Lord promises you and me that very same miracle. The hope and prayer of every church should be that God will put his Spirit into it (37:14).

God is at work right now calling his people back to him, bringing New Life to dead churches through prayer, bible studies, evangeliz­ation, and the receiving of the sacraments. There is a call out to the church and it’s a call to holiness, and agents of holiness are clergy who assist the people. “I will replace the flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you and you shall live and know that I am the Lord.”

Come back and celebrate with us, we no longer are the valley of dry bones. We are the temples of the Holy Spirit. We bring to our churches the Spirit of the living God. Come back and let him breathe his Holy Spirit and you will come alive, too.

ROMANS 8:8‑11

The theme of this passage is like that of the first reading and of the Gospel. It is the theme of resurrection, and it tells us that before we were saved by Christ’s death on the cross, we were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we can choose to live for Christ because we are people of the Spirit, not of the flesh. The penalty of sin and its power over our lives died with Christ on the cross. This is an incredible assurance that our lives are secure in that we belong to Jesus Christ. This frees us to be completely obedient to his will and enjoy an unbroken fellowship with the Lord. This living in the spirit will affect all of our activi­ties. It will touch our work, our worship, our role as a married spouse, our role as a parent, even our role as a child. You will have a stronger hunger and desire to spend more quiet time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study. You will have a whole new outlook in your caring for others. Today many people wonder whether they really are Christians.

A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in him. People will see a difference in the way you live and act (Galatians 5:22‑23). You will learn how to pray (Romans) and you will be able to deal with the situations in your life with greater wisdom (Romans 8:28). You will receive power to do God’s will from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). You will be a tremendous partner in the building up of God’s church (Ephesians 4:12‑13).

Today there is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit is ours through the justification of Jesus Christ. This means because of what Jesus did for us, we are entitled to complete access to his Holy Spirit, his Father and, of course, we become heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven. You are a child of the Spirit! Rejoice and be glad!

 

JOHN 11:1‑45

Jesus had been preaching in the small towns and villages beyond the Jordan, when he received the news of Lazarus’ sickness. He knew that he would find Lazarus dead when he arrived in Bethany, but he also knew that he was going to perform a great miracle. The village of Bethany was just a little east of Jerusalem on the way to Jericho. The two sisters thought that they had a right to expect help from the Lord. They stepped forward and claimed that help.

We need to realize that a claim upon the power of Christ is the right of every one of his children. Once we have been redeemed by him, we belong to him. The contrast between the two women was very noticeable. Martha was the doer and Mary was the people person. Martha was irritated because Mary was not doing her kind of work. There was a definite clash between drudgery and devotion. Martha was looking more at things instead of person. She was looking at the tasks of the house and all the chores instead of remembering that she was part of a greater partnership of love.

That day her devotion turned into drudgery and Jesus admonished her for overlooking his wants. He wanted her receptivity, her presence, and companionship, but she had other ideas about his wants. So she cleaned and cooked, while Mary listened and conversed with Jesus. He told this to Martha, and he is telling you this very same message today.

Do you place your attention on things instead of people? Do you worry more about what your home looks like when a friend stops by to say hello? Are you afraid to tell a friend about how unhappy you are with your job? Do your children seem like they are drifting away from their faith or family? Jesus shows us tremendous insight in Mary’s ability to talk, listen and wait on the Lord. We need to do this more often. We need to wait on the Lord. He will come to us in many different places and in many different ways. He told the women that he is the resurrection and the life, and we are not to worry.

Is he the resurrec­tion of your life? Martha was an activist and Mary was a contemplative and they both were loved by Jesus. The activist pushes on to new frontiers and the contempla­tive waits and prays for God’s guidance and direction first. We need them both and Jesus looks to us to be bold and yet prudent in our walk to the kingdom. The Lord knew what he was doing in Lazarus’ life and he knows what he is doing in ours. Listen to him ‑ Listen to him ‑ Listen to him!

 

Application

The theme is resurrection and the first reading shows the dry bones coming back to life and forming a new army of the Lord. The second reading tells us that if the Holy Spirit dwells within us we will then be controlled by the Spirit and not by the flesh and we will receive our reward in Heaven. The Gospel tells us that we need to put our attention upon Jesus and not on the temporary things of the world such as health, youth or power.

This week, listen to someone in your home and try to meet one of their needs: such as someone desiring to be understood, a car to be washed, a room cleaned, a child to be cared for, or lead someone in prayer.