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Lectio Divina – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (June 12th) – 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

John 16:12-15 – Jesus said to His disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, He will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because He will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that He will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (June 12th) – 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 PROVERBS 8:22-31 FIRST READING

(“…and I found delight in the sons of men.”)

1. What is the firstborn of the Lord’s way, and what is the oldest of his words? Proverbs 8:1, 22

 

2. Where does wisdom cry aloud and raise her voice? Proverbs 1:20

 

3. When was wisdom poured forth, and what was not settled into place? Proverbs 8:23-26

 

4. What came with wisdom? Sirach 1:4

 

5. Where does all wisdom come from? Sirach 1:1

 

6. When will wisdom not cease? Sirach 24:9

 

7. How did God establish man? Wisdom 9:1-2

 

8. When was wisdom beside God? Proverbs 8:27-30

 

9. How was wisdom beside God, and what was she doing? Proverbs 8:30-31

 

10. In what did wisdom find delight? Proverbs 8:31

 

11. Who is the wisdom of God? 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

 

Personal –  In what way can you take delight in those around you and show the wisdom of God?  How can you recognize the wisdom of God, and what do you need to do to see it clearly playing on the surface of the earth?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ ROMANS 5:1-5 SECOND READING

(“…the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given us.”)

1. How have we been justified, and what do we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ? Romans 5:1

 

2. How have we been justified? Romans 4:24-25

 

3. How is the manifold wisdom of God made known and where and how do we get boldness and confidence to approach God? Ephesians 3:10-12

 

4. To what have we gained access, and in what do we boast? Romans 5:2

 

5. Of what else do we boast, and what does it produce? Romans 5:3

 

6. What does Christ do in our afflictions and what does this enable us to do? 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

 

7. For what do we need endurance? Hebrews 10:36

 

8. What does endurance produce? Romans 5:4

 

9. Who will never mature in character? Sirach 23:15

 

10. What does hope NOT do, what has been poured out in our hearts, and how has it been done? Romans 5:5

 

11. What was Paul’s hope? Philippians 1:20

 

12. How did God save us, and how did he pour it out on us? Titus 3:4-6

 

Personal – In what way has affliction produced endurance in your life? What has kept you going on, and how has the peace of God been evident in you during affliction?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 16:12-15 GOSPEL

(“He will guide you to all truth.”)

1. What was the reason Jesus did not tell his disciples any more? John 16:12

 

2. How did Jesus speak the parables to his disciples? Mark 4:33

 

3. Whom did Jesus say will guide us to all truth and what will he speak and declare to us? John 16:13

 

4. In what does Jesus ask you to be consecrated, and what is truth? John 17:17

 

5. Who will teach you and remind you of everything Jesus did? John 14:26

 

6. Who testifies to Jesus, and what are you also to do? John 15:26-27

 

7. What did Jesus say you would do if you love him, and for what would he ask the Father? John 14:15-17

 

8. What will the Spirit of truth do, and what will he give or tell you? John 16:14

 

9. What belongs to Jesus, and what is he giving you? John 16:15

 

10. What did the father say to the son who was with him? Luke 15:31

 

Personal – How has God’s Spirit guided you and taught you about Jesus and how to apply what he taught you to your life?  Give a specific example.

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 8:4-9

(“You have given him rule over the works of your hands.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 8:4-9.

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

PROVERBS 8:22-31

The Book of Proverbs gives us a person’s poetic demonstration of God’s wisdom.  Christian believers have always read this passage as a prophetic allusion to Jesus Christ, the second person of the Blessed Trinity.  This reading was about the word that would be made flesh in Jesus. Nothing is more immediate than the awesome spectacle of life, and nothing is more real than the wonder of creation.

Today’s reading shows us how to discern God’s hand at work in the world, and how to see the Father’s life-giving energy behind every created beauty.  The mystic in us “knows God” as we are struck with a sense of the sacred while gazing at a sunset. God is telling us that wisdom is the foundation on which all life is built.  Today’s reading shows wisdom as being the special attribute of God. Wisdom was present at the creation and works even today with the Creator as in the beauty of the sunset. Wisdom affects every aspect of our entire lives, from beginning to end.

You need to be sure that God’s wisdom flows through you and opens all corners of your life to God’s direction and guidance. Wisdom will be our main attribute when we put God first in our lives (Matthew 6:33). Look at your values and priorities. What is most important to you?  Where is God on that list?  Keep him first in everything you do. He will crown your efforts with his wisdom and his understanding.  You will see others with spiritual vision instead of plain human vision. Remember, the difference between wisdom and common sense is that common sense is the ability God gives to all people to think and make choices; he only gives wisdom to those who follow him.

 

ROMANS 5:1-5

In this reading, St. Paul states that the core of our belief in the Trinity, is that we come to the Father through Jesus in the love which is the Holy Spirit.  Paul was writing to ordinary Christians, like us, about the experience of God’s love flooding the human heart. Nothing is more tangible than an intensely felt love or even our longing for it, and Paul boldly connects that experience with the Holy Spirit.

Paul is speaking about a peace that means being reconciled with God, knowing that he loves you not for what you do but simply because of who you are. Jesus paid the price for this special kind of relationship with his death on the cross. Because of Jesus, we have entry into the presence of the King of Kings and entry into the haven of God’s grace.

Our relationship with God has begun in faith which reveals to us that we are delivered from our past by Christ’s death. Hope grows as we learn all that God has in store for us, and God’s love supplies all our needs and enables us to reach out to others. In the future we will become, but now we must overcome. Scripture tells us that “eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor can man even comprehend what God has in mind for those who believe in him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

We can put all of our trust in God because he is in control of our future.  We can look at our times of difficulties and know, even if we do not understand how, that we will grow emotionally as well as spiritually. Problems we run into will develop our patience, which in turn will strengthen our character and deepen our trust in God.  Thank God for these opportunities to grow, and deal with them in his strength.

 

JOHN 16:12-15

Jesus teaches the apostles about the availability of the Holy Spirit. He told them that the Holy Spirit would teach them about the nature of their ministry. He also told them that they would face very difficult opposition and that the outcome of their opposition would be revealed by the Holy Spirit. They did not understand any of this until after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit then revealed truths to them, and they in turn formed the writing of the New Testament. It is very important for you to remember that the truth into which the Holy Spirit guides you is the truth about Christ. The name for his followers bringing the revealed truth about Christ to all men through generation after generation is Christian “Tradition.”

Understanding of this revelation is bound to be an ongoing process, because Jesus knew that the disciples were not capable of understanding at that point in time. He knew that his Spirit that followed him would enlighten, empower, and sanctify his followers. He knew that they would need time to fully understand their role in bringing Christianity to the waiting world.

He knows of our limitations today, and he has left the same Holy Spirit for us to receive and to empower us. The development of the apostles’ faith and the faith of the early church demonstrate to the whole world that the Holy Spirit is revealing the truth of Christ to all peoples. All truth is God’s truth, and the revelation of all truth is the work of the Holy Spirit. When you say “Yes, Lord,” the power of the Holy Spirit reveals to you that you are at last really set free; Jesus is the truth, and only through him can you really be free (John 8:32).

 

Application

In the first reading the Word was made flesh and he dwelt in their midst (John 1:14).  The second reading shows the core of the Holy Trinity as we come to the Father through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. We see in the Gospel that behind all truth is the presence of God.

This week, let us celebrate the Blessed Trinity by being open to the power that the Holy Spirit has given us. We have seen that the real power is the power of truth. This week, speak to your family only in the Spirit of truth. Truth means being humble, gentle and obedient to God’s Holy Word.  Your words of truth, matched by your actions of service, will show those around you that the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit are alive within you and the name of Jesus will set you, as well as others, free.

Lectio Divina – Pentecost Sunday (June 5th) – 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

John 20:19-23 – 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.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Pentecost Sunday (June 5th) – 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 ACTS 2:1-11 FIRST READING

(“All were filled with the Holy Spirit”)

1. What day had come and where were the disciples gathered? Acts 2:1

 

2. What day was Pentecost celebrated after the Passover, what are other names for it? Leviticus 23:15-16, Deuteronomy 9:10, Exodus 23:16 and Numbers 28:26.

 

3. What suddenly happened from up in the sky, and where was it heard? Acts 2:2

 

4. Read the following scripture, and tell what the Spirit gives to a person? Ezekiel 37:9, 14

 

5. What appeared, and what did it do? Acts 2:3

 

6. What was Jesus’ promise just before he ascended to heaven? Acts 1:5, 8

 

7. With what were all filled, and how did they express themselves? Acts 2:4

 

8. What did the Spirit prompt them to do?  Acts 2:4, Acts 4:31

 

9. Who was staying in Jerusalem at the time, and what did they hear?  Acts 2:5-6

 

10. About what were they confused?  Acts 2:6

 

11. What was their reaction?  What did they ask, and about what were they so amazed?  Acts 2:7-11

 

Personal – How can your family or friends identify the Spirit of God’s presence in you?  What comes forth from your mouth, and what do you need to do so people will be astonished by your words?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:3-7, 12-13 SECOND READING

(“No one can say “Jesus is Lord,” except in the Holy Spirit.”)

1. What is Paul telling the brothers that you cannot do in the Spirit of God, and what can be said only in the Holy Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12:3

 

2. What is there different, but with the same Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12:4

 

3. There are different ministries and works but the same God who accomplishes what? 1 Corinthians 12:5-6

 

4. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for what reason?  1 Corinthians 12:7

 

5. In what gifts should you try to be rich? 1 Corinthians 14:12.

 

6. Fill in the following blanks:The body is____ and has ______members, but all the members________ though they are, are___________ body; and so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

 

7. In the one Spirit, who were baptized into the one body? 1 Corinthians 12:13

 

8. What have all of us been given to drink? 1 Corinthians 12:13

 

9. Into whom have we been baptized?  Galatians 3:27

 

10. When were you chosen and sealed with the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 1:13

 

Personal – From the above scriptures, how can you identify the manifestation of the Spirit in your life, and in those you come in contact with?   Reread 1 Corinthians 12:3, and take note of what comes forth from your mouth this week.

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 20:19-23 GOSPEL

(“Receive the Holy Spirit.”)

1. Why did the disciples lock the doors of the place where they were? John 20:19

 

2. Who came and stood before them, and what did he say to them? John 20:19

 

3. When he had said this, what did he show them?  John 20:20

 

4. What did the disciples do at the sight of the Lord? John 20:20

 

Personal – In what way has our Lord appeared to you when you have been gathered with others praying, and what has been your response?

 

5. What did Jesus say again and what is his gift to you? John 20:21, John 14:27

 

6. Whom has the Father sent, and who sends you? John 20:21

 

7. What did Jesus do to the disciples, and what did they receive? John 20:22

 

8. How did the Lord God form man, and how did he give him life? Genesis 2:7

 

9. If you forgive men’s sin, what happens to them, and if you hold them bound, what happens? John 20:23

 

10. What did Jesus say on the cross to the Father, and whom should we imitate? Luke 23:34, 1 John 2:1, 6

 

Personal – How do others see, spiritually and physically, the breath of his life in you?  How do others see you living out your sign of baptism through repentance, which means change?  How do others see you as you practice forgiveness of others, and ask others to forgive you?  How often do you feel the need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and why?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34

(“When you send forth your spirit, they are created.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34.

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 2:1-11

In today’s readings we celebrate the Feast of “Pentecost,” which means fifty (50). This was a feast that was celebrated about fifty days after Passover and was a feast of thanksgiving for the harvest. The first fruits of the crop were offered to God that day.  All Jewish men were expected to come to the temple for the feast.  The city was usually filled to overflowing, and it was fitting that this day was chosen as the day the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles.

Today is, in reality, the birthday of the church, and the Christian religion was to be a church for the whole world.The old law was given by God to Moses for the Jews only.The new law, given by Christ and confirmed by the power of the Holy Spirit, was for all peoples.That means you, and that means today, right where you are.The very fact that you are reading this Bible Study is proof that the power of the Holy Spirit is drawing you near to him.

Let today be the day that you fall upon your knees and invite Jesus Christ to come into your heart and become the Lord of your life.  Take a few moments and confess to the Lord all that is twisted with you, and then ask him to let his Holy Spirit fill you with the power and peace that surpasses all understanding.  The celebration of Pentecost is for you as well as it was for the Jews in today’s passage.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit flow through you, and you will enjoy that same gift that the Apostles had, the gift of speaking in tongues.

The signs and wonders of that incredible day brought huge crowds of Jews in huge crowds to the place where the Apostles were staying.  This was the day chosen for the Apostles to go forward and make disciples of all nations.  We are called also to go forward and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).  Let us remember, the Jews celebrated the feast of the harvest on Pentecost.  Jesus’ Holy Spirit breathed life on the universal church on the Feast of Pentecost, or the Feast of Harvest.

We are called today to harvest the crop of souls for the Lord.  The Lord needs some good laborers to work in the vineyard.  Are you ready to join the workers?

 

1 CORINTHIANS 12:3-7, 12-13

In this passage, we see that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were given for the good of the whole community to help build up the body of Christ.  We should not refuse to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit nor claim them as our own.  Paul clearly warns against listening to false teachers and shows us how to check out their credentials. We are to find out what they teach about Christ.

We see people today who mock Jesus Christ, not only with their words, but in the way they live.  We see people using their gifts to split communities apart, and then trying to tell us that they are only doing God’s will.  Anyone can claim to speak for God, and we need only to look at some of the leaders in some countries, and we see a lot of false messiahs running around.  God has given us many different gifts, but we must remember they all come from the same Spirit, and they are to be used to help the community or church.  They will know we are Christians by the way we love and help one another.

Paul compares the body of Christ to a human body.Every part is an individual, and has a specific job to do.In their differences, all of the parts must work together for the good of the whole body.Jesus Christ is the head, and the rest of us make up the body of Christ.It is very important that we are not too proud of our abilities, and we must not compare ourselves with one another.We are called to use our different gifts together, to spread the “Good News” to a world that is filled with “bad news.”The church, which is the people who believe that “Jesus is Lord,” must be united in its belief in Christ. It must not let its leaders or members use any gifts to cause divisions or strife.

Faith in Christ is the core of Christian unity.We are one body, with one spirit that is united in Christ with the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.When we were baptized into the Christian Faith, the Holy Spirit took up residence in us and we became the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16).You, by your baptism, have been born into God’s family, and our common goal is faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

JOHN 20:19-23

Today’s Gospel passage reveals to us the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit being given publicly to the disciples of Jesus by Jesus himself.  This is a tremendous feast day in the church.  We look back, and we see that Advent was a time to prepare for the Incarnation of God (God becoming man).  Christmas was the happening of this great Incarnation act.  We then moved into Lent and began to prepare ourselves for the sufferings endured by Christ on our behalf during his holy week.  We celebrated victory in Jesus’ triumph over death which guaranteed our union with him in heaven.

Today, we celebrate in Pentecost the Holy Spirit coming to abide within his church.This means abiding in you, in me, and all believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.The Holy Spirit gives the power to preserve, teach, explain, and spread the gospel of “Good News,” which is a message of hope and love for everyone in the world.

The Holy Spirit that came upon the disciples and all of the people in the upper room is the same Spirit that wants to abide in us.  We can let him come into our heart, right now, by getting down on our knees and confessing our sins to the Lord. Invite him to come and take up residence in your heart, his temple, and let him take control of your life.  His power will flow through you, and your life will never be the same again.  His peace will be your peace, it will be a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

The power from the Holy Spirit helps all of us live a life of holiness and wholeness.  We need to always remember that God’s plan for each one of us is to live a life that is abundant and full (John 10:10).  The Holy Spirit gives us the power in the name of Jesus to bind Satan and his cohorts, and in his Name, to loosen the Spirit of Life which is the Lord Jesus himself… to heal, to restore and, to forgive.  We can release others from the bondage of sin by our compassion and forgiveness.

We are more than conquerors; we are children of the Living God, we are called to set the captives free and give sight to the blind.We do that by forgiving them, and loving them through the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.Pentecost – the harvest is now, the Kingdom of God is at hand, come and be fishers of men.I pray that the Holy Spirit today will fill you with his love and power, and fill all of us with gratitude for all that God has done for us.

 

Application

The first reading tells us that we celebrate the birthday of the church when we celebrate “Pentecost.”  The second reading reveals that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be used to uplift the community.  The Gospel reveals to us that the Holy Spirit gives us power in the name of Jesus.  This power is a healing power.

Let us take a long look at our gifts, and then share them with others this week.  You might visit someone who is sick, or visit someone in jail.  You might write a letter to someone who is lonely, or cook someone a special meal.  Do something beautiful for God this week, and keep on giving your gift away.  God will never let you be without a gift – try it, you’ll like it.

Domingo de Pentecostés (5 de Junio) – 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 HECHOS 2:1-11 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Todos fueron llenos del Espíritu Santo.”)

1. ¿Qué día era y en dónde estaban reunidos los díscipulos? Hechos 2:1

 

2. ¿Qué día se celebraba Pentecostés después de la Pascua y qué otros nombres recibe? Levítico 23:15-16, Deuteronomio 9-10, Exodo 23:16 y Números 28:26

 

3. ¿Qué vino del cielo de repente y dónde fue escuchado?  Hechos 2:2

 

4. Leé la siguiente escritura y escribe que es lo que el Espíritu da a las personas.  Ezequiel 37:9, 14

 

5. ¿Qué apareció y dónde se posaron?  Hechos 2:3

 

6. ¿Cuál fue la promesa de Jesús antes de ascender al cielo?  Hechos 1:5, 8

 

7. ¿Con qué fueron todos llenos y cómo se expresaron?  Hechos 2:4

 

8. ¿Qué les incitó el Espíritu que hicieran?  Hechos 2:4 y 4:31

 

9. ¿Quiénes estaban en Jerusalén en esos momentos y qué oyeron?  Hechos 2:5-6

 

10. ¿Por qué estaban confusos?  Hechos 2:6

 

11. ¿Cuál fue su reacción? ¿Qué preguntaron y por qué estaban tan sorprendidos?  Hechos 2:7-11

 

Personal – ¿Cómo podrían tu familia o tus amigos identificar la presencia del Espíritu de Dios en tí? ¿Qué es lo que sale de tu boca y qué necesitas hacer para que la gente se asombre por tus palabras?

 

 

TERCER DIA 1 CORINTIOS 12:3-7, 12-13 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Nadie puede decir “Jesús es el Señor, excepto con el Espíritu Santo.”)

1. ¿Qué les dice Pablo a los hermanos que no podemos hacer en el Espíritu de Dios y que únicamente puede decirse con el Espíritu Santo?  1 Corintios 12:3

 

2. ¿Qué hay de diferencia, pero con el mismo Espíritu?  1 Corintios 12:4

 

3. Hay diferentes ministerios y trabajos pero el mismo Dios. ¿Qué es lo que El realiza? 1 Cor. 12:5-6

 

4. ¿Por qué razón se dá a cada persona la manifestación del Espíritu?  1 Corintios 12:7

 

5. ¿Qué dones debes tratar de alcanzar?  1 Corintios 14:12

 

6. Llena los siguientes espacios:   El cuerpo es y tiene ________________________ miembros, pero todos los miembros, aún siendo _____________________forman ________________________ cuerpo; y así es con Cristo.  1 Cor 12:12

 

7. En un solo Espíritu, ¿quiénes han sido bautizados para formar un solo cuerpo?  1 Corintios 12:13

 

8. ¿Qué es lo que se nos ha dado a beber a todos?  1 Corintios 12:13

 

9. ¿En quién hemos sido bautizados?  Gálatas 3:27

 

10. ¿Cuándo fuiste escogido y sellado con el Espíritu Santo?  Efesios 1:13

 

Personal – ¿Con las Escrituras citadas anteriormente, ¿cómo puedes identificar la manifestación del Espíritu en tu vida y en la de las personas con las que estás en contacto? Vuelve a leer 1 Corintios 12:3 y toma nota de lo que salga de tu boca esta semana.

 

 

CUARTO DIA JUAN 20:19-23 EVANGELIO

(“Reciban al Espíritu Santo.”)

1. ¿Por qué cerraron los discípulos las puertas del lugar donde se encontraban?  Juan 20:19

 

2. ¿Quién se presentó enfrente de ellos y qué les dijo?  Juan 20:19

 

3. ¿Qué les mostró al decir esto?  Juan 20:20

 

4. ¿Qué hicieron los discípulos cuando vieron al Señor?  Juan 20:20

 

Personal – ¿De qué modo se te ha aparecido el Señor cuando has estado orando en compañía de otros y cuál ha sido tu respuesta?

 

5. ¿Qué dijo Jesús una vez más? ¿Cuál es el obsequio que te dió a tí?  Juan 20:21 y Juan 14:27

 

6. ¿A quién envió El Padre, y quién te envía a tí?  Juan 20:21

 

7. ¿Qué hizo Jesús a los discípulos y qué fue lo que ellos recibieron?  Juan 20:22

 

8. ¿Cómo formó el Señor Dios al hombre y cómo le dió vida?  Génesis 2:7

 

9. ¿Si tú perdonas los pecados de los hombres, qué pasa con ellos y si los retienes, qué pasa? Juan 20:23

 

10. ¿Qué dijo Jesús al Padre estando en la cruz, a quién debemos de imitar?   Lucas 23:34, 1 Juan 2:1, 6

 

Personal – ¿Cómo ven los otros en tí espiritual y físicamente el hálito de Su Vida? ¿Cómo te ven otros viviendo tu signo del bautizmo a traves del arrepentimiento o sea del cambio? ¿Cómo te ven los demás practicar el perdón a otros y pedir perdón a los que hayas ofendido? ¿Qué tan seguido sientes la necesidad del Sacramento de la Confesión (Reconciliacion) y por qué?

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE EL SALMO 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34

(“Cuando envías Tu espíritu, ellos son creados.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34.

¿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 2:1-11

En la lectura de hoy celebramos la fiesta de “Pentecostés.” Pentecostés significa Cincuenta (50). Era una fiesta que se celebraba más o menos a los cincuenta días después de la Pascua. Era una fiesta de acción de gracias por la cosecha. Los primeros frutos de la cosecha eran ofrecidos a Dios en ese día. Se esperaba que todos los hombres Judíos vinieran al templo para la fiesta. La ciudad estaba llena hasta el desbordamiento y era conveniente que ese día fuera el escogido como el día en que el Espíritu Santo descendiera sobre los Apóstoles.

Este día en realidad es el cumpleaños de la iglesia y la religión Cristiana iba a ser una iglesia para todo el mundo. La antigua ley fue dada por Dios a Moisés solo para los Judíos. La nueva ley dada por Cristo y confirmada por el poder del Espíritu Santo era para todos los hombres. Esto quiere decir para tí, quiere decir hoy y ahí donde tú estás. El solo hecho de estar leyendo este estudio de Biblia es la prueba de que el poder del Espíritu Santo te está atrayendo hacía El.

Permite que este día sea el día que caigas sobre tus rodillas e invites a Jesucristo a venir a tu corazón y a ser El Señor en tu vida. Toma unos momentos y confiésale al Señor todo lo que está torcido en tu vida y luego pídele que permita a su Espíritu Santo que te llene con el poder y la paz que rebasan todo el entendimiento. La celebración de Pentecostés es para tí, así como fue para los Judíos en el pasaje de hoy. Permite al poder del Espíritu Santo inundarte y así disfrutarás el mismo don que tuvieron los Apóstoles, el don de hablar en lenguas.

Las señales y maravillas de ese día increíble del pasaje de hoy, trajo a multitud de Judíos al lugar donde se hallaban los Apóstoles. Este fue el día escogido por los Apóstoles para ir adelante y hacer discípulos en todas las naciones (Mateo 28:19). Recordemos que antes que los Judíos celebraran la Fiesta de la Pascua (Moisés guió a su gente hacía la libertad), ellos celebraban la fiesta de la plantación de la cosecha en el tiempo de primavera y cincuenta días después celebraban la fiesta de la cosecha. Su Espíritu Santo dió el hálito de vida sobre la iglesia universal y dió nacimiento a Cristo en la fiesta de Pentecostés o Fiesta de la Cosecha.

Hoy estamos llamados a recoger la cosecha de almas para el Señor El necesita buenos peones para trabajar en la viña. ¿Estás listo para unirte a los peones?

 

1 CORINTIOS 12:3-7, 12-13

En este pasaje vemos que los dones del Espíritu Santo fueron dados por el bien de toda la comunidad para ayudar a formar el cuerpo de Cristo. No debemos rehusar el hacer uso de los dones del Espíritu Santo ni pretender que son nuestros. San Pablo claramente nos previene en contra de escuchar a falsos maestros y nos enseña como hacer para verificar sus credenciales. Debemos descubrir que es lo que enseñan acerca de Cristo.

Hoy en día vemos gente que se burla de Jesucristo no solo con sus palabras sino con su modo de vivir. Vemos también gente usando sus dones para dividir y separar las comunidades y tratando de decir que solamente están haciendo la voluntad de Dios. Cualquiera puede alegar que habla por Dios, tan solo con que veamos algunos líderes de algunos paises y encontraremos muchos falsos Mesiás por ahí. Dios nos ha dado muchos distintos dones, pero debemos recordar que todos ellos vienen del mismo espíritu y son para ser usados en beneficio de la comunidad o la iglesia. Sabrán que somos cristianos por el modo que amamos y nos ayudamos unos a otros.

San Pablo compara el cuerpo de Cristo al cuerpo humano. Cada parte es un individuo y tiene un trabajo específico que realizar. Con sus diferencias todas las partes deben trabajar juntas por el bien de todo el cuerpo. Jesucristo es la cabeza y el resto de nosotros formamos el cuerpo de Cristo. Es muy importante que no estemos demasiado orgullosos de nuestras habilidades y no nos comparemos uno con el otro. Estamos llamados a usar nuestros distintos dones juntos, para divulgar la “Buena Nueva” al mundo que está lleno de “Malas noticias.” La iglesia, que es la gente que creé que Jesús es el Señor debe estar unida en la creencia en Cristo. No debe permitir a sus líderes o miembros usar ningunos dones que puedan causar division o rivalidad.

La fe en Cristo es el corazón de la unidad Cristiana. Somos un solo cuerpo con un solo espíritu que está unido en Cristo con el Padre a traves del poder del Espíritu Santo. Cuando fuimos bautizado en la Fe Cristiana, el Espíritu Santo entró a residir en nosotros y nos hemos convertido en el templo del Espíritu Santo (1 Corintios 3:16). Por tu bautismo has nacido dentro de la familia de Dios y nuestra meta comun es la fe en Nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo.

 

JUAN 20:19-23

El pasaje del Evangelio de hoy nos revela el increíble don del Espíritu Santo que Jesús mismo dió a sus discípulos públicamente. Esta es una gran fiesta de la iglesia. Viendo en retrospectiva vemos que el Adviento era un tiempo de preparación para la Encarnación de Dios (Dios haciendose hombre). Navidad fue el acontecimiento de este gran acto de Encarnación. Pasamos luego a la Cuaresma y empezamos a prepararnos para los sufrimientos que Cristo pasó durante Su semana santa por nosotros. Celebramos la victoria, en el triunfo de Jesús sobre la muerte. Un triunfo que garantiza nuestra unión con El en el cielo.

Hoy celebramos en Pentecostés la decisión del Espíritu Santo de venir y habitar dentro de Su iglesia. O sea habitar en tí, en mí y en todos los que creen en el Señor Jesucristo. El Espíritu Santo da el poder de sostener, enseñar, explicar y esparcir el evangelio de la “Buena Nueva” que es un mensaje de esperanza y amor para todos en el mundo.

El mismo Espíritu Santo que descendió sobre los discípulos y toda la gente en el cuarto de arriba es el espíritu que quiere habitar en tí. Tú puedes dejarle entrar en tu corazón en este mismo momento poniéndote de rodillas y confesando tus pecados al Señor. Invítalo a venir y a residir en tu corazón, su templo y deja que el tome el control de tu vida. Su poder fluirá a traves de tí y tu vida ya nunca volverá a ser la misma. Su paz será tu paz y será una paz que sobrepasa todo el entendimiento (Filipenses 4:7).

El poder del Espíritu Santo nos ayuda a vivir una vida de santidad e integridad. Necesitamos recordar siempre que el plan de Dios para cada uno de nosotros es vivir una vida abundante y completa. (Juan 10:10b). El Espíritu Santo nos dá el poder en el nombre de Jesús para atar a Satanás y sus cohortes y en Su Nombre desatar al Espíritu de Vida el cual es el mismo Señor Jesús que sana, restaura y perdona. Podemos liberar a otros del cautiverio del pecado con nuestra compasión y perdón.

Nosotros somos más que conquistadores. Somos hijos del Dios Viviente. Estamos llamados a liberar a los cautivos y dar la vista a los ciegos. Lo hacemos cuando los perdonamos y amamos a traves del poder del Espíritu Santo y del poderoso nombre de Jesucristo nuestro Señor y Salvador. Pentecostés – la cosecha es ahora, el Reino de Dios está a la mano, vengan y sean pescadores de hombres. Rezo para que hoy el Espíritu Santo te llene con Su amor y su poder y nos llene a todos de gratitud por todo lo que Dios ha hecho por nosotros.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos dice que el domingo de “Pentecostés” se celebra como el cumpleaños de la Iglesia. La segunda lectura revela que los dones del Espíritu Santo son para el bien de la comunidad. El Evangelio nos revela que el Espíritu Santo nos dá el poder en el nombre de Jesús.  Este poder es un poder curativo.

Contemplemos largamente a nuestros dones y compartámoslos con otros esta semana. Quizá quieres visitar a alguien que está enfermo o a alguien que está en la cárcel. Tal vez escribir una carta para alguien que está solo y triste. O quizá cocinar para alguien una cena especial. Haz algo hermoso por Dios esta semana y mantente compartiendo tu don con otros. Dios nunca deja sin un don – pruébalo, te gustará.

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (May 29th) – 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 ACTS 1:1-11

(“He presented Himself alive to them….”)

1. What was dealt with before Jesus was taken up to heaven? Acts 1:1

 

2. How did Jesus instruct the Apostles He had chosen? Acts 1:2

 

3. After Jesus had suffered what did He show His Apostles and how did He show them? Acts 1:3

 

Personal – How have you been convinced that Jesus is alive today?

 

4. Why did Jesus tell His disciples not to leave Jerusalem? Acts 1:4

 

5. What did John baptize with and what would happen in a few days? Acts 1:5

 

6. What did the Apostles ask Jesus and what did He tell them? Acts 1:6-7

 

7. What did Jesus tell them they would receive when the Holy Spirit came down on them and what would that make them? Acts 1:8

 

8. As the Apostles were looking on what happened to Jesus and how did it happen? Acts 1:9

 

9. As they were looking up who appeared to them and what did they say? Acts 1:10-11

 

10. How will the Lord come down from heaven and what will happen to the living, the believers in Him? 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

 

Personal – How are you preparing for Jesus’ return?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ EPHESIANS 1:17-23 SECOND READING

(“What is the surpassing greatness of His power for us who believe?”)

1. What is Paul asking our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, to give you? Ephesians 1:17

 

2. What three things does he want your innermost vision, the eyes of your hearts, to know? Ephesians 1:18-19

 

3. What do your eyes represent, and if your eyes are good what will your body be? Matthew 6:22

 

4. What is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path? Psalm 119:105

 

5. What is it like, this immeasurable scope of His power in us who believe? Ephesians 1:19-20

 

6. Where is Christ seated? Ephesians 1:20-21

 

7. What has God put beneath Jesus’ feet and what has He made Him over the Church, His body? Ephesians 1:22

 

8. Who is the head of every man; who is the head of the woman and who is head of Christ? 1 Corinthians 11:3

 

9. There is one what? Ephesians 4:4

 

10. How is the body of Christ built up? Ephesians 4:11-12

 

Personal – How have the eyes of your heart been enlightened to the surpassing greatness of His power in you?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ LUKE 24:46-53 GOSPEL

(“…behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you;)

1. What did Jesus say to His disciples? Luke 24:46

 

2. What would be preached in His name and where would it begin? Luke 24:47

 

3. What does Psalm 32:5 say will happen if you acknowledge and confess your sins?

 

4. What did Jesus tell His disciples they witnessed? Luke 24:48

 

5. What was Jesus sending His disciples and why were they to wait in the city? Luke 24:49

 

6. What did the Father promise and to whom was this promise made? Acts 2:38-39

 

7. What are we to clothe ourselves with? Colossians 3:12

 

8. Where did Jesus lead His disciples and what did He do? Luke 24:50

 

9. While Jesus was blessing His disciples what happened to Him? Luke 24:51

 

10. What did the disciples do? How did they return to Jerusalem and what did they continually stay at the temple doing? Luke 24:52-53

 

Personal – When did you receive the promise of the Father and what has He commissioned you to do? What things have you been a witness to and what have you been clothed with?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 47:2-3, 6-9

(“God mounts His throne amid shouts of joy;”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9.

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ACTS 1:1-11

This passage begins with Luke addressing the Roman official called Theophilus. Luke was implying that Jesus’ work continues in Acts through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts is called by many the fifth Gospel in that it tells about the lives and events of the new Church. Jesus showed the Apostles after His suffering and death His many wounds. He gave them many convincing proofs that He was alive. He told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the gift that His Father had promised them. He told them that they would then receive the Holy Spirit and they would receive power and become His witnesses to the ends of the earth. He then was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

Today, He is still alive in the Power that lives within His Church and within you as a member of the community of His disciples. You have become a Temple of that Power by your Baptism and Confirmation. The Power that split the Red Sea for Moses lives within you. The Power that impregnated Mary with Jesus lives within you. The Power that baptized Jesus in the Jordan River lives within you. The Power that raised Jesus from the dead lives within you. He is alive and He lives in you waiting to be given freely to the hurt, the lost, the sick, the lonely, the captive throughout the ends of the earth.

 

EPHESIANS 1:17-23

In this passage St. Paul is praying and giving thanks for the gifts that have been given to the believers. We today are reminded to thank God for the gifts of wisdom and knowledge that are available to us today. We grow in wisdom and knowledge through prayer, scripture, sacraments and Catholic Church teaching. This

follows an order of discipline and humility.
Our hope for the future is not an ambiguous feeling, on the contrary, it is a complete assurance of

victory through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ. We see many on all sides fearing nuclear disaster, computer meltdown and the collapse of morals. We must always remember we belong to the God of the Universe, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. God’s great power is available to help us today through the Holy Spirit in the community of faith. Scripture tells us that with God nothing is impossible (Philippians 4:13). Paul tells us in scripture that we do not have to fear anything or anyone because nothing can separate us from God and His love (Romans 8:31-39).

When we talk about the fullness of the Catholic Church, we are talking about Christ filling the Church with gifts and blessings. The Church itself is the full expression of Christ who Himself is the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). The image of the body shows the Church’s unity. We should not attempt to work, serve or worship on our own. There are no Lone Rangers in the Body of Christ. Each one of us is involved with all the others as we go about doing God’s work on earth.

 

LUKE 24:46-53

We celebrate on this special feast day of the Church the Ascension of the Lord. This is the time when Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

Over the centuries many believers overcome by the awareness of their own sins have found the words of today’s passage a strong ray of hope. Jesus opened up their minds to understand the scriptures. The Holy Spirit does this in our lives today when we study God’s Holy Word (written testimony) and Sacred Tradition (oral testimony), especially as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The message of good news for the whole world today is that Jesus died to ransom the soul of every living person. He thirsts for you. He is waiting for you to confess, to repent, and to receive His mercy and forgiveness. To confess our sin is to agree with God that He is right to declare that what we have done is sinful and we are wrong. To abandon that sin is to repent or change, which is to turn away from sin and turn back to God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we can trust in Him to forgive us and make us whole again. He told His disciples that they were already witnesses to His mercy and forgiveness. He promises to send them what His Father has promised, and that was the gift of the Holy Spirit. His promise was revealed to the disciples in the upper room (Acts 1:8) and that Holy Spirit is the same Spirit that resides in your Temple. Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and you are to witness to the ends of the earth with the same power as the disciples.

Jesus physical presence left the disciples when He lifted up His hands, blessed them and was taken up into Heaven (Acts 1:9). You receive this blessing each time you attend Mass. They fell down to do him reverence, then returned to Jerusalem filled with joy. There they were to be found in the temple constantly speaking the praises of God.

 

Application

The first reading tells us as the Apostles were looking on, Jesus was lifted up and says, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”. In the second reading God seated Jesus at His right hand in the heavens and gave Him as head over all things to the Church, and in the Gospel, we are told that the Message of Good News is that Jesus died to ransom the souls of the whole world.

This week let us go to someone in our family, our community or our parish, to pray with them and to proclaim the Good News to them that Jesus is alive. Repent of any wrongdoing by stopping the sinful action and turning back to God. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist frequently and this will give you the grace needed in order for you to live your life for Christ.

Solemnidad de la Ascensión del Señor (29 de Mayo) – 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 HECHOS 1:1-11 PRIMERA LECTURA

1. ¿De qué se trató antes de que Jesús fuera Ilevado al cielo? Hechos 1:1

 

2. ¿Cómo instruyó Jesús a los Apóstoles que había escogido? Hechos 1:2

 

3. ¿Después de que Jesús sufrió, que les mostró a Sus Apóstoles y cómo se los mostró? Hechos 1:3

 

Personal – ¿Cómo te has convencido de que Jesús está vivo hoy en día?

 

4. ¿Por qué les dijo Jesús a sus discípulos que no se alejaran de Jerusalén? Hechos 1:3

 

5. ¿Con qué bautizó Juan y que pasaría en unos cuantos días? Hechos 1:5

 

6. ¿Qué le preguntaron los Apóstoles a Jesús y que les dijo El? Hechos 1:6-7

 

7. ¿Qué les dijo Jesús que recibirían cuando el Espíritu Santo descendiera sobre éllos y qué los haría ésto? Hechos 1:8

 

8. ¿Al estar los Apóstoles mirando, qué le pasó a Jesús y cómo pasó ésto? Hechos 1:9

 

9. ¿Cuándo estaban mirando quién se les apareció y qué dijeron? Hechos 1:10-11

 

10. ¿Cómo bajará el Señor y que les pasará a los que estén vivos, los que creén en El? 1 Tesal. 4:16-17

 

Personal – ¿Cómo te estás preparando para el regreso de Jesús?

 

 

TERCER DIA EFESIOS 1:17-23 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(¿“Qué es ésta extraordinaria fuerza que actúa a favor de los que hemos creido?”)

1. ¿Qué le está pidiendo Pablo a Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, el Padre de la Gloria que te dé? Efesios 1:17

 

2. ¿Cuáles son las tres cosas que quiere que sepa tu mirada interior, los ojos de tu corazón? Efesios 1:18-19

 

3. ¿Qué representan tus ojos, y si tus ojos son buenos que será tu cuerpo? Mateo 6:22

 

4. ¿Cuál es la antorcha para nuestros pies y la luz de nuestro camino? Salmo 119:105

 

5. ¿Cómo es está extraordinaria fuerza para los que hemos creído? Efesios 1:19-20

 

6. ¿Dónde está sentado Cristo? Efesios 1:20-21

 

7. ¿Qué ha puesto Dios bajo los pies de Jesús y qué lo ha hecho más arriba de la Iglesia, Su cuerpo? Efesios 1:22

 

8. ¿Quién es la cabeza de todo hombre; quién es la cabeza de la mujer y quién es la cabeza de Cristo? 1 Corintios 11:3

 

9. ¿De qué hay solo uno?  Efesios 4:4

 

10. ¿Cómo se construye el cuerpo de Cristo? Efesios 4:11-12

 

Personal – ¿Cómo se han iluminado los ojos de tu corazón con la grandeza extraordinaria de Su poder en tí?

 

 

CUARTO DIA LEE LUCAS 24:46-53 EVANGELIO

(“Ahora yo voy a enviar sobre ustedes al que mi Padre prometió”)

1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús a Sus discípulos? Lucas 24:46

 

2. ¿Qué sería predicado en Su nombre y dónde se comenzaría? Lucas 24:47

 

3. ¿Qué dice el Salmo 32:5 que pasará si tú reconoces y confiesas tus pecados?

 

4. ¿De qué les dice Jesús a Sus discípulos que éllos han sido testigos? Lucas 24:48

 

5. ¿A quién iba Jesús a enviar y por qué debían quedarse en la ciudad? Lucas 24:49

 

6. ¿Qué prometió el Padre y a quién se le hizo esa Promesa? Hechos 2:38-39

 

7. ¿Con qué debemos vestirnos? Colosenses 3:12

 

8. ¿A dónde condujo Jesús a Sus discípulos y qué hizo? Lucas 24:50

 

9. ¿Qué le pasó a Jesús mientras los bendecía? Lucas 24:51

 

10. ¿Qué hicieron los discípulos? ¿Cómo regresaron a Jerusalén y qué hicieron constantemente al permanecer en el templo? Lucas 24:52-53

 

Personal – ¿Cuándo recibiste la promesa del Padre y qué comisión te ha dado? ¿De qué has sido tú, testigo? ¿Y con qué te has revestido?

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE  EL SALMO 47:2-3, 6-9

(“Dios se sienta en Su santo trono, entre voces alegres”)

Leé y medita en el Salmo 47:2-3, 6-9.

¿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 1:1-11

Este pasaje empieza con Lucas hablándole al oficial Romano Ilamado Teófilo. Lucas se estaba refiriendo a que el trabajo de Jesús continúa en los Hechos de los Apóstoles por del poder del Espíritu Santo.

Los Hechos son Ilamados por muchos, el quinto Evangelio ya que habla acerca de las vidas y los eventos de la nueva Iglesia. Jesús mostró a los Apóstoles después de Su sufrimiento y muerte, Sus muchas heridas. Les dió muchas pruebas convincentes de que estaba vivo. Les dijo que entonces recibirían al Espíritu Santo y recibirían poder y vendrían a ser Sus testigos por toda la tierra. Luego fue ascendido delante de sus propios ojos y una nube lo cubrió de su vista.

Hoy, El todavía está vivo en el Poder que vive dentro de Su Iglesia y dentro de tí como miembro de la comunidad de Sus discípulos. Tú has venido a ser un Templo de ese Poder debido a tu Bautizmo y Confirmación. El Poder que partió el Mar Rojo para Moisés vive dentro de tí. El Poder que bautizó a Jesús en el Río Jordán vive dentro de tí. El esta vivo y vive en tí, esperando ser dado gratuitamente al que sufre, al que está perdido, al enfermo, al que está solo, al cautivo por todos los contines de la tierra.

 

EFESIOS 1:17-23

En este pasaje San Pablo ora y dá gracias por los dones que han sido dados a los creyentes. Hoy se nos recuerda a nosotros dar gracias a Dios por los dones de sabiduría y conocimiento que están a nuestra disposición. Crecemos en sabiduría y conocimiento a traves de la oración, las escrituras, los sacramentos y las enseñanzas de la Iglesia Católica. A ésto le sigue un órden de disciplina y humildad.

Nuestra esperanza para el futúro no es un sentimiento ambiguo, por lo contrario, es una completa seguridad de la victoria a traves del poder del Espíritu Santo y en el nombre de Jesuscristo. Vemos a muchos por todos lados temiendo un desastre nuclear, una desintegración de las computadoras y un colapso de la moral. Debemos recordar siempre que pertenecemos al Dios del Universo, quien resucitó a Jesucristo de entre los muertos. El gran poder de Dios está a nuestra disposición para ayudarnos hoy a traves del Espiritu Santo en la comunidad de fe. Las Escrituras nos dicen que con Dios nada es imposible (Filipenses 4:13). Pablo nos dice en la escritura, que no tenemos que temerle a nada ni a nadie pues nada puede separarnos de Dios y de Su amor (Romanos 8:31-39).

Cuando hablamos de la plenitud de la Iglesia Católica, estamos hablando sobre Cristo colmando a la Iglesia con dones y bendiciones. La Iglesia es en sí misma la expresión total de Cristo quien es El Mismo, la plenitud de Dios (Efesios 3:19). La imágen del cuerpo representa la unidad de la Iglesia. No debemos pretender trabajar, servir o dar adoración por nuestra propia cuenta. En el Cuerpo de Cristo no hay “Llaneros Solitarios.” Cada uno de nosotros está involucrado con todos los demas al ir trabajando por Dios en la tierra.

 

LUCAS 24:46-53

Celebramos en éste día especial de la Iglesia, la Ascensión del Señor. Esto sucedió cuando Jesús fué llevado al cielo y sentado a la derecha de Dios.

A través de los siglos muchos creyentes, vencidos, por estar conscientes de sus propios pecados han encontrado en las palabras del pasaje de hoy un fuerte rayo de esperanza. Jesús abrió sus mentes para entender las escrituras. El Espíritu Santo hace lo mismo en nuestras vidas cuando estudiamos la Santa Palabra de Dios (testimonio escrito) y la Sagrada tradición (testimonio oral), especialmente como se presenta en el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica.

El mensaje de las buenas nuevas para el mundo entero hoy en día es que Jesús murió para rescatar el alma de cada persona viva. El tiene sed de tí. Está esperando que te confieses, te arrepientas y recibas Su misericordia y perdón. El confesar nuestro pecado es estar de acuerdo con Dios en que El tiene la razón de declarar que lo que hemos hecho es pecaminoso y estuvimos equivocados. El abandonar ese pecado es arrepentirse o cambiar, es darle la espalda al pecado y regresar a Dios a traves del poder del Espiritu Santo. Entonces podemos confiar en que El nos perdonará y nos hará puros otra vez.

El les dijo a Sus discípulos que ya eran testigos de Su misericordia y perdón. Les promete mandarles lo que Su Padre ha prometido, y era el regalo del Espíritu Santo. Su promesa fué revelada a los discípulos en el cuarto de arriba (Hechos 1:8) y ese mismo Espíritu Santo es el que reside en tu Templo. Tu cuerpo es el Templo del Espíritu Santo (1 Corintios 6:19) y tú estás para atestiguar hasta a los confines de la tierra con el mismo poder que tenían los discípulos.

La presencia física de Jesús se fué de los discípulos cuando levantó Sus manos, los bendijo y fue elevado al Cielo (Hechos 1:9). Tú recibes esa bendición cada vez que vas a Misa. Ellos se postraron con reverencia y regresaron a Jerusalén llenos de alegría. Ahí se les encontraba en el templo hablando constantemente las alabanzas de Dios.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos dice que los Apóstoles estaban mirando, Jesús fue levantado y dijo, “recibirán poder cuando el Espíritu Santo venga sobre ustedes”. En la segunda lectura Dios sentó a Jesús a su derecha en los cielos y lo dió a la Iglesia como cabeza sobre todas las cosas; y en el Evangelio se nos dice que el Mensaje de las Buenas Nuevas es que Jesús murió para rescatar las almas de todo el mundo.

Esta semana vamos a ver a alguien de nuestra familia, nuestra comunidad o nuestra parroquia hagamos oración con éllos y proclamémosles las Buenas Nuevas de que Jesús está vivo. Arrepiéntete de lo malo que hayas hecho deja la acción pecaminosa y regresa a Dios. Recibe el Sacramento de la Reconciliación y la Sagrada Eucaristía con frecuencia y ésto te dará la gracia necesaria para que vivas tu vida por Cristo.

Lectio Divina – Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (May 29th) – 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 24:46-53 – Jesus said to His disciples, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then He led them out as far as Bethany, raised His hands, and blessed them. As He blessed them He parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did Him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Lectio Divina – Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 22nd) – 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

John 14:23-29 – Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. I have told you this while I am with you, The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you. If you loved me you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 22nd) – 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 ACTS 15:1-2, 22-29 FIRST READING

(“It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,”)

1. What did some men from Judea begin to teach the brothers in Antioch? Acts 15:1

 

2. Where did circumcision originate among the Jews? Genesis 17:1-14

 

3. Among whom did this teaching cause dissension?  Acts 15:2

 

4. What did Paul, Barnabas, and some of the brothers decide to do about this dissension and where did they go? Acts 15:2-3

 

5. What caused the controversy between them? Acts 15:5, 11

 

6. What was resolved by the apostles and the presbyters, with whom were they in agreement with, and what were they to deliver? Acts 15:22-23

 

7. After they sent their greetings, what was it they said they had heard? Acts 15:24

 

8. What did they unanimously resolve to do? Acts 15:25

 

9. To whom had they dedicated their cause and, how were they to convey this message? Acts 15:26-27

 

10. Whose decision  was it not to lay on them any burden beyond that which is strictly necessary? Acts 15:28

 

11. What four things were they advised to avoid? Acts 15:29

 

Personal – In what way have church members, not under the authority of the church, put a burden on you?  How could you resolve this?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ REVELATIONS 21:10-14,22-23 SECOND READING

(“I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.”)

1. Who was carried away and how was he carried away? Revelation 1:1, Revelation 21:10

 

2. Where was he taken, what was he shown, and what did the city look like? Revelation 21:10-11

 

3. Who is the designer and maker of this city? Hebrews 11:10

 

4. Describe the following from Revelation 21:12:

Its walls

________________________________________________________________________

How many gates on the walls?

_______________________________________________________

Who were stationed at the gates?

_________________________________________________________

What was written on the gates?

______________________________________________________

Whose names were written there?

______________________________________________

5. Who were the twelve tribes of Israel and where were the gates located? Ezekiel 48:30-35, Revelation 21:13

 

6. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation. Whose names were on them? Revelation 21:14

 

7. Who were the twelve apostles of the Lamb and who is the Lamb? Matthew 10:2-4, John 1:29, Acts 1:20-26

 

8. What did John not see, and what did he see as a temple? Revelation 21:22

 

9. Of what did the city have no need of and what gave it light? Revelation 21:23

 

10. Who is our lamp and who is the light for our path? Revelation 21:23, Psalm 119:105, and John 1:1,14

 

Personal – Picture what heaven will look like from what you have just read and studied.  How do you think you will respond when you enter its gates?  In what way have you been enlightened here and now? How do your family, friends, work acquaintances, or people you come in contact with during the day see the light of Christ in you as his walking, living temple?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 14:23-29 GOSPEL

(“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”)

1. If you love Jesus, to what will you be true, who will love him, and who will come to him? John 14:23

 

2. Notice in verse 23, it says “we will come to him.”  To whom is this verse referring, when it says we? John 14:11, 17, 26

 

3. Where will the Spirit make his dwelling place? John 14:17,23

 

4. Who is it that does not love Jesus, and where does the Word you hear come from? John 14:24

 

5. While Jesus was with them, what did he tell them? John 14:26

 

Personal – As you began this study did you read or pray John 14:26.  Of what has he reminded you?

 

6. What is Jesus farewell to you and his gift to you, and what does he tell you not to be? John 14:27

 

7. What does Jesus say in verse 28 of John 14?

 

8. If you love Jesus, what would you do when he goes to the Father? John 14:28

 

9. Who is greater than Jesus? John 14:28, John 10:29

 

10. Why was he telling them before this took place? John 14:29

 

Personal – In what specific way have you obeyed the command to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12), in your family, with your friends, at work or school?  In what way have you shown your love for the Father?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

(“For you govern the peoples justly,”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 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

ACTS 15:1-2, 22-29

Christianity would have become nothing other than a sect of Jews if the condition that new Christians had to be circumcised first was upheld.  There were certain Jews who could never forget their positions as the chosen people. They were willing to accept Gentiles into the church provided they were circumcised first.  Paul and Barnabas argued strongly against this attitude and a violent collision seemed inevitable.

An appeal was made to Jerusalem, the headquarters of the church, for a ruling.  The principle at stake was quite simple.  Was the gift of God for the chosen few or for the entire world?  Was the gift of God a privilege or a responsibility?  Certain Pharisees who had become Christian insisted that all converts must be circumcised and keep the Mosaic law.

The Mosaic law of Moses stated that on the eighth day the flesh of a male child’s foreskin shall be circumcised (Leviticus 12:3). This was submitting of one’s flesh to the covenant that originated between God and Abraham (Gen. 17:14). Peter stood up to the apostles and elders and told them that the new covenant is fulfilled by believing the word of the Gospel.

God who knows the heart bore witness to them giving the Gentiles the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. This was a circumcision of faith, a cutting off of one’s pride and submitting to the will of the Lord. Peter told them that they were saved through the Grace of the Lord Jesus and so also were the Gentiles saved the same way.

The church leaders stated that the men who disturbed the brothers were not given instruction, or authority, to do what they did. The church leaders, inspired by the Holy Spirit, decided to send authorized representatives with Paul and Barnabas. They did not want to lay upon them a greater burden than the essentials which are: they shall abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from illicit sexual union.

Today we still can look to the essentials for guidance for our daily living.  We are not to sacrifice ourselves to idols such as jobs, power, sex, or money.  We are called to stop eating and drinking ourselves into gluttony and sickness.  We are called to be chaste in our actions as well as in our thoughts.  We must turn away from illicit sexual union such as homosexuality, fornication, pornography, adultery, pre-marital sex, etc.

The controversy about keeping the law is still with us today.  There still exists divisions between  believers and church authorities. The authoritative teachings of the church are meant to protect the people as well as to preserve the true deposit of faith.

 

REVELATION 21:10-14, 22-23

John draws much of his imagery from Isaiah Chapter 65:17-24. In this chapter a new heaven is created, things of the past are not remembered, and there is rejoicing and no sadness or pain. John is not concerned about interspace travel or geophysics. Heaven exists because of the moral relationship between God and man.

God has taken the initiative and is the cause of the new order or as we call it the “New Jerusalem” or Heaven.  God began by walking with man in the garden of paradise.  He sought to dwell near man in the ark and the temple.  He made man the holy of holies through his Incarnation.  But these former things all passed away when he begins to dwell with them in the immediate personal intimacy of the “New Jerusalem.”  John has, with much phraseology and repetition, attempted to convey the incomparable beauty of heaven through the use of earthly descriptions.

The radiance of Christ in his eternal home is so dazzling that the lights of the galaxy are not needed.  The holy of holies was a cube twenty cubits high, wide, and deep.  The cities of Babylon and Nineveh were square.  Can you imagine a city as high as it is wide and long.  One side would extend from Boston to Chicago  (1500 miles). A fence 216′ high would hardly seem proportional around this gigantic cube of the heavenly city.  We can see that earthly details pale when matched against the concept of spiritual symbolism. The author’s main intent is to convey that it is the Divine Presence, radiant and enlivening, that transforms the holy Jerusalem into purest splendor.  God began with Paradise.  John ends his portrayal of the celestial city with details borrowed from the paradise story.  We might all picture ourselves as believers.

 

JOHN 14:23-29

Before his passion and death, Jesus spoke words of comfort, love and obedience to his disciples. These words brought a sense of serenity and helped them to not be afraid. Jesus promised to provide for them by leaving with them “the Counselor,” “The Holy Spirit.” Jesus told them that the Father would send them the Holy Spirit in his name. He told them that the Holy Spirit would teach  them all things and help them to remember all that he taught them (John 14:26).  We have been made by faith, through Gods action in the sacrament of Baptism, temples of the Holy Spirit.

Today, living a life conforming to the prompting of the Holy Spirit is not easy. We have so many distractions in our every day living, that only the Holy Spirit could empower us to remember with clarity the obedience that’s needed to walk the Christian walk. We need only to look around us and we can see very easily that unless we control our selfish desires and concerns by submitting them to  the word of the Lord, they run wild, quickly overcoming any desire to know and experience God’s love.

We can’t split our desires evenly between God and the world; we must first seek the kingdom of God (Mt 6:33). We need to ask the Holy Spirit to teach us more about the healing, saving love of Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Pray that you will be open to receive the prompting of the Holy Spirit and to follow and experience the incredible love of Jesus.                 

 

Application

The first reading tells us that the gift of God was not for a chosen few, but for the entire world. The second reading reveals that Heaven exists because of the moral relationship between God and man. The Gospel shows us that the power to walk the Christian walk can only come from the Holy Spirit.

This week, show those around you at work, at home or in school that God’s gift to you has brought you freedom of choice. Choose to love your neighbors, family and friends as yourself. With the power of the Holy Spirit, you can also choose to love your enemies. We can only do this when we seek his kingship first and then everything else is added (Mt 6:33). Remember, the Holy Spirit will teach you in all things (John 14:26).