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Lectio Divina – 3rd Sunday of Easter (April 23rd)

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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 ON THE GOSPEL OF THE DAY – Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?”
They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”
So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

DOMINGO DE LA DIVINA MISERICORDIA (April 16th) ‑ 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 2:42-47                          PRIMeRA LECTURA

(“Los primeros Cristianos vivían una vida de oración y compartían todas las cosas en común.”)

  1. ¿Aquellos que habían sido bautizados eran devotos a cuáles cuatro aspectos de la vida Cristiana? Hechos 2:42
  2. _________________________ 3. _________________________
  3. _________________________ 4. _________________________
  4. ¿Por qué se apoderaba de ellos un temor reverente? Hechos 2:43
  5. ¿Qué significaba vivir en común? Hechos 2:44-45
  6. ¿Cómo se repartían los bienes y la propiedad? Hechos 2:45
  7. ¿En los primeros tiempos en dónde continuaron yendo los Judíos Cristianos diariamente a orar y a oír la Palabra de Dios? Hechos 2:46
  8. ¿Dónde partían el pan estos Cristianos y celebraban la Eucaristía? Hechos 2:46
  9. ¿Cuál era la condición de sus corazones al tomar sus alimentos en común? Hechos 2:46
  10. ¿Cuáles eran las dos cosas que sucedían cuando tomaban sus alimentos en común?  Hechos 2:47
  11. ¿Qué se agregaba cada día y quién lo hacía? Hechos 2:47

Personal – ¿Como he vivido la presencia de Dios en mi vida? ¿Pienso acerca de la salvación como algo muy individual y privado o mi punto de vista se puede comparar con este cuadro de los principios de la iglesia? ¿Cómo comparto mis bienes y cómo me siento acerca del estilo de vida descrito aquí?.

TERCER DIA                                           1 PEDRO 1:3-9                           SEGUNDA LECTURA

 (“La gente celebra el regalo de la gracia de Dios para los Gentiles.”)

  1. ¿Quién debe ser alabado y por qué? 1 Pedro 1:3
  2. ¿Qué trajo este nacimiento y de dónde sacó su vida? 1 Pedro 1:3
  3. ¿En qué está fija nuestra esperanza? 1 Timoteo 4:10
  4. ¿Al final cuáles tres cosas perdurarán? 1 Corintios 13:13
  5. ¿Qué es aquello incapaz de desaparecer o ser corrompida, dónde se guarda y cómo está protegida? 1Pedro 1:4-5
  6. ¿Cuáles son las tres cosas que esta nueva verdad nos da, y cuando nos será revelada? 1 Pedro 1:3-5
  7. ¿Qué nos causa esto, qué será preciso pasar y por qué? 1 Pedro 1:6-7
  8. ¿Por qué rebozas de alegría gloriosa? 1 Pedro 1:8
  9. ¿Cuál es la meta de nuestra fe? 1 Pedro 1:9

Personal – ¿De qué modo he sido puesto a prueba en mi fe? ¿Cómo creció mi fe como resultado de esta prueba?

CUARTO DIA                                           JUAN 20:19-31                                          EVANGELIO

(“Jesús se les aparece a los discípulos en el lugar donde se encontraban.”)

  1. ¿Por qué tenían los discípulos las puertas cerradas del lugar donde se reunían? Juan 20:19
  2. ¿Cuál fue el saludo de Jesús cuando se apareció ante los discípulos? Juan 20:19. Compara este con su saludo en Juan 14:27
  3. ¿Qué les mostró Jesús a sus discípulos y cuál fue la reacción de éstos? Juan 20:20
  4. Cuando los apóstoles vieron a Jesús ¿qué les dijo El por segunda vez; quién dijo que lo había enviado a El y los iba a enviar a ellos? Juan 20:21
  5. Jesús sopló sobre ellos y dijo: “Recibid el ________________ ________________.” Juan 20:22
  6. ¿Después de haber recibido al Espíritu Santo, ¿qué autoridad tienen los discípulos en lo que se refiere al pecado? Juan 20:23.  ¿Qué dijo Jesús acerca del perdón de los pecados?  Lucas 17:3-4

Personal – ¿Cómo penetra la vida de Cristo en mi vida diaria y en mis acciones? ¿Su saludo, “La Paz sea contigo”, me llena de alegría y paz, o de otras emociones? Así como Jesús ha mandado a sus discípulos al mundo, así también me manda a mí. Por medio de mi bautismo he recibido al Espíritu Santo. ¿Cómo vivo esta comisión en mi vida diaria?

  1. ¿Quién estuvo ausente cuando Jesús vino a visitar a los discípulos? Los discípulos le dijeron a él que habían visto al Señor. ¿Qué les respondió? Juan 20:24-25
  2. A la semana siguiente Jesús vino otra vez, ¿cuál fue su saludo a los discípulos? Juan 20:26
  3. ¿Qué hizo Jesús para que Tomás creyera, y cuál fue la respuesta de Tomás? (Escríbela.) Juan 20:27-28
  4. ¿Jesús bendijo a Tomás por que él _________________ y ____________. Y bendijo a aquellos que sin haber ___________ ___ ________han______ ____ _________. ¿Cómo ayuda esto a fortalecer mi fe? Juan 20:29
  5. ¿Cómo afectan estas señales a nuestra fe? Juan 20:30-31

Personal – Así como Tomás creyó por medio de ver y tocar, ¿cómo me invita a mi Jesús a tener fe en mi vida por medio de la vista y el tacto? ¿Cuándo he pasado del miedo o la tristeza, a la alegría “al ver al Señor”?

QUINTO DIA                                SALMO 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

(“Mi fuerza y mi valor están en el Señor y El ha sido mi Salvador.”)

Lee y medita el Salmo 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24.

¿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 2:42-47

Este pasaje nos revela un tremendo sentido de amor y compromiso de unos a otros. Los Apóstoles enseñaron acerca de la vida y los eventos de Jesucristo con un alto grado de entusiasmo y autoridad. Ser apóstol significaba haber sido testigo ocular del ministerio, pasión, muerte y resurrección del Señor.

La confraternidad entre los seguidores y los nuevos convertidos fue cálida, fuerte e increíblemente alegre. A los pobres y necesitados se les ayudó físicamente y con oraciones. Los hambrientos fueron alimentados, a los que no tenían hogar se les proporcionaba, los desnudos fueron vestidos, y a los que estaban tristes y solitarios les dieron amor y confianza. También fueron ayudados los que estaban en las cárceles o en las colonias de leprosos.

Hubo muchas señales de la presencia sanadora de Dios en la comunidad. Los lazos entre ellos fueron estrechados por medio del rendimiento de sus placeres personales para que la comunidad pudiera ser salvada.

La esencia de esta acción sanadora de la comunidad fue por la fe en Nuestra Señor Jesucristo, no por sus propias habilidades personales. Hoy en día necesitamos recordar que todo lo que tenemos que es bueno viene de nuestro Dios amoroso. La gente iba al templo y partían el pan juntos en sus hogares.

Hoy somos llamados a “celebrar”. Celebramos la increíble victoria que Jesús ganó por nosotros muriendo y resucitando. Compartimos “el Pan de Vida” o “Eucaristía” durante esta celebración y somos alimentados con la presencia de Jesucristo. De manera que estamos llamados a salir del templo y “Compartir la Eucaristía” con todos con quien tengamos contacto. Podemos hacer esto por que El está en donde quiera que estemos nosotros (1 Juan 4:4).

1 PEDRO 1:3-9

Hoy las palabras de San Pedro nos recuerdan una vez más lo que significa el evento único de “la Resurrección”, para nosotros y para la fe que profesamos. Los primeros conversos al Cristianismo comprendieron la verdad de compartir la vida eterna con el Padre como resultado de lo que Jesús había hecho por toda la humanidad. Estas gentes estaban con mucho dolor, con mucha tristeza y sin esperanza en su futuro. Se aferraron a esta verdad acerca del Señor con hambre y sed y se alegraron. Nosotros también nos aferramos a esa verdad. También sabemos que por medio de la Encarnación, muerte y resurrección de Cristo hemos sido hechos herederos del reino de nuestro Padre celestial.

Necesitamos reflexionar y preguntarnos a nosotros mismos porqué tanta gente no permite a esta consoladora convicción Cristiana gobernar y regular sus vidas y sus acciones. La tecnología de hoy es tan sofisticada que impide a muchos de ponerse a pensar en el real y eterno hacedor de las leyes. Dios es el creador de todo, El ha planeado y tiene el control de nuestro futuro.

Muchos de nosotros estamos tan ocupados usando y gozando los dones terrenales de Dios que nos olvidamos y en muchos casos ignoramos el mayor don de todos el que perdura por siempre la vida eterna. San Pedro nos dice que nuestra fe es mucho más preciosa que el oro y como el oro será purificada y probada bajo el fuego de la adversidad. Somos llamados “gente de la Pascua” porque El ha resucitado y vive con nosotros. Estamos vivos en Cristo, y nuestra vida eterna con El empieza desde hoy. Regocíjate y ponte contento. El está vivo y bien contigo, así que tú también puedes estar bien.

JUAN 20:19-31

Los discípulos se reunían a puerta cerrada por que tenían un miedo mortal de que los soldados vinieran y los arrestaran y posiblemente los mataran. El miedo por si mismos y por sus familias estaba profundamente metido en sus corazones cuando Jesús se les apareció. En su miedo, soledad, rechazo y fracaso, Jesús hace esta increíble declaración “la paz sea contigo”, les enseñó sus heridas, pero sobre todo les mostró que todavía estaba entre ellos. Fueron subyugados con una alegría tremenda. Hoy millones de personas se encuentran atrás de puertas cerradas. Muchos están en prisión, hospitales y muchos atrapados detrás de la puerta cerrada de una mente cerrada y rota. El mensaje de Jesús para nosotros es siempre el mismo, no importa donde estemos o por que estemos pasando.

Jesús se identifica a Si mismo con Su Padre y les dice a los discípulos bajo la autoridad de quién, El hizo su trabajo. Ahora El le pasa ese trabajo a sus discípulos, de esparcir la “Buena Nueva” en todo el mundo. Dios te ha escogido a ti para hacer eso hoy y tu autoridad viene de Dios. Jesús nos ha enseñado con sus palabras y sus acciones como efectuar esa “Gran Comisión”. Así como el Padre ha enviado a Jesús, ahora te envía a ti con la protección y el poder de Su Espíritu Santo. El te da ese poder por medio de su aliento sobre ti. Hay vida en el aliento de Dios y por medio del aliento de Jesús, Dios dirigió la vida eterna del espíritu. Con este aliento viene el poder para cumplir el mandato de Dios en la tierra. Jesús les dijo cual era su misión y esa misión es la misma para ti. Háblale a la gente de la “Buena Nueva”, de que Jesús ha perdonado los pecados. Nosotros no tenemos el poder de perdonar pero Jesús si lo tiene. La gente hoy no puede recibir el mensaje del perdón hasta que reciba al que perdona y su nombre es Jesús

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos habla de que la comunidad es el amor en acción. La segunda lectura nos muestra que la esperanza es eterna. El Evangelio nos dice que salgamos y esparzamos la “Buena Nueva.”

Esta semana vayamos adelante llevando las buenas nuevas con nuestras palabras y acciones trayendo el estudio de la Biblia a alguien que este confinado en su hogar, en un hospital o en la prisión. Tomemos una escritura esta semana como por ejemplo – el amor es amable – (1 Corintios 13:4) – practiquémoslo en nuestra familia, trabajo o escuela. El mensaje de Jesús al mundo es “La paz sea contigo” y El quiere que esto empiece primero que nada con nosotros mismos.

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 – 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.

Lectio Divina – 2nd Sunday of Lent (March 5th) – 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 ON THE GOSPEL OF THE DAY

Matthew 17:1-9 – Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

Lectio Divina – 1st Sunday of Lent (Feb. 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 ON THE GOSPEL OF THE DAY

Matthew 4:1-11 – At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?