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NAVIDAD (Dec. 25th) – CICLO A-B-C

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El Pan de Vida – Estudio de Biblia Catolico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

NAVIDAD – CICLO A-B-C

 

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.

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

 

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

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA                                    LEE ISAIAS 52:7-10               PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Tu Dios es Rey”)

  1. ¿De quién son los pasos bienvenidos y qué anuncia? Isaías 52:7, Romanos 10:15

 

  1. ¿Qué debemos gritar sin miedo? Isaías 40:9

 

  1. ¿Por qué gritan jubilosos los centinelas? Isaías 52:8

 

  1. ¿Cómo deben estar los centinelas? Isaías 62:6

 

  1. ¿Qué debemos hacer y por qué? Isaías 52:9

 

  1. ¿Por qué Dios nos consuela y nos anima? 2 Corintios 1:3-4

 

  1. ¿A quién redime el Señor? Salmo 34:23

 

  1. ¿Qué hace el Señor con su brazo santo y a la vista de quién? Isaías 52:10

 

  1. ¿Qué ven hasta los extremos del mundo? Isaías 52:10

 

  1. ¿Qué conocerán en toda la tierra y en todas las naciones? Salmo 67:3

 

Personal – ¿A quién le has anunciado la paz y las buenas nuevas?  ¿Cómo ve la gente en ti el júbilo y la salvación del Señor?

 

 

TERCER DIA                                      LEE HEBREOS 1:1-6              SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Que todos los ángeles de Dios lo adoren.”)

  1. ¿Cómo habló Dios en aquellos tiempos? Hebreos 1:1

 

  1. ¿Cómo nos habla ahora y qué hizo de El y por El? Hebreos 1:2

 

  1. ¿Qué se hizo por El (Jesús)? Juan 1:3-4

 

  1. ¿De quién es Jesús el reflejo y la copia perfecta y cómo se mantiene el universo?  Hebreos 1:3

 

  1. ¿Qué hizo Jesús después que purificó al mundo de sus pecados? Hebreos 1:3

 

  1. ¿Cómo cumplió Jesús con ésta purificación? Colosenses 1:15-20

 

  1. ¿Qué ha heredado Jesús y de quién está muy por encima? Hebreos 1:4

 

  1. ¿Debido a que Jesús se humilló a sí mismo siendo obediente a morir, qué hizo Dios con El?   Filipenses 2:8-9

 

  1. ¿Cuáles son las preguntas que se hacen sobre los ángeles? ¿Qué dice El acerca de su hijo?  Hebreos 1:5

 

  1. ¿Quién es el Rey de los reyes de la tierra y quién nos ama? Apocalipsis 1:5

 

Personal – ¿Cómo te ha sostenido la Santa Palabra de Dios y cómo has adorado a Su Hijo Jesús esta semana?

 

 

CUARTO DIA                                        LEE JUAN 1:1-18                               EVANGELIO

(“Y el Verbo se hizo carne y habitó entre nosotros”)

  1. ¿Quién era en el principio? Juan 1:1, 14

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús que eran El y su Padre? Juan 10:30

 

  1. ¿Quién estaba en el principio con Dios y cómo fue esta vida que vino a ser por medio de El? Juan 1:2-4

 

  1. ¿Qué no pudieron vencer las tinieblas? Juan 1:5

 

  1. ¿Quién vino a dar testimonio, sobre qué atestiguó y qué dijo acerca de si mismo?   Juan 1:6-8

 

  1. ¿Qué hace la luz verdadera, cómo se hizo el mundo y quiénes no lo recibieron?   Juan 1:9-11

 

  1. ¿Qué les concedió a los que aceptaron a Jesús, en qué creyeron y cómo han nacido?    Juan 1:12-13

 

  1. ¿Quién puede entrar al reino de Dios? Juan 3:5

 

  1. ¿Qué no ha sido revelado y qué nos pasará cuando lo sea? 1 Juan 3:2

 

  1. ¿Cuando el Verbo se hizo carne de qué estaba lleno? Juan 1:14

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Juan sobre Jesús, qué nos había dado por medio de Moisés y qué vino por medio de Jesús? Juan 1:15-17

 

  1. ¿Quién nos ha revelado al Padre? Juan 1:18

 

Personal – ¿Qué te ha revelado Jesús sobre el Padre?

 

 

QUINTO DIA                                       LEE SALMO 98:1-6

(“El Señor ha dado a conocer Su salvación.”)

Lee y medita el Salmo 98:1-6.

 

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor por medio de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA                                LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

                                                                   ISAIAS 52:7-10

En el pasaje de hoy Dios anima a su pueblo a buscar el consuelo en la historia y a esperar ansiosamente un éxodo más grande.  Les está diciendo que es tiempo de dejar los lamentos a un lado y el letargo que tenían.  Viene el sonido de las Buenas Nuevas de que Dios acompañará a su pueblo a casa, a Jerusalén, la ciudad santa de Dios, la ciudad con el Templo de Dios.  Pero la gente estaba desolada en vez de próspera y destruida en vez de libre.  Sufrían terriblemente debido a sus pecados pero Dios les prometió restaurar a Jerusalén como ciudad santa.

Dios reina y hoy El sigue permaneciendo en control.  El versículo de hoy nos dice que hermosas son las pisadas de aquel que trae la buena nueva de la paz y la salvación (v. 7).  Qué hermosas son las pisadas de los que van adelante y predican el Evangelio de Jesucristo (Romanos 10:15).  Qué bienvenidos son los que traen el mensaje de esperanza a un pedazo de nuestro mundo destrozado, sin esperanzas.

El gran mensaje de salvación de Dios debe pasar a otros por medio de nosotros para que tengan la oportunidad de responder a las “Buenas Nuevas.”  ¿Cómo lo van a oír nuestros seres queridos si no se las decimos?  Dios nos está llamando a tomar parte para que ese mensaje sea conocido en nuestra familia y nuestra comunidad.  Piensa en una persona que necesite oír las buenas nuevas y piensa en algo que puedes hacer para ayudarle a escucharlas.  Ve y hazlo en nombre de Jesús lo más pronto posible.

 

HEBREOS 1:1-6

La carta a los Hebreos fue escrita para un grupo de Judíos Cristianos que parecía que habían repensado acerca de Jesucristo como su tan esperado Mesías.  Debía haber sido una comunidad de Cristianos maduros ya para entonces pero en vez de eso parecían retraídos y viendo a su interior en su camino espiritual. Necesitaban un recordatorio severo de que lo que ya poseían en Cristo era mucho mejor de lo que tenían antes de hacerse Cristianos.

Este pasaje empieza con una fuerte afirmación de la divinidad de Jesús.  A través de Jesús, Dios ha hecho Su revelación suprema y final de Si mismo al hombre.  Jesús es la encarnación viva del carácter y la majestad de Dios.  Jesús ha hecho frente al problema del pecado humano sacrificándose a sí mismo en la cruz y pagando el rescate por toda la humanidad con su sangre.  El está ahora al lado de Dios en una posición de poder supremo.  Los ángeles, a quienes los Judíos casi adoraban, adoraron a Jesucristo.  Los ángeles son seres espirituales y están para servir y glorificar a Dios mismo.

La gente conocía bien las escrituras y ya sea por dudas, persecución o falsas enseñanzas, parecía estar en peligro de retirarse de su fe Cristiana.  Este peligro está también muy presente en el mundo de hoy. Hay muchas enseñanzas falsas y muchos que se dan en llamar “Pastores” que no son más que lobos disfrazados de ovejas.  Necesitamos estar en contacto con la comunidad, orar y estudiar la Santa Palabra de Dios y seguir las enseñanzas de nuestra iglesia.  Toma el tiempo en esta época de Navidad para dar gracias al Señor por traer la luz a tu corazón y un mejor entendimiento con El.  ¡Recuerda es el cumpleaños de Jesús y el regalo que El más quiere eres Tú!

 

JUAN 1:1-18

Este pasaje muestra claramente que lo que Jesús enseñó y lo que hizo está unido inseparablemente a El como lo que es.  En la lectura de hoy Juan muestra a Jesús como absolutamente humano y absolutamente Dios.  Aún cuando Jesús tomó la humanidad total para sí mismo y vivió como un hombre pasando por todas las emociones que nosotros pasamos, nunca dejo de ser Dios, el que ha existido siempre.  Esta es la verdad sobre Jesús y es la base de toda la verdad.  Si no queremos o no podemos creer en esta verdad básica, no tendremos suficiente fe para confiarle nuestro destino eterno.  Esta es la razón por la que Juan escribe este Evangelio, para crear la fe y la confianza en Jesucristo y así creamos que El realmente fue y es Dios hecho carne (Juan 20:30-31).

La vida de Jesús trae luz a la humanidad, en su luz nos vemos como realmente somos: pecadores con la necesidad de un salvador.  Caemos de rodillas y como los pastores en el portal de Belén damos alabanza y gloria a la luz del mundo, nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo.  Los magos siguieron la luz de la estrella para ver la luz del mundo.  Cuando seguimos a Jesús, luz del mundo podemos evitar el caminar a ciegas y el caer en pecado.  El ilumina nuestro camino yendo delante de nosotros para que veamos como debemos vivir.  El quita la oscuridad del pecado de nuestras vidas y si permitimos que la luz de Cristo brille en nuestras vidas en esta época de Navidad nunca tropezaremos en la oscuridad.

Ahora que el mundo celebra el nacimiento de Cristo, renace tú espiritualmente.  A través de la fe en Cristo este renacer nos cambia de adentro para afuera, arreglando otra vez nuestras actitudes, deseos y motivos.  ¿Le has pedido a Cristo que te haga una persona nueva en el día de la Navidad?  Este nuevo comienzo está a la mano para todos aquellos que creen en El.  Feliz Navidad.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos dice que hermosos son los pasos de aquellos que van adelante y proclaman la Palabra de Dios.  La segunda lectura nos muestra que el tener ánimo y disciplina lleva a un compromiso más fuerte con Dios.  El Evangelio revela que la Navidad es tiempo de renacer y tiempo de darle tu vida a Dios.

Esta semana dale a los que amas el mejor presente que puedes darles de Navidad.  Qué hermosos son tus pasos cuando vas adelante y haces el obsequio de tu presencia, de tu amor, de la salvación acercándolos a Cristo.  ¡Recuerda es el cumpleaños de Cristo y los regalos deben ser todos para El y El lo único que quiere es a Ti!

Christmas (Dec. 25th) – Cycle A, B, C

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

CHRISTMAS DAY – CYCLE A-B-C

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit. “THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.” (JOHN 14:26)

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY             READ ISAIAH 52:7-10         FIRST READING

(“Your God is King”)

  1. Whose feet are beautiful and what does he announce? Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15

 

  1. What are we not to be afraid to cry out? Isaiah 40:9

 

  1. Why do the watchmen shout for joy? Isaiah 52:8

 

  1. What are the watchmen never to do? Isaiah 62:6

 

  1. What are we to do together and for what reason? Isaiah 52:9

 

  1. Why does God comfort and encourage us? 2 Cor 1:3-4

 

  1. Whom does the Lord redeem? Psalm 34:23

 

  1. What has the Lord done with his holy arm and in the sight of whom?   Isaiah 52:10

 

  1. What will all the ends of the earth see? Isaiah 52:10

 

  1. What is to be known upon the earth, among all nations? Psalm 67:3

 

Personal – To whom have you been announcing peace and good news? How do people see the joy and salvation of the Lord upon you?

 

 

THIRD DAY              READ HEBREWS 1:1-6        SECOND READING

(“Let all the angels of God worship him.”)

  1. How did God speak in times past? Hebrews 1:1

 

  1. How does God speak to us now, what did he make him, and what did he do through him?   Hebrews 1:2

 

  1. What came to be through him (Jesus)? John 1:3-4

 

  1. Of whom is Jesus the reflection and perfect copy, and by what are all things sustained?   Hebrews 1:3

 

  1. When Jesus accomplished purifications from sins what did he do?   Hebrews 1:3

 

  1. How did Jesus accomplish this purification? Col 1:15-20

 

  1. What has Jesus inherited, and to what is he far superior? Hebrews 1:4

 

  1. Because Jesus humbled himself becoming obedient to death, what did God do to him?   Philippians 2:8-9

 

  1. What are the questions asked about angels, and what does he say about his first born?   Hebrews 1:5

 

  1. Who is ruler of the kings of the earth and who loves us? Revelations 1:5

 

Personal – How have you been sustained by God’s Mighty Word and how have you worshipped his Son Jesus this past week?

 

 

FOURTH DAY              READ JOHN 1:1-18                 GOSPEL

( “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,”)

  1. Who was in the beginning? John 1:1,14

 

  1. Who did Jesus say he was to the Father? John 10:30

 

  1. Who was in the beginning with God and what was this life that came to be through him?   John 1:2-4

 

  1. What has the darkness not overcome? John 1:5

 

  1. Who came for testimony, to what did he testify, and what did he say about himself?   John 1:6-8

 

  1. What does the true light do, how did the world come to be, and who did not accept him?   John 1:9-11

 

  1. To those who did accept Jesus what did he give them power to become, in what did they believe, and how were they born?         John 1:12-13

 

  1. Who can enter the kingdom of God? John 3:5

 

  1. What has not been revealed and what will happen to us when it is revealed?   1 John 3:2

 

  1. When the Word became flesh what was he full of? John 1:14

 

  1. What did John say about Jesus, what came through Moses, and what came through Jesus?   John 1:15-17

 

  1. Who has revealed the Father to us? John 1:18

 

Personal – What has Jesus revealed to you about the Father?

 

FIFTH DAY              READ PSALM 98:1-6

(” The Lord has made his salvation known.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 98:1-6

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

SIXTH DAY          READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ISAIAH 52:7-10

In today’s passage God urges his people to draw comfort from past history and to look forward to a greater exodus. He is telling them that it is time to shake off the grief and lethargy that has overtaken them. There is the sound of Good News that God is about to escort his people home, to Jerusalem, God’s holy city, the city with God’s temple. But the people experienced desolation instead of prosperity, and destruction instead of liberty. The people suffered terribly because of their sins, but God prom­ised to restore Jerusalem as a holy city.

God reigns, and today he still is very much in control. Today’s verse states how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation (v.7). How beautiful are the feet of those who go forth and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 10­:15). How welcome are those who bring the message of hope to a broken, hopeless, segment of our world.

God’s great message of salvation must be through us to others so they can have the chance to respond to the “Good News”. How will our loved ones hear it unless we take it to them. How will the nations hear it unless someone takes it to them? God is calling us to take a part in making his message known in our family and our community. Think of one person who needs to hear the good news, and think of some­thing you can do to help him or her hear it. Then you go out and do that act, in Jesus’ name, as soon as possible.

 

HEBREWS 1:1-6

The letter to the Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who appeared to be having second thoughts about Jesus Christ being their long-awaited Messiah. They should have been a community of mature Christians by this time; instead, they seemed to be sort of withdrawn and inward-looking in their spiritual walk. They needed a strong reminder that what they now possess in Christ is far better than what they had before they became Christians.

This passage begins with a tremendous affir­ma­tion of Jesus’ divinity. Through Jesus, God has made his supreme and final revelation of himself to man. Jesus is the living embodiment of the character and majesty of God. Jesus has dealt with the problem of human sin by sacrificing himself on the cross and paying the ransom for all mankind with his blood. He is now at God’s side in the position of supreme power. The angels, whom the Jews came very close to worshipping themselves, worship Jesus Christ. They are spiritual beings and they are to serve and glorify God himself.

The people were well versed in scrip­ture and whether through doubt, persecution, or false teaching, they seemed to be in danger of falling away from their Christian faith. This danger is very much present in today’s world. There is much false teaching today and many so-called “Shepherds” are just wolves in sheep’s clothing. We need to stay in fellowship, pray, and to study God’s Holy Word, and follow the teachings of our church. Take the time this Christmas season to thank the Lord for bringing his light into your heart and bringing about a better relationship with him. Remember, it is Jesus birthday, and the present he wants most is YOU!

 

 

JOHN 1:1-18

This passage clearly shows that what Jesus taught and what he did are tied inseparably to who he is. In today’s reading John shows Jesus as fully human and fully God. Although Jesus took upon himself full humanity and lived as a man experiencing all the emotions that all of us have, he never ceased to be God who has always existed. This is the truth about Jesus, and the foundation of all truth. If we cannot or do not believe this basic truth, we will not have enough faith to trust our eternal destiny to him. This is the reason John writes this Gospel, to build faith and confidence in Jesus Christ, so that we may believe he truly was and is God in the flesh (John 20:30-31).

Jesus’ life brings light to mankind, in his light we see ourselves as we really are: sinners in need of a savior. We fall on our knees, and like the shepherds at the little cave in Bethlehem, we too give praise and glory to the light of the world, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The wise men followed the light of a star to see the light of the world. When we follow Jesus, the light of the world, we can avoid walking blindly and falling into sin. He lights the path ahead of us so we can see how to live. He removes the darkness of sin from our lives, and if we have allowed the light of Christ to shine in our lives this Christmas season, then we will never stumble in the darkness.

As the world celebrates the birth of Christ, let yourself be reborn spiritually. Through faith in Christ this new birth changes us from the inside out – rearranging our attitudes, desires and motives. Have you asked Christ to make you a new person on Christmas day? This fresh start is available to all who believe in him. Merry Christmas.

 

Application

The first reading tells us how beautiful are the feet of those who go forth and proclaim God’s Word. The second reading shows that encouragement and discipline lead to a stron­ger commitment to God. The Gospel reveals Christmas as a time of new birth, a time of giving your life over to God.

This week, give those you love the greatest present you could give them for Christmas. How beautiful are your feet as you go forth and gift them with the gift of your pres­ence, of your love, of salvation by bring­ing them to Christ. Remember, it is Christ’s birthday, and the presents should all be for him, and he only wants you!

Lectio Divina – 4th Sunday of Advent (Dec. 18th) – 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

Matthew 1:18-24 – This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

  1. What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

 

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

Lectio Divina – 3rd Sunday of Advent (Dec. 11th) – 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.”

Say the opening prayer

Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.

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

Matthew 11:2-11 – When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ‘Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

A. What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Lectio Divina – 2nd Sunday of Advent (Dec. 4th) – 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.”

Say the opening prayer

Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.

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

Matthew 3:1-12 – John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jeruselem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his had. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

 

A. What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

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El Pan de Vida – Estudio de Biblia Catolico

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

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

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

 

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

SEGUNDO DIA                                                        2 SAMUEL 5:1-3                                    PRIMERA LECTURA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Génesis 48:15

Salmo 23:1

Juan 10:6-7, 11

Juan 10:16

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

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

TERCER DIA                                                      COLOSENSES 1:12-20                              SEGUNDA LECTURA

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

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

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

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

Salmo 89:28

Juan 1:3

Juan 1:18

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

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

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

CUARTO DIA                                                            LUCAS 23:35-43                                                     EVANGELIO

(“Este es el rey de los Judíos.”)

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

 

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

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

1 Timoteo 2:4

Juan 12:47

Juan 3:16

Juan 10:10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

QUINTO DIA                                                    LEE EL SALMO 122:1-5

                                                                         (“Dá gracias al nombre del Señor.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 122:1-5.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor por medio de este Salmo?

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

SEXTO DIA                                                 LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

                                                                                         2 SAMUEL 5:1-3

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

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

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

COLOSENSES 1:12-20

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

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

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

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

LUCAS 23:35-43

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

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

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

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

Aplicación

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

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

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

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THE BREAD OF LIFE

CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

SECOND DAY                                  READ ISAIAH 11:1‑10                           FIRST READING

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

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

 

  1. Who is the sprout? Luke 3:23‑33

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

THIRD DAY                                     READ ROMANS 15:4‑9                     SECOND READING

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

FOURTH DAY                                READ MATTHEW 3:1‑12                                        GOSPEL

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY                        READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ISAIAH 11:1‑10

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

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

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

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

 

ROMANS 15:4‑9

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

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

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

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

 

 

MATTHEW 3:1‑12

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

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

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

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

 

Application

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

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

 

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

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THE BREAD OF LIFE

CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY                                    READ ISAIAH 2:1‑5                             FIRST READING

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

THIRD DAY                                   READ ROMANS 13:11‑14                   SECOND READING

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Ephesians 6:10-17

Helmet ‑

Breastplate ‑

Belt ‑

Footgear ‑

Shield ‑

Sword ‑

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

FOURTH DAY                              READ MATTHEW 24:37‑44                                      GOSPEL

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

FIFTH DAY                                      READ PSALM 122:1‑9

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

Read and meditate on Psalm 122:1‑9.

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY                        READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ISAIAH 2:1‑5

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

ROMANS 13:11‑14

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

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

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

 

 

MATTHEW 24:37‑44

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

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

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

 

Application

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

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

 

 

Trigésimo Primero Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (30 de Octubre) – Ciclo C

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

Por Deacon Ken y 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 SABIDURIA 11:22-12:1 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Porque tu amas todo lo que existe.”)

1. ¿Todo el mundo es como cuáles dos cosas? Sabiduría 11:22

 

2. ¿Qué es lo que Dios tiene de todos y qué es lo que puede hacer? Sabiduría 11:23

 

3. ¿Qué es lo que Dios disimula y por qué razón? Sabiduría 11:23

 

4. ¿Qué es lo que Dios ignora y para que le daba lugar al hombre? Sabiduría 12:10

 

5. ¿Qué es lo que Dios manda a todo hombre hacer? Hechos 17:30

 

6. ¿Qué es lo que Dios proclama a todo lo que existe? ¿Qué es lo que no aborrece? ¿Por qué razón? Sabiduría 11:24

 

7. ¿Dios es qué para toda la gente y para todos sus trabajos? Salmo 145:9

 

8. ¿Cómo se puede conservar o preservar algo por medio de Dios? Sabiduría 11:25

 

9. ¿Qué es lo que Dios tiene a todas las cosas, por qué y qué es lo que ama? Sabiduría 11:26

 

10. ¿Qué está en todas las cosas? Sabiduría 12:1

 

11. ¿Qué es lo que se ha llenado con el Espíritu del Señor? ¿Y qué es lo que sabe? Sabiduría 1:7

 

Personal – ¿Cómo he aceptado el amor de Dios? ¿En qué forma he perdonado los pecados de un miembro de mi familia, amigo, o compañero de trabajo? ¿Y cómo le he dado oportunidad de arrepentirse y en esa forma demostrar mi amor por éllos?

 

 

TERCER DIA 2 TESALONICENSES 1:11-2:2 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Rogamos nosotros a cada momento por ustedes”)

1. ¿Quién habla, con quién habla en 2 Tesalonicenses 1:11-2:2? 2 Tesalonicenses 1:1

 

2. ¿Qué es lo que hacen por la iglesia y por qué razón? 2 Tesalonicenses 1:11

 

3. ¿Cómo Dios lleva a efecto los buenos propósitos y concede una fe activa? 2 Tesalonicenses 1:11

 

4. ¿Quién produce en tí el querer o el lograr? Filipenses 2:13

 

5. ¿Quién será glorificado en ustedes y ustedes en él? ¿Y cómo se hará esto? 2 Tesalonicenses 1:12

 

6. ¿Sobre la pregunta de quién vendrá y quién se reunirá con él ¿Cómo les habla Pablo a los hermanos? 2 Tesalonicenses 2:1

 

7. ¿Cuáles son las dos cosas que les ruega que no dejen que pasen tan fácilmente? 2 Tesalonicenses 2:2

 

8. ¿Cuáles tres cosas dice para que no se dejen convencer que el día de su llegada está aquí? 2 Tesalonicenses 2:2

 

9. ¿Cómo es que el Señor vendrá otra vez, qué pasará con los que murieron en Cristo? 1 Tesalonicenses 4:13-16

 

10. ¿Qué pasará con los que viven y con los sobrevivientes? ¿Qué debemos hacer con este mensaje? 1 Tesalonicenses 4:17

 

Personal – ¿En qué forma te has preparado para la segunda venida del Señor?

 

 

CUARTO DIA LUCAS 19:1-10 EVANGELIO

(“El Hijo del Hombre vino a buscar y salvar lo que estaba perdido.”)

1. ¿Cuando Jesucristo llegó a Jericó quién estaba ahí? ¿Cómo se llamaba? ¿Qué posición tenía? ¿De qué posición social era? Lucas 19:1-2

 

2. ¿Quién fue a ser bautizado por Juan Bautista y qué fue lo que les dijo? Lucas 3:12-14

 

3. ¿Cuál de los discípulos de Jesús fue cobrador de impuestos? Mateo 9:9

 

4. ¿Qué es lo que Zaqueo estaba haciendo? ¿Por qué quería hacer eso y qué le prevenía de hacerlo? Lucas 19:3

 

5. ¿Qué fue lo que hizo primero y cuando no pudo qué fue lo que hizo? Lucas 19:4

 

6. ¿Qué fue lo que hizo Jesús cuando llegó al lugar donde Zaqueo estaba y qué fue lo que le dijo a él? Lucas 19:5

 

7. ¿Cómo se bajó Zaqueo y cómo recibió a Jesús? Lucas 19:6

 

8. ¿Al observar esto qué fue lo que murmuraron todos? Lucas 19:7

 

9. ¿Qué hizo Zaqueo y qué dijo al Señor? Lucas 19:8

 

10. ¿Qué fue lo que Jesús le dijo a él? Lucas 19:9

 

11. ¿Por qué vino el hijo de Dios? Lucas 19:10

 

Personal – ¿En qué forma has pagado a alquien a quien hayas defraudado? ¿En qué forma Jesús te ha buscado y te ha salvado? Comparte con alguien de tu familia o con un amigo.

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE EL SALMO 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14

(“El Señor es bueno con todos.”)

Leé and medita el Salmo 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor por medio de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

SABIDURIA 11:22-12:1

Este pasaje nos forza a reflexionar en qué tanto somos amados y protegidos por Dios. Se nos ha dicho que este maravilloso universo se puede comparar con una pequeña partícula usada para pesar en una báscula muy precisa. En Dios hay mucho más y aún así, nuestro universo es tan querido por El como el rocío de la mañana. Oímos acerca de un Dios que es tán majestuoso que aún cuando El puede hacer todas las cosas, le encanta ser misericordioso. El libro de la Sabiduría es hermoso pues nos ayuda a entender el increíble amor que Dios nos tiene.

A Dios no se le pasa nada, El vé nuestras fallas y aún así nos anima constantemente para que sigamos adelante. Nos dá muchas oportunidades para que nos arrepintamos y disfrutemos de Su reino (Marcos 1:15). Es muy difícil para el hombre entender el amor de Dios, pues El ama todo lo que ha creado. El no hace basura, nosotros no somos basura y Dios nunca hará basura. Es por eso que El nos ama siempre. El nos ama tanto que dió a Su único Hijo para que todos los que creamos en El no muramos sino que tengamos vida eterna (Juan 3:16). ¿Tu creés que él te amo tanto que murió sabiendo que podrías pecar (Romanos 5:8)? Sí, lo hizo.

Sabiduría es tener temor al Señor, no temor al castigo, es temor de ofender su amor y benevolencia, pues el verdadero amor echa fuera el temor (1 Juan 4:18). El amor de Dios por nosotros está consumado en Jesús. El nos dá su mandamiento, ámense unos a otros como yo los he amado (Juan 15:12). Sabiduría es entender que el Espíritu del Señor se dá para todos los hombres y que ese Espíritu Santo nos instruirá en todo (Juan 14:26. Así vemos que los brazos de Cristo se extendierón en la cruz del Calvario para que tú y yo podamos tener el increíble privilegio de escoger la vida o la muerte. La persona sabía escogerá la vida, la tonta escogerá la muerte.

 

2 TESALONICENSES 1:11 – 2:2

Pablo está animando al pueblo pues habían tenido una temporada de alborotos y confusión acerca de “los últimos días.” El pensamiento del fin del mundo y del regreso de Jesús hizo que mucha gente dejara de estimar las responsabilidades de la vida diaria. Algunos no querían regresar a su trabajo, otros no querían continuar con sus obligaciones monetarias. Pablo les dice en este pasaje que su vida y el modo en que viven es un reflejo de Nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo. También les dice que Dios nos llama a vivir honradamente y tener fe en su promesa. Esa promesa es que, todo el que crea en él no morirá sino que tendrá vida eterna con El.

Pablo continúa y les dice que no se sabe cuando regresará el Señor, pero que su Espíritu estará dentro de nosotros hasta que eso suceda (Juan 14:26). Oímos hoy en día muchas ideas de como andar el camino. Oímos y vemos mucho de la teología de “la nueva era” que nos dice que podemos volvernos dioses nosotros mismos. Debemos reflexionar acerca de la seducción de la que habla Pablo en el versículo tres. Cuando la iglesia se une a la época se vuelve viuda rápidamente.

Pablo les dice a éllos y a nosotros que solo hay un camino hacía la vida eterna y es através de Jesús; solo Dios sabe cuando será el final de los tiempos. Nuestra fe depende únicamente de la presencia viva del poder de Dios en nuestras vidas. Debemos vivir nuestra vida como si fuera hoy el día en que Jesús viniera a llevarnos con el Padre.

 

LUCAS 19:1-10

Una vez más vemos a Jesús como el clásico ministro. Jesús sabía muy bien lo que la gente del lugar pensaba de los recolectores de impuestos y sabía que sus acciones podían provocar una gran controversia. El quería que ellos amaran al pecador y odiaran al pecado, y no quería que odiaran al pecador del mismo modo que odiaban al pecado. El quiso enseñarles llendo a cenar con Zaqueo que estaba abierto para aliviar el corazón de las personas sin importar cual era su situación en la vida.

Zaqueo sabía que la gente pensaba que él era un estafador ya que la mayoría de los recolectores de impuestos eran así (Lucas 5:27-32). Zaqueo era rico pero no felíz. Probablemente se sentía muy solo ya que había escogido un trabajo que lo hacía indeseable como amigo. Sin duda había oído de Jesús y de su amor por los indeseables y los pecadores como él y se preguntaba si habría para él algo de esas “buenas nuevas.” Despreciado y odiado por la gente del pueblo, Zaqueo estaba buscando el amor y la aceptación de Dios. Uno tiene que recordar que Zaqueo era de baja estatura y que se arriesgó a ser visto en público estando solo. No podía ver por encima de los demás, así que buscó un árbol se subió a él y vió a Jesús cuando pasaba por ahí.

Puedes imaginarte lo que sintió Zaqueo cuando oyó la invitación que Jesús le hacia. Literalmente brincó de árbol con alegría y le dijo a todos que era un hombre nuevo, había cambiado. El supo que Jesús estaba arriesgándose a ser rechazado por la multitud al decir que quería ir a la casa de un pecador conocido. Jesús hace esto hoy en día contigo y conmigo. Nos dice que él quiere estar en nuestra casa o sea en nuestro corazón. Zaqueo entonces hizo una decisión; decidió amar, pues había percibido el increíble regalo del amor de Dios. Debido a este amor decidió dar la mitad de sus bienes a los pobres. En el pago de su falta fue más allá de lo que la ley requería. Unicamente si el robo era un acto de destrucción, violentamente premeditado tenía que darse cuatro veces más (Exodo 22:1).

Zaqueo mostró que era un hombre cambiado con sus acciones no con sus palabras. Se había arrepentido por el amor no por la fuerza. Un hombre o una mujer que se arrepiente, cambia completamente. Arrepentirse no es solamente decir “Perdóname.” El testimonio de Zaqueo hubiera sido completamente inválido si no hubiera estado respaldado por sus acciones. Debemos reflexionar en la historia de hoy y ver de que debemos arrepentirnos nosotros.

Como Zaqueo, necesitamos tener a Jesús viviendo en nuestro corazón para amar y ser amados (Juan 15:12). Este pasaje termina con Jesús diciéndonos que El vino a buscar y a salvar al que está perdido. Zaqueo era judío, hijo de Abraham y el Señor vino a él y lo trajo a su reino. Nosotros tenemos ese mismo Dios amoroso que siempre está listo para venir a nuestra “casa” y traernos a su casa también.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos dice qué tanto somos amados y protegidos por Dios a pesar de nuestro egoísmo. La segunda lectura muestra que el modo en que vivimos es una reflexión de lo que creemos. El Evangelio demuestra a traves de la historia de Zaqueo que las acciones hablan más fuerte que las palabras. Arrepentirse significa Cambiar.

Escoge uno de tus malos hábitos y en oración y con fe trabaja sobre el esta semana. Atestiguar con palabras sin actuar no tiene ninqún valor, así que comparte con alguien especial tus progresos. El modo en que le hablas a tus hijos les dice si éllos son para tí algo especial o una carga. Deja que tu familia vea que eres sumiso al Señor y que le das permiso para que te cambie. Funciona. El cambió a Zaqueo y quiere cambiarte a tí.

Thirty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time (October 30th) – Cycle C

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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 WISDOM 11:22-12:1 FIRST READING

(“For you love all things that are.”)

1. What two things is the whole universe like? Wisdom 11:22

 

2. What does God have on all and what can he do? Wisdom 11:23

 

3. What does God overlook and for what reason? Wisdom 11:23

 

4. Of what is God not unaware and for what does he give man space? Wisdom 12:10

 

5. What does God call men everywhere to do? Acts 17:30

 

6. What does God do to all things that are, what does he loathe, and for what reason? Wisdom 11:24

 

7. What is the Lord to all people and toward all his works? Psalm 145:9

 

8. Unless God does what, how can anything remain or be preserved? Wisdom 11:25

 

9. What does God do to all things, for what reason, and of what is he a lover? Wisdom 11:26

 

10. What is in all things? Wisdom 12:1

 

11. What does the Spirit of the Lord ll and what does he know? Wisdom 1:7

 

Personal – How have I accepted God’s love for me? In what way have I overlooked the sins of a family member, friend, or co-worker and given them an opportunity to repent and thus show my love for them?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ 2 THESSALONIANS 1:11-2:2 SECOND READING

(“We pray for you always.”)

1. Who is speaking and to whom is he speaking in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2? 2 Thessalonians 1:1

 

2. What do they do always for the church and for what reason? 2 Thessalonians 1:11

 

3. How does God fulfill every honest intention and work of faith? 2 Thessalonians 1:11

 

4. Who begets (brings forth) in you any measure of desire or achievement? Philippians 2:13

 

5. Who may be glorified in you and you in him and how is this done? 2 Thessalonians 1:12

 

6. On the question of whose coming, and of who is being gathered with him, how is Paul addressing the brothers? 2 Thessalonians 2:1

 

7. What two things is he begging them not to let happen so easily? 2 Thessalonians 2:2

 

8. What three ways is he saying not to be swayed into believing that the day of the Lord is here? 2 Thessalonians 2:2

 

9. How is the Lord going to come again and what will happen to those who have died in Christ? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16

 

10. Personal – In what way have you been preparing for the Lord’s second coming?

 

11. What will happen to those who are living, the survivors, and what are we to do with this message? 1 Thessalonians 4:17

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ LUKE 19:1-10 GOSPEL

(“The Son of Man has come to search out and save what is lost”)

1. As Jesus entered Jericho who was there, what was his name, what position did he hold, and what economic status did he hold? Luke 19:1-2

 

2. Who came to be baptized by John the Baptist and what did he tell them? Luke 3:12-14

 

3. Which one of Jesus’ disciples was a tax collector? Matthew 9:9

 

4. What was Zacchaeus doing, why did he want to do this and what prevented him from doing this? Luke 19:3

 

5. What did he rst do and when that did not work, what did he then do? Luke 19:4

 

6. What did Jesus do when he came to the spot where Zacchaeus was and what did he say to him? Luke 19:5

 

7. How did Zacchaeus descend and how did he welcome Jesus? Luke 19:6

 

8. When this was observed what did everyone begin to murmur? Luke 19:7

 

9. What did Zacchaeus do and what did he say to the Lord? Luke 19:8

 

10. What did Jesus say to him? Luke 19:9

 

11. Why did the Son of Man come? Luke 19:10

 

Personal – In what way have you repaid anyone you may have defrauded? In what way has Jesus come to search you out and save you personally?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14

(“The Lord is good to all.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14.
What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

WISDOM 11:22-12:1

This passage forces us to reflect on how much we are loved and protected by God. We are being told that this awesome universe is like being compared to a small particle used for weighing on sensitive scales. In God there is so much more and yet our universe is as precious to him as early morning dew. We hear about a God who is so majestic that even though he can do all things, he loves being merciful. Wisdom is so precious because it helps us to understand God’s incredible love for us.

God doesn’t miss anything, he sees our failures, and yet he constantly encourages us to go forward. He gives us so much room to repent and to enjoy his kingdom (Mark 1:15). It is so hard for man to understand God’s love, because God loves everything that he has created. God does not make junk, we are not junk, and God will never make junk. That is why he loves us always. God loves us so much he gave us his only Son, so that all who believe in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Do you really believe that he loved you so much he died knowing that you would be sinning (Romans 5:8)? He did.

Wisdom is fear of the Lord, not a fear of punishment but fear of offending his love and goodness because true love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). God’s love for us is complete in Jesus. He gives us his command, love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12). Wisdom is knowing that the Spirit of the Lord is given for all men and that the Spirit will instruct us in everything (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit is all-embracing and this means that the arms of Christ were stretched out wide on the cross of Calvary so that you and I can have the incredible privilege of choosing life or death. The wise person will choose life; the fool will choose death.

 

2 THESSALONIANS 1:11-2:2

Paul is now encouraging the people because they had been going through a time of turmoil and confusion about the “last days.”The thought of the world coming to an end and Jesus coming back led many to give up the responsibilities of daily life. Some of the people did not want to go back to work, some did not want to continue to meet their financial obligations. Paul is telling them in this passage that their life and the way that they live is a reflection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul also tells them that God calls us to live in honor and have faith in his promise. His promise is that all who believe in him will not perish but instead have eternal life with him.

Paul goes on to tell them that the day which the Lord is to come back is not yet known, but his Spirit will be within us until then (John 14:26). We hear today many new ways to “talk the talk” and “walk the walk.” We hear and see quite a bit of the “new age” theology which calls us to become gods unto ourselves. We really need to reflect on the seduction of the age that Paul spoke about in verse three. When the Church marries the age or times, the church quickly becomes a widow.

Paul is telling them, as he is telling us, that there is only one way to eternal life, and that is through Jesus; and that only God knows when the end days are near. Our faith depends only on the living presence of the power of God in our lives. We are to live our lives as if this is the day that Jesus comes to take us home to the Father.

 

LUKE 19:1-10

Once again we see Jesus being the classic minister. Jesus knew full well what the local townspeople thought about tax collectors and knew that his actions would provoke a tremendous amount of controversy. He wanted them to love the sinner and hate the sin, but not hate the sinner as well as the sin. He chose to show them that by having dinner with Zacchaeus he was open to healing a person’s heart no matter what his station in life.

Zacchaeus knew that the people thought that he was a crook as most tax collectors were in those days (Luke 5:27- 32). Zacchaeus was wealthy but not happy. He probably was very lonely because he had chosen a way that made him an outcast. He no doubt had heard of Jesus and his love for outcasts like tax collectors and sinners like himself and wondered if he had any “good news” for him. Despised and hated by the local townspeople, Zacchaeus was reaching out for the love and acceptance of God. One has to remember that Zacchaeus was small in stature and he took a great risk to be seen alone in public. He could not see over the crowd so he finally found a tree that he could climb and see Jesus as he walked by.

Can you imagine the thrill that went through Zacchaeus when he heard Jesus’ invitation? He literally jumped out of the tree in joy and shock and proclaimed to the community that he was a changed man. He knew that Jesus was risking the rejection of the crowd by saying that he wanted to stay at the home of a known sinner. Jesus does that today with you and me. He tells us that he wants to stay in our house, which means in our hearts. Zacchaeus then made a decision; he decided to love because he had experienced the incredible gift of God’s love. Because of this love, he then decided to give half of his goods to the poor. In his restitution, he went far beyond what the law required. Only if robbery was a pre-meditated violent act of destruction was a fourfold giving back necessary (Exodus 22:1).

Zacchaeus showed that he was a changed man by his actions not just his words. Zacchaeus was a man who had repented because of love, not force. A man or woman who repents changes completely. Repentance is not only saying “I am sorry.” Zacchaeus’ testimony would have been completely worthless if it was not backed up by deeds. We should reflect on today’s story and see where, in our lives, repentance is needed.

Like Zacchaeus, we need to have Jesus reside in our hearts in order to love and be loved (John 15:12). This passage ends with Jesus telling us that he came to search out and save the lost. Zacchaeus was a Jew, a child of Abraham, and the Lord came to him and brought him back into the kingdom. We have that same loving God who is always ready to come to our “house” and bring us home, too.

 

Application

The first reading tells us how much we are loved and protected by God in spite of our selfishness. The second reading shows that the way we live is a reflection of what we believe. The Gospel demonstrates through the story about Zacchaeus that actions speak louder than words. Repentance means change.

Pick one specific bad habit and in prayer and faith work on it for this week. Testimony of words without action is worthless, so share your progress with someone special. The way that you talk to your children tells that they are either special or a burden. Let your family know that you are submitting yourself to the Lord and are giving him permission to change you. It works. He changed Zacchaeus and he wants to change you.