THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

 

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY            READ ISAIAH 55:10-11         FIRST READING

(“It shall not return to me void but shall do my will.”)

1. What comes down from the heavens and what does it do to the earth?   Isaiah 55:10

 

2. What does it give to one who sows and one who eats and what shall go forth from the Lord’s mouth?   Isaiah    55:10-11

 

3. How shall it not return to the Lord, what shall the Word do, and what shall it achieve?   Isaiah 55:11

 

4. To what is the earth to hearken, and what is instructed? Deuteronomy 32:1-2

 

5. Who is the word? John 1:1, 14

 

6. How long will the Word stand? Isaiah 40:8

 

7. To whom do we turn to be safe, and what does he utter? Isaiah 45:22-23

 

8. What does God’s Word do for us? Hebrews 4:12

 

9. Of whom does the Lord confirm the words, and how does he carry out his plan? Isaiah 44:26

 

10. What does the Lord say about whatever he speaks? Ezekiel 12:25

 

Personal – In what way have you been a messenger of God’s Word to your family and friends? What results have you seen take place in yourself and those you contact as you have been reading and studying God’s Word.

 

 

THIRD DAY              READ ROMANS 8:18-23        SECOND READING

(“I consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us.”)

 

1. With what is the suffering of the present nothing by comparison?   Romans 8:18

 

2. What will we do when his glory is revealed? 1 Peter 4:13

 

3. What does the whole created world eagerly await? Romans 8:19

 

4. To what was creation made subject, and by whose accord? Romans 8:20

 

5. From what will the world be freed, and in what will it share?   Romans 8:21

 

6. What do we await? 2 Peter 3:12-13, Rev 21:1

 

7. What do we know all creating has done? Romans 8:22

 

8. Why are we weighted down? 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

 

9. Although we have the Spirit as first fruits, what do we await?       Romans 8:23

 

10. For what do we hope, and how do we yield to it? Galatians      5:5

 

11. What will he do to our bodies, how will he do it, and for what reason? Philippians 3:21

 

Personal – In what do you place your hope? In what ways are you suffering, and how is your body groaning inwardly?

 

 

FOURTH DAY            READ MATTHEW 13:1-23               GOSPEL

(“To you has been given a knowledge of the mysteries of the reign of God….”)

 

1. As Jesus sat by the lake shore, who gathered around him? Where did he go, and what did he do at length? Matthew 13:1-3

 

2. Part of what the farmer sowed landed in four different areas. Where were these, and what happened to the seed? Matthew 13:4-9

 

3. What is everyone to heed and what did the disciples ask Jesus? Matthew 13:9-10

 

4. What have they been given that others have not been given and what will happen to the man who has and the man who has not?    Matthew 13:11-12

 

5. Why did Jesus say he uses parables when he speaks? Matthew 13:13

 

6. What is fulfilled in them? Fill in the blanks:

“Listen as _________ ________, you shall not      understand; look intently as _________ _________, you    shall not see.” Matthew 13:14

 

7. How are the people’s hearts? What have they done with their ears and their eyes? Otherwise, what might happen with their ears, eyes, and hearts? Matthew   13:15

 

8. What would happen if they would turn back to the Lord? Matthew 13:15

 

9. What are those who see and hear? Who longed to see and hear what we see and hear, but did not?  Matt 13:16-17

 

10. What is the seed along the path and from where does the evil one steal it?   Matthew 13:19

 

11. What is the seed that fell on patches of rock and what causes this person to falter?   Matthew 13:20-21

 

12. What is the seed that was sown among briers, what two things choke it, and what does it produce?   Matthew 13:22

 

13. What is the seed that was sown on good soil and what does this person yield?   Matthew 13:23

 

Personal – When you hear the message of God and do not understand it, what do you do? When you hear the message, but have no roots, how can you develop roots? What do you do when anxiety and money come before your thoughts of Jesus and the well being of others?

What changes can you make in your life right now?

 

 

FIFTH DAY              READ PSALM 65:10-14

(“You have visited the land and watered it.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 65:10-14.

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

ISAIAH 55:10-11

In this passage Isaiah shows us a tremendous example of how God’s Holy Word is so dependable and long lasting. We need only look around at our world today and see what happens when rain and snow do not come upon the earth. There are droughts; then there are no crops, and the tragic result is famine. Yet so many of us take for granted that we will never run out of water or experience a time of famine.

God’s Word is like the rain that falls on a dry, parched land. It brings forth a seed of eternal truth. The bread that is harvested from the spreading of God’s Holy Word is eternal bread; it is the real bread of life. God’s Word does not come back empty upon us. His Word is life-giving, like the soft rain on a dry desert land. His love for us feeds our spirit; and it changes our heart and inspires us to go forth and sow his seed of love, justice, mercy, hope, and faith.

Have you ever been so hungry and thirsty that you would do anything to get food or drink? Jesus is our drink, he is our food, and he will strengthen us to go forth and strengthen the least of his brothers and sisters (Matt. 25:31-41). Take hold of his Holy Word today and water the deserts of your mind and feed the hunger in your heart. You are his chosen one, he has called you by name, and his plan for you is to live a life that is at its fullest (John 10:10). God wants his Holy Word to fill all nations and bring them peace and harmony. We are called to be his chosen messengers by bringing his Word with us wherever we go (Matt. 28:19).

 

ROMANS 8:18-23

Paul tells us that there is a high price to be paid for being identified with Jesus. We need only look around our planet and see the results of nations that are being attacked by godless people and godless governments. Paul tells of the suffering Christians must face.

Today we might look around and say what kind of suffering are we to endure? The horror of abortion has become so commonplace that those who speak out against it are subject to ridicule, and economic and social rejection. Today many people are going to prison for the crime of trying to save unborn babies. We have read about the Babylonian god “Mardok” where the people sacrificed their children to the “fires of Mardok.” Today we see millions of children being sacrificed to the great gods of “greed and convenience.” The price for practicing our faith can be very high, and it can, in some places, result in death. We must not become complacent in the comforts of our society and ignore the responsibility to live as Jesus did. We must continue serving others, giving up our own rights, and resisting the pressures to conform to the world which always exacts a price.

We are people of hope and must not become pessimistic. We await God’s new order that will free the world of sin, sickness and evil. In the meantime, we can not watch, and stand by and do nothing, while they drag the defenseless innocents to their death. This passage refers particularly to abortion (Proverbs 24:11). We must remember that one day we will be resurrected with bodies, but they will be glorified bodies like the body that Christ now has in heaven (1 Cor. 15:50-56).

 

MATTHEW 13:1-23

Jesus used many parables when he was speaking to the crowds. A parable helps us to understand spiritual truths by using everyday objects and relationships. A parable encourages the listener to discover truth, while at the same time concealing the truth from those too stubborn or too busy to see it.

We see in today’s Gospel passage that the call to listen is very strong. We are to have eyes that really see and ears that really hear what is going on. This passage encourages all to become spiritual farmers – those who preach, teach, and lead others to the Lord. The farmer sowed good seed, but not all responses were good because of the locations. Do not become discouraged if you spread your seed of the Holy Word of God and it is not properly received. We need to remember that it is the Holy Spirit who opens up the hardened hearts of people. The miracle of God’s Holy Spirit will take place as he uses our words to move others to come to him. A human being can hear many types of sound, but there is a deeper and special kind of listening that results in spiritual understanding. We can be assured that if we honestly seek God’s will, we will have spiritual hearing and these parables will take on dynamic new meanings for us.

Jesus did not hide the truth in parables; those who were receptive to spiritual truth understood the parables completely. To others who did not believe in God, they were only stories with various meanings. The parables allowed Jesus to give spiritual food to those who hungered for it. Today, many times, God’s Word is proclaimed with little power and much confusion by messengers who refuse to be submissive to him. We who know Jesus personally are called to love others as he loves us. We are to be held accountable to the Lord if we do not follow his commands very specifi­cally. If we reject Jesus, our hardness of heart will drive away even the little understanding we had.

The seed in today’s passage is the Word of God, and we are called to sow it to all we meet. The four types of soil represent the different responses people have to God’s message. Some people are hardened, some are shallow, some are very distracted by the world, and some are very receptive. How have you responded? What kind of soil are you? Remember, the Word was God, (John 1:1) and the Word became Flesh (John 1:14), and the Spirit that is in you is greater than the spirit that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

 

Application

The first reading tells us that God’s Word is dependable, long lasting, and will not return empty. The second reading shows us that the cost of discipleship is very high. The Gospel reveals that the seed in today’s passage is the Word of God, and we are all called to sow it.

Let us, this week, be faithful, humble messengers of God by reading our scripture readings to someone we know. Take the day’s readings and read them to a sick relative or a small child, a loved one, and especially your husband or wife. Study the readings, share what they mean to you, and LIVE THE READINGS, especially with your family. His Word will not return empty when you are being his messenger.

THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY       READ DEUTERONOMY 8:2‑3, 14‑16    FIRST READING

(“Not by bread alone does man live, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord.”)

1. Who is speaking, and whose words is he announcing? Deuteronomy 5:1‑5

 

2. What is he asking the Israelites to remember? Deuteronomy 8:2

 

3. What two things does the Holy One of Israel, the Lord, our God, do for us? Isaiah 48:17

 

4. Why did affliction come upon the Israelites? Deuteronomy 8:2

 

5. With what did the Lord let them be afflicted? With what did he feed them, and for what reason? Deuteronomy 8:3

 

6. How many days was Jesus tempted in the desert by Satan? What was one of the temptations, and what was Jesus’ answer? Luke 4:2‑4

 

7. Of what is he telling them to be careful after they have their fill? Deuteronomy 8:14

 

8. What did the Lord do for the Israelites? Deuteronomy 8:15-16

 

9. What do affliction and testing make us in the end? Deuteronomy 8:16

 

10. When under trial or affliction, what are we to do? Romans 12:12

 

 

Personal ‑ In what way is there a balance in your life between the food you eat and obedience to the Word of God? In what way are you taking in the Word? Are you eating what is good for you in bread and Word? Is Eucharist part of your daily nourishment?

 

What Kind of Physical Food

4 Basics                         Junk Food

 

How Often

Attitude

 

Listening and Obeying the Word

God’s Word                       Man’s Word

 

How Often

Attitude

 

When Receiving Eucharist

Repentant Heart                  Hard Heart

 

How Often

Attitude

 

 

 

THIRD DAY         READ 1 CORINTHIANS 10:16‑17    SECOND READING

(“We all partake of the one loaf.”)

1. Who wrote this letter and to whom was he writing? 1 Corinthians 1:1‑2

 

2. What are the two questions he asks them in 1 Cor. 10:16?

 

3. What did Jesus do with the bread and what did he say it was? Matthew 26:26

 

4. What did he do with the cup, and what did he say it was? Matthew 26:27‑28

 

5. In what do we share or participate? 1 Corinthians 10:16

 

6. Because the loaf of bread is one, we, many though we are, are what, and for what reason?   1 Corinthians 10:17

 

7. In whom are we one body? Romans 12:5

 

8. Just as there is one body, there is also one what, and what is given you by your call? Ephesians 4:4

 

Personal ‑ In what way do you share in the body and blood of Jesus with your family and friends? Is there a oneness and unity among those with whom you associate? Read the rest of 1 Corinthians 10. Examine your conscience to see whether you have been worshiping the One, True God.

 

FOURTH DAY               READ JOHN 6:51‑58                GOSPEL

(“If anyone eats this bread, he shall live forever.”)

1. Who is speaking? Who did he say he was, and from where has he come down? John 6:43, 51

 

2. What did he say would happen to those who eat this bread? John 6:51

 

3. What did he say the bread he will give is, and for the life of whom?   John 6:51

 

4. How did the Jews react to this, and what did they ask? John 6:52

 

5. Jesus assured them that if they did not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, they would have no what? John 6:53

 

6. What happens to him who feeds on his flesh and drinks his blood?   John 6:54

 

7. What does Jesus say his flesh and blood are? John 6:55

 

8. The man who remains in Jesus, and Jesus in him, does what? John 6:56

 

9. What does the Father have? Whom did he send, and what does he who was sent have because of him?   John 6:57

 

10. What will the man who feeds on Jesus have because of him? John 6:57

 

11. Where did this bread come from, and what is it unlike? John 6:58

 

12. How long will the man live who lives on this bread? John 6:58

 

Personal ‑ How has the eating of Jesus’ flesh, and drinking of his blood, which is the Eucharist, shown others that he is truly present in you?

 

 

FIFTH DAY      READ PSALM 147:12‑15, 19‑20

(“…swiftly runs his Word.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20.

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

DEUTERONOMY 8:2‑3, 14‑16

Today’s passage reveals what it really means to live the “real life.” You have to ask yourself a very difficult question: “How do you find “real life?” Today, many people think it comes when you eat the right foods, or drink the light and tasty drinks. Some go to extreme measures to make sure they dress well so that they may look good. Others spend enormous amounts of time trying to build up their bodies in order to look more attractive, younger or stronger. An incredible number of people think the “real life” is to obtain an education so they can earn a fortune and live wherever they choose and do whatever they decide. Today, we call this “living the good life,” and for many, the way others must live does not enter into their concern. But these desires leave us empty because they satisfy only our appetites, not our deepest longings.

Moses tells us that real life comes from total commitment to God. It requires sacrifice, discipline, and plain hard work. Many people today are looking for the quick fix whether it be for a diet, an education, marriage, or work. Only as our relationship with God deepens will our character and strength develop. The long‑term rewards for obeying God are greater than anything the world has to offer. The bread God gave Moses was a special kind of Bread, and it came from heaven.

God showed what was coming in the form of another special kind of bread at the Last Supper. Jesus gave us himself in the taking and eating of his Body and Blood. He said, “This is my Body, take and eat. This is my Blood, take it and drink.” We call this “Eucha­rist,” which we receive at Mass. We become “Eucharist­ed” when we eat his body and drink his blood. We might ask, “How do we Eucharist others?” You can Eucharist others by giving of yourself in many ways. You Eucharist others when you give them a smile, a hug, a kiss, a loving pat on the shoulder when they are emotionally in pain, a cup of coffee, a glass of cold water, and a few moments of your time to listen. There are many ways to give yourself away to others, and be Eucharisting every one you meet. “Eucha­rist” is at its best when we joyfully give it away. When we say “amen” at communion time, we are saying “Yes, I am the body of Christ.” That is why we are called to go out and Eucharist his people.

 

1 CORINTHIANS 10:16‑17

Paul tells us that we have unity with God when we ask God to bless the wine and bread that is offered, he accepts it, and blesses it through the presence of his Son, Jesus. The ideal of experiencing unity with God through eating a sacrifice was strong in the old days of Judaism, and in the early days of Christianity.

In the Old Testament days, when a Jew offered a sacrifice, he ate part of that sacrifice (Deut. 12:17, 18). Christians then, and today, participate in Christ’s once-and-for-all sacrifice when they eat the bread and drink the wine that is changed into his body and blood. This unity that we call the body of Christ is shared by all who eat and drink of the body and blood of Christ. We call this Communion, which means the believers share in the benefits of the same source (body and blood of Christ). When we all eat from the same loaf, then we are blessed with the gift of unity.

We may ask, “What does it mean to eat the body of Christ, and to share in his glory?” We are asked to reflect to the age‑old question, “Is this an act of faith that we believe in, or is it some great story that we are expected to believe?” Communion is com‑union which means with or union with Christ. Are you in communion with Christ and his family? When we say we share the blessings of Christ’s blood, are we saying that his blessings are only for the spiritually clean, and that his blood covers only the righteous with glory? We need to reflect on our attitude as we come to the table of the Lord. Do we really believe that the bread and wine of our sacrifice has been transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The way we live out our lives will be our greatest testimony to what we say we profess and believe. His “Yes” is our whole healing presence of himself in the Holy Eucharist.

 

JOHN 6:51‑58

This passage challenges us to reflect on Jesus being the “bread of life.” Many people today ask, “How can Jesus give us his flesh as bread to eat?” To eat his living bread means to unite ourselves with Jesus Christ. Jesus tells the people that their fathers in the wilderness ate the bread that came from the skies, and gave them life for a time, but they eventually died. The bread that Jesus gives is eternal life to anyone who partakes of it.

We are united with Christ when we believe in his death and resurrection, and depend on his teaching for guidance, and trust in the Holy Spirit for power. The people of Jesus’ day were shocked just to imagine drinking his blood and eating his flesh. They probably thought this was very cannibalistic. The Jewish law forbade drinking blood (Lev. 17:10‑11), and they could not tolerate such a statement. Jesus was saying that his life had to become their life.

Today, the celebration is called the Eucharist which means thanksgiving or giving thanks in unity that Christ died for all mankind. Paul calls it the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23), and he tells us that Jesus taught us about his Last Supper on the night of the Passover (Luke 22:13‑20). We need to remember that just as Passover celebrated deliverance from slavery in Egypt, so the Lord’s supper or communion as most of us know it, celebrates deliverance from sin by Christ’s death. We need to really remember that Jesus is present to us in the bread and wine, and when we eat his body and drink his blood, we are proclaiming to the world that he will be within us, and bless us until he comes again. This is the tremendous benefit of the new covenant that allows us personally to approach God and communicate with him.

Eating the Sacred Body and drinking the Sacred Blood makes us “Amen” people. That is, we are saying “Amen or yes, I believe it, and I will live it out” when the celebrant hands the consecrated bread and wine to us and says “Body of Christ, Blood of Christ.” Our “Amen” is a yes, not only present in bread and wine, but also to his total presence in ourselves and others as we consume it. We are then called in unity to go forth and present the power and presence of that Eucharist to others by giving it away through our love and service. “They will know we are Christians by our love” is more than just a saying.

 

Application

The first reading tells us that real life comes from total commitment to God. The second reading shows us that “communion” is com-union which means with or in union with Christ. The Gospel tells us that “communion,” or Eucharist, means giving thanks, in unity that Christ died for all mankind.

The body and blood of Christ is given to us in Holy Communion. Let us, this week, show others that he lives within us by the way we act in love, kindness and gentleness. Let others see that this bread of life is a food that nurtures the heart, the mind, the body and the spirit. Your taking time to be compassion­ate, caring, and loving will be a sign to others that this is much more than a symbol.

Show those around you how you bring Eucharist to them. You can Eucharist people with a caring touch, a little note of affirmation, a cup of tea, a shoulder to cry on, a back that needs rubbing. Eucharist is what we call the Body and Blood of Christ. We can receive Eucharist in church and then go out and Eucharist every person with whom we come in contract.

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 weeks readings.

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

 

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

 

SECOND DAY                                   READ ACTS 1:1-11

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Personal – How are you preparing for Jesus’ return?

 

 

 

THIRD DAY                               READ EPHESIANS 1:17-23                SECOND READING

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

9. There is one what? Ephesians 4:4

 

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

 

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

 

 

FOURTH DAY                           READ MATTHEW 28:16-20                                     GOSPEL

(“Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.”)

1. Who went to Galilee and for what reason did they go there? Matthew 28:16

 

2. Who told the disciples where to find Jesus? Matthew 28:1, 7 & 10

 

Personal – How do you see women’s role in God’s plan of salvation according to the above question?

 

3. When the disciples saw Jesus what did those who had entertained doubts do? Matthew 28:17

 

4. What did Jesus tell Thomas? John 20:29

 

5. What did Jesus tell His disciples has been given to Him both in heaven and on earth? Matthew 28:18

 

6. What did Jesus tell His disciples to make? Matthew 28:19

 

7. Who did Jesus say are His disciples? John 8:31

 

8. In whose name were the disciples to baptize? Matthew 28:19

 

9. What were the disciples to teach? Matthew 28:20

 

10. Which disciple did Jesus say He would build His Church and entrust to him the keys to the kingdom of heaven? Matthew 16:16-19

 

11. What did Jesus say He would do and for how long? Matthew 28:20

 

Personal – To whom have you been called to teach what you have learned from God’s Word? Under whose authority have you been in doing this?

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY                      READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ACTS 1:1-11

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

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

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

 

EPHESIANS 1:17-23

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

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

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

 

 

MATTHEW 28:16-20

This feast is a time of joy, a time of consolation, and of course, a time of hope for anyone who is a true believer.

We celebrate the feast day on the strength of His promise to always be with us and the power of His commission to evangelize. We know that earthly death awaits everyone of us, but because of His promise, we also know that it is not the end of us, but rather the beginning. Today’s feast is the reminder of this consoling fact..

I invite you to picture the eleven disciples going to the mountain in Galilee as Jesus had directed them through the women at the tomb (Matthew 28:10). When they saw Him many fell on their knees and worshiped Him, even those who had some doubts. His last words and appearance on earth still ring out with authority and power. He told them that all authority on heaven and earth had been given to Him. He  gave them access to that power when He entrusted to Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven and the leadership of His Church on earth (Matthew 16:16-19). This authority has been passed down from Peter to the succession of Popes in the Church.

Today, the Church teaches us with that same authority and power to go forth and make disciples of all nations. Jesus told them to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He closes by telling His disciples that He would be with them always. He is telling us that same message today, we are to go out and make disciples of all nations and that He would be with us for all ages. Go forth now and do the right thing.

 

 

Application

The first reading tells us as the Apostles were looking on, Jesus was lifted up and you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. In the second reading God seated Jesus at His right hand in the heavens and gave Him as head over all things to the Church, and in the Gospel we are all commissioned to make disciples of everyone starting with our own families.

This week let us go to someone in our family, our community or our parish, to pray with them and  proclaim the Good News to them. You might want to ask your pastor how you can help him fulfill the great commission and make disciples of all his parishioners.

 

THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

by Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

8. 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

9. 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

 

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

 

12. 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

 

13. 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

 

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

 

3. 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

 

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

 

5. 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

 

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

 

7. 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

 

8. 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.

 

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

 

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

 

11. 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

 

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

 

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

 

14. 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

 

15. 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

 

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

 

17. 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?

 

18. 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

 

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

 

20. 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

24. 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

 

25. 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

33. 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.

THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY             READ SIRACH 15:15-20        FIRST READING

(“To whatever you choose stretch forth your hand.”)

1. Fill in the following blanks: _____you_________you can keep the commandments; it     is________to do_____ ______.   Sirach 15:15

 

2. What is set before you __________, and what must you stretch forth?   Sirach 15:16

 

3. What is before man, and what will be given him? Sirach 15:17

 

4. What three things must we do to choose life? Deuteronomy 30:20

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

5. What happens to those who choose life? Deuteronomy 30:19-20

 

6. Who shows us the way we must choose? Psalm 25:12

 

7. What is immense, and in what is the Lord mighty? Sirach 15:18

 

8. What do the eyes of God see and what does he understand?      Sirach 15:19

 

9. What does God command man NOT to do, and what specific sin does Sirach 15:20 tell you, for which God does not give you strength?

 

Personal – Do you ever feel you do not have a choice in certain matters? Read Sirach 15:14-15. Have you ever lied and blamed it on your background or someone else or even said, “The devil made me do it?” Meditate on this passage of scripture and confess any past sins of lying.

 

 

THIRD DAY          READ 1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-10     SECOND READING

(“Yet God has revealed this Wisdom to us through the Spirit.”)

1. What is it that is expressed among the spiritually mature? 1 Corinthians 2:6

 

2. Is it a wisdom of this age? 1 Corinthians 2:6

 

3. Who are passing away? 1 Corinthians 2:6

 

4. What is it we utter? 1 Corinthians 2:7

 

5. To whom has he revealed this wisdom?

Psalm 19:8

Luke 7:35

James 1:5

 

6. Why did God plan his wisdom before all ages? 1 Cor. 2:7

 

7. Did the rulers of this age know the mystery? 1 Cor. 2:8

 

8. What would they not have done if they had known God’s wisdom?   1 Corinthians 2:8

 

9. What is written of this wisdom? 1 Corinthians 2:9

 

10. Through whom has God revealed this wisdom? 1 Cor. 2:10

 

11. What does the Spirit do? 1 Corinthians 2:10

 

Personal – How do you anticipate the exciting things God has planned for you each day? How do you show your love for God, other than sitting alone with him and talking to him?

 

 

FOURTH DAY             READ MATTHEW 5:17-37               GOSPEL

(“Whoever fulfills and teaches these commands  shall be great in the kingdom of God.”)

1. What did Jesus say he did not come to do, and what did he say he came to do?   Matthew 5:17

 

2. How did he fulfill the law, and of what did he assure them?      Romans 3:21-31, Matthew 5:18

 

3. What will the person who breaks these commands, and teaches others to do so, be called in the kingdom of God? What will the person who fulfills these commands and teaches these commands be in the kingdom of God?   Matthew 5:19

 

Personal– What makes you to be considered great in the kingdom of God? In what way do others see you walking by faith? How are you teaching your spouse, children, friends, and family, etc., to walk by faith?

 

4. What must surpass the scribes and Pharisees, and what will happen to those whose holiness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees?   Matthew 5:20

 

5. What was the commandment imposed on our forefathers? Matthew 5:21

 

6. What three things does Jesus say to us in Matthew 5:22; and by becoming angry, by using abusive language, and by being contemptuous toward our brother, what do we risk? Matthew 5:22

 

7. If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has something against you, what must you do? Matthew 5:24

 

8. What does Jesus say about time, what will your opponent do if you lose time in going to him, and what is Jesus’ warning?      Matthew 5:25-26

 

Personal– Have you ever been angry, used abusive language, and been contemptuous to those in your family? Did you settle the matter right away or did you let it continue for days? You have the choice; think about it.

 

9. What commandment is he talking about in Matthew 5:27, and what does Jesus say about it?   Matthew 5:28

 

10. What must we throw away in order not to destroy the whole body?   Matthew 5:29-30

 

11. What does Jesus say about divorce, and what was the commandment imposed on our forefathers?   Matthew 5:31-33

 

12. What did Jesus say about this, and what are heaven, earth, and Jerusalem?   Matthew 5:34-35

 

13. By what else must we not swear? Matthew 5:36

 

14. What should we say when we mean yes and what should we say when we mean no. Whom does it come from when we say anything beyond that?   Matthew 5:37

 

Personal– We know when we should say yes and when we should say no by God’s Holy Word. The answers on how to live your life are all written in his Word, the Bible. How much time do you spend each day praying and reading God’s Word? Pray and ask God to reveal his truth to you through the Bible.

 

 

FIFTH DAY      READ PSALM 119:1-2,4-5,17-18,33-34

(“Give me discernment that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34.

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY          READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

SIRACH 15:15-20

Sirach is one of the Wisdom books of the Old Testament. It is a very earthy and plain book that deals with morality and the true religious philosophy of life. The practical­ity of this book has much wisdom even for the people of today. The gift of free will comes from God and it is a precious gift. We know that we can serve God by keeping his commandments, or to reject his authority and, in turn, reject him.

God loves us so much that he will not take away that gift of free will from us; because, if he did, we would be like the dumb beasts in the jungle. Today’s message is telling us that we can keep God’s commandments, and we know that because he tells us he will always be there (John 15:7). We can choose evil but we cannot say we could not help ourselves because we would be trying to say that we did not have a choice. We may fool our friends, family, or even society with this false line of defense; but our all-wise, all-loving, and all-knowing God cannot be deceived.

We are compelled to always remember that our God is a God of love, and our religion is a religion of love, not fear. We do good things because we choose not to offend our beloved God who loves us even when we make bad choices. Love is a decision and when we do not have a choice to decide, it is no longer love that motivates us.

Christians are motivated by the knowledge that God has chosen to love us first, and that he never stops loving us. We may favorably reflect on this incredible kind of benevolent love that he has for us and choose to respond to his love with our “yes” to his Holy Word. You may have some terrible pages in your book of life, but you have the option to choose and to tear these pages out by coming back to God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We choose to come back into the safe and loving arms of a forgiving Father, called “Abba,” when we turn to him and ask for his pardon.

 

 

1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-10

Paul was very emphatic that the Christian faith that the converted Corinthians had received was a gift from God. He stressed that they were converted from paganism not by any great skill of preaching or earthy philosophy, but by God. The mental outlook of the majority of today’s society is very similar to that of St. Paul’s time. Today, much is made of the earthly wisdom of our secular and religious leaders.

The philosophy of today is not centered on the cross of Calvary; on the contrary, it is concen­trated on the centers of learning and trade. The big business tycoons of today are modern counterparts of the Roman slave-drivers. Today, in many parts of the world, the destiny of the poor is in the hands of those who are very wealthy. The things of God are openly denied and ridiculed. The power of money and guns seems to drown out the cry of the poor. Jesus called out to us and said, “What you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.” (Matthew 25:31-46)

We see the desire of choice becoming a choice of death for the unwanted unborn of our land. We have become so advanced in our technology that segregation and suppression of our weaker brothers and sisters are lost in the frenzy to have more of everything. This is a direct result of our ignoring the only true wisdom of life. God’s wisdom has been revealed in his incarnation; the modern man still thinks that his true happiness is centered here on earth. Man thinks that because he only has a few years here on earth, he has to go for the “gusto.” We can only be brought back to reality by a return to recognizing God’s plan for us.

The time we have here on earth is our journey to heaven. The more we reach out and help our fellow-travelers on this journey, the smoother will be our own trip. We must keep our path marked out by our heavenly Father, and we must practice broth­erly love along the way. The majesty of what God has in store for those who love him is beyond our wildest dreams.

 

 

MATTHEW 5:17-37

Christ is not calling for the removal of the Ten Commandments. He is telling his followers that their attitude must be righteous and more spiritual than that of the scribes and Pharisees. The moral value of any legal observance comes from the inferiority of the attitudes of those who observe and keep the law. Our compli­ance with the law does not honor God alone. Our attitude of love, reverence, and obedience to do his will is what honors God. This is the core of the law of Christianity. The old law of Moses is not abolished; it is deepened and given new meaning. To avoid murdering someone, or even injuring someone, is not enough; rather, we are called to help and prevent injury to anyone who is in distress wherever and whenever we can. To be someone who doesn’t commit adultery is not enough; we are called as Christians to respect and esteem purity. This includes not only purity in actions but also purity in thoughts.

Today, we hear a variety of ways to prevent infectious diseases, such as gonor­rhea, syphilis, or AIDS. Why do we hear so little of purity, chastity, and Christian morality? We must be truthful people, not only to ourselves, but first to God (John 8:32). God’s laws were given to help people love God with all their hearts and minds (Deuteronomy 6:5). God’s law is a law of love, and love is a decision that begins with the mind. By Jesus’ time the religious leaders turned the law into a confusing mass of rules. Jesus spoke out against the abuses and excesses to which the law had been subjected. The Pharisees were content to obey the law outwardly and would not allow it to change their hearts. Jesus was saying that the quality of our hearts had to be greater than that of the Pharisees.

Today, we only have to look around to see the outward forms of piety being practiced, such as going to Mass, reciting the daily devotions, and seeing clergy praying the Office. This kind of obedience, while it is good, is not enough if there is no “metonoia” (a change of heart). Do people see us as the fruit of the Spirit because we keep the laws of God? If not, why not? We need to really listen as Jesus talks to us in this passage. He says that we will be held accountable for everything we do, everything we do not do, and every one of our thoughts.

Jesus is our source and our supply when we are being attacked by wrongful thoughts (Philippians 4:19). We can strike back against Satan by filling our minds with thoughts that are pure, good, and honorable (Philippians 4:8). Jesus tells us to be truthful and speak with veracity, and our need for promises and oaths will be reduced tremendously.

 

 

Application

The first reading tells us that we have a “free will” and that we can make a choice. The second reading tells us that this gift of a “free will” is available to everyone. The gift of faith is open to all men, rich or poor, schooled or unschooled, sick or healthy. The Gospel tells us that the spirit or the intent of the law is what gives it power and success. A change of heart is what makes a law a proven value.

This week, let us show by our actions that a change of heart is taking place inside of us! Parents, this week, do not allow in your home any diversion, such as TV or video, that Jesus could not sit and watch, too. Children, do not talk or listen to any conversations in school or at work that Jesus could not listen to or talk about. All Adults – let whatever comes out of your mouth be words that will change other people’s thoughts to thinking about Jesus Christ.

 

THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY              READ ISAIAH 58:7‑10         FIRST READING

(“Then light shall rise for you in the darkness.”)

1. With whom do we share our bread, and how do we help the homeless?   Isaiah 58:7

 

2. Whom do we clothe when we see them and on whom are we not to turn our back?   Isaiah 58:7

 

 

Personal‑ In your enthusiasm to obey God and feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc., have you ever neglected those in your home, your spouse, your children, your relatives, your close friends, your neighbors or those with whom you work? Reread verse 7 again.

 

 

3. What shall happen to us if we do these things? Isaiah 58:8, Ezekiel 18:7, 9

 

4. What shall happen to our wound, and what shall go before us?      Isaiah 58:8

 

5. What shall be our rear guard and what will happen when we call the Lord?   Isaiah 58:8-9

 

6. When we cry for help, what will he say? Isaiah 58:9

 

7. What three things must we remove from our midst? Isaiah 58:9

 

8. What does God’s Word tell us about the following?

OPPRESSION               MALICIOUS SPEECH            ACCUSATIONS

Psalm 119:134             Proverbs 2:12             Prov. 10:18

Proverbs 21:7             Proverbs 4:24             Mark 15:3-5

Ecclesiastes 7:7           Sirach 27:6

Sirach 10:7              Matthew 22:15

Isaiah 33:15‑16           John 8:43‑44

Ezekiel 45:9

 

9. If we bestow our bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted, what will rise for us in the darkness, and what will happen to the gloom?   Isaiah 58:10

 

10. How do we satisfy the afflicted? Luke 9:1‑6

 

Personal‑ How have you removed oppression, false accusations, and malicious speech from your midst? In what way have you fed the hungry, given shelter to the homeless, or clothed the naked this past week? How have you been able to do this without neglecting your family?

 

 

THIRD DAY       READ 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1‑5           SECOND READING

(“Your faith rest not on the wisdom of men  but on the power of God.”)

1. Who was speaking and to whom was he speaking in 1 Cor. 2:1? 1 Corinthians 1:1

 

2. What did he come proclaiming? 1 Corinthians 2:1

 

3. What was God’s testimony? 1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 John 5:6‑12

 

4. Did Paul speak of anything else besides Jesus crucified? 1 Corinthians 2:2

 

5. How did Paul come among them? 1 Corinthians 2:3

 

6. Who helps us in our weakness? Romans 8:26

 

Personal‑ Have you ever experienced this weakness and fear that Paul did among people? Have you ever experienced this in your own home, around your relatives, friends, etc.? Spend an extra five minutes a day, this week, alone with the Lord dwelling on the presence of his Holy Spirit within you.

 

7. What did the Lord tell Paul about his weakness? 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

8. Compare weakness with the power of God using Paul’s statements in 2 Corinthians 13:3‑9.

 

9. What two things have none of the persuasive force of “wise” argumentation, but had the convincing power of the Spirit? 1 Corinthians 2:4

 

10. God sends messages to us in many ways. Read the following and see if you can pick out who was being used as a messenger.

Genesis 16:7‑12

Genesis 21:17

Malachi 2:7

Matthew 11:10, 11

Acts 10:3

 

Personal‑ Have you been able to recognize God’s messages to you? Meditate on the way God speaks to you directly and through others and whether or not you are really listening. Share with someone.

 

 

 

FOURTH DAY             READ MATTHEW 5:13‑16               GOSPEL

(“You are the light of the world.”)

1. Who is the salt of the earth? What do you do with salt if it goes flat, and can you restore its flavor?  Matt 5:13; Luke      14:34‑35

 

2. Read the following and tell how salt was used.

Leviticus 2:13

Mark 9:49‑50

Colossians 4:6

 

 

Personal‑ The partaking in common of salt by those seated together at table was an ancient symbol of friendship and alliance. When you are seated at your table and pass the salt, is it always in friendship or is your salt beginning to go flat in your home or at your table? Is the seasoning coming from you that of love and friendship? Reflect on this. Ask the Lord to season you with his love.

 

 

3. Who is the light of the world, and what cannot be hidden? Matthew 5:14

 

4. What do we NOT do with a lamp we light, and what do we DO with it?   Matthew 5:15

 

5. In what way must our light shine before men, and what will they see in us? Matthew 5:16

 

6. What did Jesus say about being good, and whom do we praise for his goodness?  Luke 18:19, Tobit 13:10

 

7. Who is good? Psalm 25:8

 

8. Where does a man produce good? Matt 12:34-35, Luke 6:45

 

9. With what are we to be filled? Romans 15:14

 

10. What will people do when they see goodness in the acts,we perform?   Matthew 5:16

 

11. What does God’s Word say about giving praise to our Father, and who were the people involved?

Exodus 15:1, 2            Mark 2:12

2 Samuel 22:50, 51          Luke 4:14‑15

Ezra 10:10, 11                               Acts 3:9

Daniel 2:19, 23           Acts 13:46‑48

Daniel 4:34              Hebrews 13:12‑15

Matthew 11:25             Rev 4:8‑11

 

Personal‑ How do you take the time each day to praise God for what he is doing in your life? Take time to praise him for giving you a new life in him, for his promises to you in his word, for your faith, for direction and guidance. Praise him for his goodness that is becoming visible to others in your actions as you yield to his Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

FIFTH DAY              READ PSALM 112:4‑9

(“The Lord dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 112:4‑9.

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY          READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ISAIAH 58:7‑10

Faith is a living response to the presence and power of God in our lives. Faith without good works is dead and useless (James 2:17). We are being told in today’s reading that we cannot be saved by works, no matter how good they may be, without faith in God. We are also told that fasting can be very benefi­cial, both physically and spiritually, but at best the only one who benefits is you. Our response to the presence of God in our lives is what produces really effective good works. Our response to the presence of God and his power affects others, and that is what God wants from us. He wants us to make a difference in the lives of the hungry, the oppressed, the homeless, and to protect the lives of the unborn.

We do not do good things to become good; we do good things because of the goodness that is within all men of faith. That goodness is the presence and power of God, whom we know as the Holy Spirit. Our response in faith unleashes the power of God to heal a sick and wounded world. Pleasing God is not done by what we eat or do not eat; rather it is by bringing charity, justice, and generosity to the downtrodden.

We glorify God most when we can help his broken, bruised, abandoned, hungry, homeless, and aborted children into healthy loved human beings. Faith is our response to God’s presence and power in our own life, and we find this revealed to us in his Holy Word and the teachings of his beloved church. He is the water that prevents men from dying of thirst.

 

 

1 CORINTHIANS 2:1‑5

It is very important that we realize that Paul, was a brilliant scholar. He once used his verbal skills very well in convicting many Christians of being heretics. Paul explains very clearly in today’s reading that he speaks only of the crucified Christ. We can do today what Paul was doing then, and that is keeping our Gospel message simple and basic. Our power is in the Holy Spirit, not in any gift of public speaking.

Paul is saying that while study and preparation for proclaiming God’s Word are necessary, prepara­tion must be tied into and be dependent on the Holy Spirit. Paul’s own background of scripture study and preparation for preaching allowed him to lean entirely on God and still be responsive to the needs of the believers. Paul goes to great lengths to tell us that his preaching is very plain, and that Jesus is much more comfortable in the house of a plain and simple person than living in luxury with one who is proclaiming God’s law and exact­ing its complete obedience from the people. We need to reflect on how we come across to other people when we are professing our faith. Do people see in us a weakness and trembling that is overcome because of our own personal love of Jesus? Jesus tells us that his grace is enough for us; we do not have to worry about our credentials.

God calls us to be faithful, not successful. People who are hurting will respond to a message of hope, love, and forgiveness that is immersed in the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. We are God’s messengers today, and we are called to respond to him. Today’s reading clearly tells us that we do not have to depend on our talents to proclaim the Gospel message. What we do need is to proclaim that Jesus is Lord and, like Paul, preach only the crucified Christ. Repentance is still man’s best bet to live an abundant life (John 10:10).

 

MATTHEW 5:13‑16

Matthew is so down to earth in this particular writing. Most of us have experienced, at one time or another, the addition of salt on a delicious salad or even on a sizzling piece of meat. Paul shows us that, like salt, Christians are called to be of a special flavor. Old salt that loses its flavor is thrown out. Salt is not called to blend in, but to be distinctive in flavor. As Christians, we are not called to blend into the rest of the world; we are called to be distinctively different.

We are worthless if people cannot see a difference in the way we live our lives. Seasoning is made to bring out the best in foods, and Christians are called to bring out the best in people. We need only to picture a great city on a hill where we can see the lights ahead for many miles. When we are living by faith and not by sight, our lives glow like tremendous lights to others. That light that is shining in a Christian is the light of Jesus Christ. That is the light that led men out of the darkness of sin.

We are the only ones who can dim that light, and many of us do it by being quiet when we should speak out, as in the abortion issue. Another way is going along with the crowd. Then there is sin that dims our light tremendously. Many of us let our light grow dim because we do not share our light with others. We are called by our very faith in God, to be a beacon of truth and to let our light shine forth in this darkened world of pain and sin.

Jesus tells us to be a favorable difference in our community and to let his Light shine in us. He is the light that guides the prostitute, the alcoholic, the drug addict, the adulterer, the thief, the liar, and all those who stagger around in the darkness of despair, out of the darkness. He welcomes and leads them back home to his church of love and forgiveness.

 

Application

In the first reading we see that faith is the living response to the power and presence of God in our lives. The second reading shows us that salvation is available to all, even the most ordinary of men. The Gospel calls us to be a light that leads people out of the darkness of sin.

This week, let us respond to God’s call and be a light to our family and friends by showing them the way to Jesus! Try to attend daily Mass and read scripture every day this week. Spend a certain amount of time each day in prayer. Spend some time with each family member and try to do something positive for him/her. You can be the flavor and light if you just respond to God’s power within you.

THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY             READ ISAIAH 60:1-6         FIRST READING

(“But upon you the Lord shines.”)

1. To what are the Israelites being called, whose light has come, and what shines upon the Israelites?   Isaiah 60:1

 

2. How did the glory of the Lord appear in the following scriptures?

Exodus 16:7, 10

Exodus 24:16, 17

Leviticus 9:6, 23, 24

Ezekiel 3:12-13

Luke 2:9

 

Personal – In your life, in what way has “the glory of the Lord” appeared to you?

 

 

3. What covers the earth and the unbelievers? Isaiah 60:2

 

4. Upon whom does the Lord shine, and what appears over them? Isaiah 60:2

 

5. Fill in the blank: Nations shall walk by your _____________ and kings by your shining radiance.   Isaiah 60:3

 

6. Who is the light? John 8:12

 

7. Why must we raise our eyes, and who comes to the light? Isaiah 60:4

 

8. Who shall be radiant, whose heart shall overflow, and what will happen to the sea and the nations? Isaiah 60:5

 

9. What will the camels do, and from where will they come? Isaiah 60:6

 

10. What shall they bear, and what will they be proclaiming? Isaiah 60:6

 

 

Personal – In what way is the light of Christ shining through you in your family, your work, and your environment? Are people drawn to you because they see that light within you?

 

 

THIRD DAY           READ EPHESIANS 3:2-3, 5-6      SECOND READING

(“In Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now co-heirs with the Jews.”)

1. Who heard of the ministry which God gave Paul, and for whose regard?  Ephesians 3:2, Ephesians 2:11

 

2. What was revealed? Ephesians 3:3

 

3. What was unknown to men in former ages? Ephesians 3:4-5

 

4. Who has revealed this mystery, and to whom was this mystery revealed?   Ephesians 3:5

 

5. Read the following scriptures: John 14:26, Acts 11:12, 1 Corinthians 2:13

 

Personal – Do you listen each day for the Holy Spirit’s instruc­tions for you? What has he taught you as you have been reading his word? Remember to pray before you read God’s word, asking the Holy Spirit to teach you and give you wisdom, knowledge, and obedience to follow his plan for your life.

 

6. Who were some of the holy apostles and prophets, and by whom were they sent?Isaiah 1:1, Jeremiah 1:1, John 1:35-50,      Romans 1:1

 

7. What is the mystery revealed? Ephesians 3:6-8

 

8. How do the Gentiles and the Jews become co-heirs? Ephesians 3:6

 

9. Whom has God commissioned to preach the Gospel? Ephesians      3:6 Matthew 28:18-20

 

Personal – In what way have you ever felt called to teach or share God’s Word with others? A good beginning is to share with your spouse, children or a close friend how the Lord has touched you in his Word or from the homily on Sunday.

 

 

FOURTH DAY             READ MATTHEW 2:1-12               GOSPEL

(“They prostrated themselves and did him homage.”)

1. Where was Jesus born, who was king at that time, and who arrived from the east?   Matthew 2:1

 

2. Read the following scriptures: Daniel 2:27 and Daniel 4:4. According to these verses, are those who read the stars able to know God’s plan for their lives?

 

3. Who is the only sign we follow? Isaiah 7:14 Luke 11:30

 

4. For whom were the astrologers searching, and what did they observe?   Matthew 2:2

 

5. How did King Herod react, and who reacted along with him?      Matthew 2:3

 

6. Whom did King Herod summon, and what did he inquire of them? Matthew 2:4

 

7. What did the chief priest and scribes tell Herod, and to what prophet were they referring?  Matthew 2:5, Micah 1:1   5:1

 

8. What is the ruler to do? Matthew 2:6

 

9. Read the following and write out your favorite verse: John 10:11, John 10:14, John 10:16, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:3-4, Revelation 7:17

______________________________________________________________­____________________________________________________________

 

Personal – Share the scripture you chose and tell how it has affected your life.

 

10. What did King Herod find out from the astrologers? Matthew 2:7

 

11. Where did he send them, and what were his instructions to them?   Matthew 2:8

 

12. What was the astrologer’s reaction to the star as they followed it?   Matthew 2:10

 

Personal – Have you had any insight to God’s light in his Word? What is your reaction to this?

 

13. When the astrologers found the child with his mother, Mary, what did they do? Is this in fulfillment of the Old    Testament prophesy?  Matthew 2:11, Isaiah 60:5-6

 

Personal – Have you bowed before the Lord? How have you prostrated yourself in homage before our Holy God? In his presence in the Eucharist, have you knelt to do him homage, or do you do it just out of habit? Reflect on this.

 

 

FIFTH DAY              READ PSALM 72:1-13

(“For he shall rescue the poor man when he cries out.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 72:1-13.

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

 

How can you apply this to your daily spiritual life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY            READ ALL THE COMMENTARY

ISAIAH 60:1-6

This week’s reading from Isaiah comes from a section sometimes called Third Isaiah (Chapters 55-66), and is generally considered to be written by an unknown poet. The time of this passage is about 535 B.C. and it prophesies the role of the temple and offers to open its doors to all other nations. The invitation was given to the whole world to join the ranks of Israel as the Lord’s chosen people.

Isaiah is calling on the people to rise up in the splendor and radiance of the Lord (verse 1). He tells them that the glory of the Lord shines in them and through them (verse 3). He urges them to be confident in that love and they will become leaders of all nations and many from all nations will be drawn to them (verses 4-5).

Today we are being called to rise up and become symbols of light and hope. We are called to be a light to a world that is covered with much darkness. We can be a light to the world only as long as we walk in the light of Christ. Each one of us is called by the Psalmist (Psalm 119:105) to be a light unto each other’s path. We are being called today, as in the time of Isaiah, to let the glory of God’s light shine through all of us.

 

EPHESIANS 3:2-3,5-6

Paul wrote this letter while in prison awaiting trial before Nero. He reflects on his mission to the Gentiles (those who do not believe in the Jewish faith), and he speaks about his own conver­sion as being a great mystery of Christ.

Paul was on a journey to Damascus to persecute disciples of the Lord when suddenly a light flashed around him that seemed to come from heaven. He was challenged by the Lord to stop persecut­ing him and to come follow him. Paul did and his whole life changed. He uses that conversion experience to bring others to the Lord (Acts 9:3-9). He claimed his place as an apostle because he was an eyewitness to the Lord during his “metanoia” or conversion experience.

Paul gained a deeper understanding of God’s plan of salva­tion through Christ. He reveals to us in this letter that into his life had come the great secret of God. That secret was that the love and mercy and grace of God were meant not for the Jews alone, but for all mankind. When Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus there was a sudden flash of revelation that affected his whole life. That “metanoia” is open to all of us, and we are being called to bring to the world that same message. It was to the Gentiles that God sent Paul, to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness to light. We hear Paul stating very boldly that God’s love and mercy are given to all, Jews and Gentiles alike.

 

MATTHEW 2:1-12

We celebrate the feast of Epiphany, which means the visita­tion of the seekers or as they are often called, the Magi, and Christ’s manifestation of his glory to them. It was in Bethlehem, a little town six miles south of Jerusalem, that Jesus was born.

The name Bethlehem means “house of bread,” and the manger in which Jesus slept was used to feed the animals. It is significant that Jesus was born in a place called “house of bread,” as he chose to feed us with his Word and in his presence in the Euchar­ist. He calls himself “Living Bread,” in John 6:35-66, and we share his living bread in our liturgies in accordance with scripture (Luke 22:14-20), in churches throughout the world.

Bethlehem was where Jacob buried Rachel (Genesis 48:7) and it was there that Ruth married Boaz (Ruth 4:13). This city was the home of David (1 Sam. 16:1, 17:12, 20:6) and it was in Bethlehem that the Jews expected God’s Anointed One to come into the world (Micah 5:1-2). When Jesus was born, there came to Beth­lehem seekers from the east to do him homage. The Magi were holy and wise men and were skilled in philosophy, medicine, natural sciences, soothsaying, and interpretation of dreams. Many later became members of a tribe of pagan priests in Persia and functioned much like the Levite priests in Israel.

About the same time that Jesus was born, the Roman poet, Virgil, was praising through his writings and poems the “savior of the world,” the emperor, Augustus Caesar of Rome. So it was to a waiting world that Jesus came and the astrologers from lands far away gathered at his cradle. It was the first sign and symbol of the world’s conquest by Jesus Christ.

Today many of the learned men and women are coming to praise the King of Kings, Jesus; but many are not. What about you? Is Jesus your King and are you bringing him your presence as a gift? We need to reflect on the gift given to all who believe in the Christ Child of Bethlehem. The gift is being co-heirs of his kingdom, members of the one body and sharers of the promise. Have we made someone feel like an unwanted stranger? Have we dared label anyone a foreigner, alien, outsider, or pagan? Have we welcomed all to our “manger scene?” Is the light in our hearts drawing others to him, as the star did in Bethlehem? The manifestation of the star’s brilliance spoke to the Magi of the entry of a King into the world. The glory of God’s love for all is called to be manifested in us through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the saving name of Jesus Christ.

 

Application

Isaiah urges us to look at the glory of God being unfolded before us, and calls upon the people to rise up from the shackles of captivity. In Ephesians Paul describes God’s secret plan, and in Matthew we see the wise men overjoyed at the results of following the star.

This week, like the wise men or Magi, let us bring Jesus our gift. Yours might be a gift of joy or love, peace or patience, etc. Then you need to share this gift with someone in your family or work place. The wise men came in humility and left encouraged and full of hope. We can expect no less, when we bring Jesus our gift.

THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY            READ NUMBERS 6:22-27        FIRST READING

(“The Lord bless you and keep you!”)

1. To whom was the Lord speaking, and to whom did he tell him to speak?   Numbers 6:22-23

 

2. Who was Aaron, and what did the Lord say to Moses about him? Exodus 4:14-16

 

3. About what was Moses to speak to them? Numbers 6:23

 

4. What six things were included in the blessing? Numbers 6:24-26

 

5. Who will be blessed? Proverbs 28:20

 

6. What brings wealth? Proverbs 10:22

 

7. Who was blessed by the Lord, what did he do for her, and what was her response?   Luke 1:46-55

 

8. What has the Lord given us? Psalm 118:27

 

9. Who did Jesus say he was? John 8:12

 

10. What shall be invoked upon the Israelites, and what will the Lord do?   Numbers 6:27

 

Personal – In what way have you blessed a family member or a friend? What do others see shining forth from your face?

 

 

THIRD DAY             READ GALATIANS 4:4-7        SECOND READING

(“…God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, `Abba, Father!'”)

1. Under what was God’s Son born? Galatians 4:4

 

2. What did God’s Son do? Galatians 4:5

 

3. What happens to everyone who believes in Jesus? John 3:16

 

4. Who did the law come through, and what did Jesus bring? John 1:17

 

5. Who are the children of God, and who bears witness that we are?   Romans 8:14-16

 

6. What proof do we have that we are his children? Galatians 4:6

 

7. To whom did he give the power to become children of God? John 1:12-13

 

8. Why are the children of God not known to the world? 1 John 3:1

 

9. What are we no longer, and what has he made us? Galatians 4:7

 

10. With whom are the children of God joint heirs? Romans 8:17

 

Personal – In what way have you cried out to “Abba,” Daddy, this week? What have you inherited from God? What are your parents leaving you as an inheritance, or what are you leaving your children as an inheritance?

 

 

FOURTH DAY              READ LUKE 2:16-21                GOSPEL

(“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”)

1. When the shepherds went off in haste, who did they find? Luke 2:16
2. Why did Mary lay her firstborn Son in a manger? Luke 2:7

3. What did the shepherds do when they saw the child? Luke 2:17

 

4. What was the reaction of those who were told the message? Luke 2:18

 

5. What amazed or astonished the people listening to Jesus? Matthew 7:28-29

 

Personal – What have you seen and made known to others since you have been studying God’s Word?

 

6. What did Mary do? Luke 2:19

 

7. What did Mary do when Jesus became lost and then told her he was about his Father’s business?   Luke 2:49-51

 

Personal – What have you personally pondered in your heart that God revealed to you, and how have you followed Mary’s example?

 

 

8. How did the shepherds return? Luke 2:20

 

9. What was the reaction of the paralytic and the people upon the healing?   Luke 5:25-26

 

10. What happened on the eighth day, and to whom had the name been given?  Luke 2:21, Luke 1:31

 

11. What has his name done for us? Acts 4:12

 

12. To what is the name Jesus inherited far superior? Hebrews 1:3-4

 

Personal – What name has been given to you, and of what is it a reflection?

 

 

FIFTH DAY             READ PSALM 67:2-6, 8

(“…may he let his face shine upon us.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 67:2-6, 8.

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

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY          READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

NUMBERS 6:22-27

When Mary said, “Generation after generation shall call me blessed of God,” she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her (Luke 1:48). If Mary had denied her incredible position, she would have been throwing God’s blessing back at him.

In today’s reading we are being shown that a blessing was one way of asking God’s divine favor to rest upon others. All of God’s blessings had their fulfillment in the coming of Christ on earth. Mary received the fullness of these promises and blessings when she said, “Be it done unto me according to thy Word.” At that very moment she conceived Jesus Christ in her womb. As proof of this blessing we have the angel Gabriel’s words as he salutes her as “full of grace.” She has the full friendship of God, and no man or woman had ever received the fullness of God’s blessing until then.

A blessing conveys that God will (1) bless and protect, (2) be pleased because of us, (3) be gracious, merciful, and compas­sionate to us, (4) show favor to us, and (5) give us peace. When we ask God to bless us and others, we are asking him to do these five things. We will have the full friendship of God as we ask him to bless others as well as ourselves.

Today, on this special feast, let us thank God for all the blessings that he has given Mary, the Mother of God. We have all profited through her blessings; and the title, Mother of God, that the church confirmed in her regard at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, demonstrates all this.

 

 

                        GALATIANS 4:4-7

In today’s reading Paul uses the example of slavery to show that before Christ came and died for our sins, people were in bondage to the law. By becoming enslaved to the law, people thought they could be saved. At just the right time, God sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins, and we who were once slaves are now God’s very own children with an intimate relationship with him. For centuries the Jews were wondering when their Messiah would come, but God’s timing was perfect.

We may sometimes wonder if God will ever respond to our prayers, but we must never stop trusting or give up hope. At the right time, he will respond to us. Jesus was born of a woman and was subject to God’s law and fulfilled it. His death brought freedom for us who were enslaved to sin so we could be adopted into God’s family. Under the Roman law, an adopted child was guaranteed all legal rights to his father’s property. As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God’s resour­ces.

As God’s heirs, we can claim what he has provided for us; which is our full identity as his children. The Old Testament was based on the law, but was only a shadow of things to come. Chris­tianity is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Chris­tianity is the reality, and the reality is God has become man, and man is now free and has been adopted into God’s family as rightful heirs to the kingdom.

 

LUKE 2:16-21

What a tremendous sign of comfort and hope it is when we read that the first visitors to lay eyes on the long-awaited Messiah were simple, hard-working, uneducated, common folks called shepherds. Even in birth Jesus has shown us the ultimate in humility, and his choice of those who were part of his birth experience were of humble origins themselves.

Can you imagine the thoughts that flowed through Mary’s head as she observed the shepherds coming to pay homage to her Son? She certainly was aware of the power and beauty of the angels singing praises of glory to God to their new born king. The Jewish custom was when a new child was born the local musicians would come by and sing some congratulatory songs. Mary had, not earthly music­ians to sing to her son, but she had a choir of angels to fill the air with heavenly sounds.

 

On this very special day, we can honor Mary in her blessed role as Mother of God. God himself honored her by making her the mother of his Son. Jesus, in one of his last acts on this earth before dying on the cross, made his mother our mother. It was through no merit of her own that she earned this dignity. This honor was given as a sheer gift of God. When we honor her, we are in fact thanking God for his gift of her to us.

 

Application

The first reading explains that a blessing is God giving someone his protection and direction. The second reading tells how the Old Testament was a time of preparation, and the New Testament was a time of the reality of God entering into human history as a human being named Jesus. The Gospel reveals Jesus beginning his life on earth humbly, and in humility he went to his death on a cross for us.

This week, let the humility of the shepherds be your model of conduct during the Christmas holidays. Bring to your family, friends, and co-workers, the gift of listening, the gift of gentleness, and the gift of humility. Mary was a role model for the whole world, for both male and female.

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?

 

2. 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

10. 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

10. 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

7. 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

12. 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!

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

 

2. Who is the sprout? Luke 3:23‑33

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

11. 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5. 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?

 

6. 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?

 

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

 

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

 

9. 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

6. 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?

 

7. 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

11. 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.