Daily Reading for 11/15/12 - Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for November 14, 2012 - Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Family Bible Study - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Gospel Passage Mark 9:30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. 33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Questions “They did not understand what Jesus was saying and were afraid to ask Him.” What should you do if you don’t understand what Jesus is asking of you? Who should you go to? To be great in God’s eyes – which we should ALL WANT! – we have to be like Jesus and serve others. What can you do this week to help others and become greater in God’s eyes? Jesus loved children and wanted us to welcome them in His name. Children, especially babies, cannot give us back anything in return, so welcoming them is a pure act of love. Has anyone every welcomed you in this way? Have you ever welcomed anyone in this way? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Gospel Passage Mark 8:27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. Questions 1. A lot of people say that Jesus was just a good or famous man of God, like John the Baptist, Elijah or the other prophets. Who do you say that Jesus is? 2. Peter tried to stop Jesus from suffering, and Jesus said he was behaving like the devil, because at that moment Peter was trying to stop Jesus from fulfilling his mission, as the devil always tries to do. What is Jesus’ mission? How can we help him to accomplish it? 3. Jesus says that to be his good students, his followers, we need to do three things. What are they? (Hint: see verse 34). Do you try to do all three? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B July 8, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 6:1 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. Questions The people of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth did not believe in Him. He was sad and surprised that they did not believe. In your home would Jesus be proud of how much you believe in Him or sad because you don’t believe in Him enough? Jesus was a carpenter and went to work each day like most grownups do. He did His job the best He could. That means that if you do your work the best you can, God is happy. What kind of work do you want to do to please God when you grow up? What work do you do now? Can your work at home, school and CCD please God too? The Gospel story seems to say that Jesus had “brothers”, but the word “brother” here means “relatives” in Hebrew. The same word is used for brothers, cousins, and other relatives. Why do we know the Jesus didn’t have any true brothers or sisters? What do we know about Mary that makes this impossible? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B July 1, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 5:21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” 24 So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Questions: Jesus did two miracles in today’s Gospel. Can He and does He still do miracles today? Do you know about any miracles? The woman with the bleeding problem got a miracle by touching Jesus’ clothes. All of us do more than just touch His clothes when we receive Holy Communion. We get Jesus inside our own body. Is there anything He can’t do for us when we receive Him in Holy Communion? The people laughed at Jesus when He told them that the little girl was just sleeping. Have you ever met someone who tried to make fun of Jesus because they don’t understand Him? Have they ever made fun of you because they don’t understand Jesus like you do? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B June 24, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 4:35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Questions Even the wind and the sea listened and obeyed Jesus as we read in the Gospel today. Do you listen and obey Jesus and do what He asks you to do? How do you know what He is asking you to do? We can sometimes use “symbols” to mean something else. For example, the flag is a symbol for the United States. The church uses a boat as its symbol of the Church, which is like St. Peter’s boat where Jesus was sleeping or from where he sometimes. Taught. Do you think Jesus is always in the “boat” of the Church? Do we ever need to be afraid if Jesus is there? Sometimes when you are praying and worried, do you think that Jesus is asleep and not listening to your prayers? What do you think now after reading this Gospel story? Do you think He could be listening after all? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - June 17th, 2012 - 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B June 17, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 4:26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” 30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything. Questions 1. Jesus says that his kingdom is like a seed that he scatters and grows on its own. Does a seed have the power within to grow on its own or does one need to stay up all night to help it to grow? A seed also needs water and sun to grow. To what can you compare this water and sun in the spiritual life of faith? 2. Jesus says his kingdom, his church, is like a tiny seed that begins very small but then grows huge. Is that what happened in the early Church? Is that what can happen at St. Anthony’s 100 years ago? Is that what can happen again now? 3. What is a parable? Why do you think Jesus teaches in parables? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Corpus Christi, Year B

Corpus Christi, B June 10, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 14:12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Questions Today’s feast is called “Corpus Christi” which means the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. What then are we celebrating? (Hint: it begins with an “E”) Jesus says that His flesh (body) is true food and His blood is true drink. That means that when we eat Holy Communion we don’t eat bread or wine at all, because both have been totally changed into Jesus’ Body and Blood. So, is it wrong to call the Eucharist just “bread and wine”? Jesus says the same words at Mass that He said at the Last Supper! Do you know that every Mass you are really part of the Last Supper, Jesus’ death, and His return from death (resurrection)? If that’s true (and it is!!), could anything in this whole world be more important than Mass? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B

Gospel Passage Matt. 28:16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Questions This weekend is the Feast of the Holy Trinity. What do we mean when we say the Trinity? Who or what is the Trinity? (Be more specific than just saying “God.”) Is the Trinity three different Gods or three persons in one God? Jesus wants us to make everyone follow Him by helping them to be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity and teaching them to do everything He said. How have you been doing so far on this mission (the most important mission of your life!)? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 5th Sunday of Lent - Year B - March 25th, 2012

Fifth Sunday of Lent, B
March 25, 2012
Gospel Passage
John 12:20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some
Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him,
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and
Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son
of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the
earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25
Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep
it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will
my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27 “Now my soul is
troubled. And what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this
reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice
came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd
standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has
spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for
mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be
driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to
myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Questions
The Greeks said, “We wish to see Jesus!” If someone came up to you saying
that they wished to see Jesus, what would you tell them? What would you do?
Where could they find Jesus?
Jesus says that whoever serves Him must follow Him so that where He is, we
will be too. How do we serve Jesus? Where are we following Him?
Sometimes when plants die (like wheat), a seed drops and fruit can grow from
the seed. If you let something you do “die” (like stop fighting with your
family), what good “fruit” would come from that? What else could you let
“die” to make some good “fruit” grow?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Fourth Sunday of Lent

Fourth Sunday of Lent, B
March 18, 2012
Gospel Passage
John 3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son
of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in
him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son
into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved
through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not
believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the
only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world,
and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all
who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be
exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly
seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
Questions
God the Father loved the world so much that He let His only Son die so that
we could have eternal life. Could anyone else ever love you this much? Is
Jesus loves you this much, how much should you love him?
God sent His Son to save the world. Save the world from what? How do we
get saved?
Jesus said that He had to be lifted up, just like a serpent in the desert. When
the serpent was lifted up on a pole, all those who were dying because of
serpent bites were saved. When will Jesus be lifted up? How will He be lifted
up? Who will be saved by that?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Third Sunday of Lent

Third Sunday of Lent, B
March 11, 2012
Gospel Passage
John 2:13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In
the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers
seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the
temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money
changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves,
“Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17
His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume
me.” 18 The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20
The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and
will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body.
22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this;
and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. 23 When he
was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because
they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part would not entrust
himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to testify about
anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.
Questions
Jesus was very angry in this reading when He sent the money changers out of
the temple with a whip. Why was He angry? If Jesus, who is God, could be
angry for a good reason, what does that mean about our anger? Can we get
angry at others if we have a good reason?
Jesus called his body a temple. St. Paul tells us that our bodies are “temples of
the Holy Spirit.” If that’s true (and it is!), how clean should we keep our
temple? How do we keep it clean? What can make it dirty?
Jesus had “zeal” for His Father’s house. Zeal means really strong love. Do you
have zeal for the things of God?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry