Author Archive: admin

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 29th) – Cycle B

Posted on by

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 4:1-2, 6-8 FIRST READING

(“This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.”)

l. What is Moses telling the Israelites to observe, and what will happen if they observe them? Deuteronomy 4:1

 

2. As the Israelites observe the commandments enjoined upon them, what are they not to do?  Deuteronomy 4:2, Deut. 13:1

 

3. What will happen to us if we add to God’s words? Proverbs 30:6

 

4. By observing his commands carefully, we will be giving evidence of having what two things? Deuteronomy 4:6

 

5. To whom will we be giving this evidence, and what will they say? Deuteronomy 4:6

 

6. To what is this wonder capable of leading us? 2 Timothy 3:15

 

7. What is the Lord, Our God, to us whenever we call upon him? Deuteronomy 4:7

 

8. What is being set before the Israelites this day, and what is said about it? Deuteronomy 4:8

 

9. What are God’s commandments? Psalm 119:144, 172

 

10. What are God’s ways of doing things? Revelation 15:3

 

Personal – In what way do you show wisdom and intelligence to those with whom you come in contact?  What are you contributing to your nation?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ JAMES 1:17-18, 21-22, 27 SECOND READING

(“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”)

1. From where does every good and perfect gift come? James 1:17

 

2. What is God, and what is not in him?  James 1:17, 1 John 1:5

 

3. What did God will to give us, and how did he do this? James 1:18

 

4. How have we been born?  1 Peter 1:23

 

5. Of what are we to rid ourselves, and what are we to welcome? James 1:21

 

Personal – How has the study of God’s Holy Word been a saving grace to you?

 

6. How can we deceive or delude our self?  James 1:22

 

7. Who is the wise man, and who is the fool? Matthew 7:24-27

 

8. Who will be justified? Romans 2:13

 

9. What is religion that is pure and undefiled before God? James 1:27

 

10. How do we escape the defilement of the world? 2 Peter 2:20

 

Personal – Who are the orphans and widows in your neighborhood, and how have you cared for them?  How have you kept yourself unstained by the world?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 GOSPEL

(“Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”)

1. Who gathered around Jesus, and what did they observe? Mark 7:1-2

 

2. What tradition did the Pharisees and all Jews keep? Mark 7:3-4

 

3. About what did the Pharisees and scribes question Jesus, and about whom did Isaiah prophesy? Mark 7:5-6

 

4. With what did Isaiah say these hypocrites honored him, and what was far from him?  Mark 7:6, Isaiah 29:13. Use a dictionary and write out the definition of hypocrite.

 

5. What is the first thing a hypocrite should do?  Matthew 7:5

 

6. In what way do they worship God, and what do they teach? Mark 7:7

 

7. What do the hypocrites disregard, and to what do they cling? Mark 7:8

 

8. What did Jesus say defiles or makes a person unclean, and what does not defile that person?   Mark 7:14-15

 

9. What happens to that which enters the mouth, and from where does that come which comes out of the mouth?  Mark 7:18-20

 

10. What comes from the heart, and what do these evils do? Mark 7:21-23

 

Personal – How much time do you spend on what goes into your mouth, and how much time do you spend on what comes out of your mouth?  How can you better deal with what comes out of your mouth?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 15:2-5

(“He who does these things shall never be disturbed.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 15:2-5.

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 4:1-2, 6-8

In today’s reading Moses emphasizes the Law and Israel’s exalted status among the nations.  The Law was considered a blessing and a source of life, only if it was to be accepted and enforced with equal respect for all.  There was a great cry by the people to change some of the laws, and Moses told them that these laws were the work of God and therefore complete. Moses knew that mankind, with its limited wisdom and knowledge, could not do an editing job on God’s perfect law.  Moses knew that to make changes in God’s law is to assume a position of authority over God.

The religious leaders at the time of Christ did exactly that. They elevated their own laws to the same level as God’s. Moses said that a reputation for wisdom comes only by obeying God’s Holy Word. Today, we see many religious leaders in many countries trying to impress the people with how smart they are, how talented they are and with the size of their churches. The most authentic way to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ is not becoming colorful and exciting, not becoming rich or successful, but through obedience to God’s Holy Word, his sacraments, and the fellowship of a faith-filled community.

Do you fall into the trap of trying to make others think that you are intelligent, resourceful and very religious?  Do you try to be up on almost every subject, especially the subject of theology and administration?  Remember, in Christianity it is not what you do, it is whom you know.  If you really know Christ, then you will be seeking his guidance on every aspect of your life. When you come to know Christ, then and only then, will you be able to understand the difference between the law of rigidity and the law of love.

 

JAMES 1:17-18, 21-22, 27

In today’s passage, we hear James calling these first-generation Christians who believed in Jesus Christ as the Messiah “The first children in God’s new family.”  We are called to be listeners and doers of the word.  When we talk too much and listen too little, we communicate to others that we think only our ideas have any lasting value.

We read in today’s passage’s that it is important to know what God’s word says, but it is much more important to obey it.  Our behavior and attitude reflect the effectiveness of our bible reading and study time. The message of obedience calls for a response, and it is in this responsive action of being a doer of God’s Holy Word that brings us real freedom.

Scripture is often called God’s law for free men or the law of liberty.  God’s law points out the sin in our lives and gives us the opportunity to ask God’s forgiveness (Rom. 7:7-8). We know that as Christians, we are saved by God’s grace and not by any of our own doing.  Because of God’s grace we can live a holy life, and not by any of our own doing. This grace of God has given us the gift of salvation, which includes freedom from sin’s control. As believers, we are free to live as we should and in his grace we can. However, we are not free to live as we please, but rather, in our gratitude to Christ, by following his commandments of loving one another  as he has loved us. (John 13:34). We see that in today’s world it is not enough just to “talk the talk,” but we have to “walk the walk” of Christ, and that means loving others with actions as well as with good intentions.

The first century of the new church was a time of physical, emotional and spiritual help for the powerless in the new Christian communities.  By caring for these defenseless people, the church put God’s words into practice.  They gave because it was needed, not hoping for a return.  The early church showed what it means to serve others, and today Jesus Christ is calling us to be doers of the word, not just listeners.  Jesus himself tells us, “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.” (Matthew 25:31-46).

 

MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Today’s Gospel shows the tremendous importance of the difference between Jesus and the Pharisees and the experts of the Law. The religious leaders sent some investigators to check up on Jesus, and they did not like what they found. Jesus scolded them for keeping the Law in order to look holy instead of to honor God.  The prophet Isaiah accused the religious leaders of his day of the same thing (Isaiah 29:13), and Jesus used Isaiah’s words to accuse these men.

Mark explained some Jewish rituals because he was writing to a non-Jewish audience.  About four or five centuries before Christ, there came into being a class of legal experts on Jewish law, whom we know as the scribes. The scribes reflected on the great moral principles of the Ten Commandments and broke them down into hundreds of little rules and regulations. These rules were called “The Oral Laws” and they later were written down and known as the “Mishnah.”  Jesus told them that ceremonial cleanness did not purify the heart. To fail to achieve this ceremonial cleanness of washing this or that properly in Jewish eyes, was not to be guilty of bad manners, but to be unclean in the sight of God. The man who ate with unclean hands was subject to the attacks of a demon called “Shibta.”  To many Pharisaical and scribal Jews, religion was ritual, ceremonial and regulations. It was because Jesus considered God’s laws more important than all these regulations that they considered him bad and dangerous.

Jesus saw religion as loving God and loving his fellowman, and the scribes saw religion as rules and regulations. Jesus accused them of hypocrisy.  Hypocrisy means “actor,” but it goes beyond acting on the stage. It means acting without any sincerity behind it all.  Jesus struck at the core of hypocrisy by saying that love, not legalism, is the core of religion. Legalism takes account of a man’s outward actions; but it takes no account at all of his inward feelings. We may serve God outwardly and bluntly disobey God in inward things, and that is hypocrisy. We become hypocrites when we pay more attention to reputation than to character. True religion must always come from the simple listening and accepting of the voice of God. Jesus tells us, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” (John 14:6).

 

Application

The first reading tells us that we have a God who is always near.  The second reading shows that we are called to be “doers” of the word.  The Gospel reveals that Jesus goes way beyond legalism.

This week show your family, school friends, or work associates that what you do is morally right, not just what you say. Show your family members especially, that your image is of one who is yielding, bending, and open to God’s grace, not one who is locked in a legalistic rigidity of rules and regulations.

Lectio Divina – Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 22nd) – Cycle B

Posted on by

PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer.
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

John 6:60-69 – Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave? Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 22nd) – Cycle B

Posted on by

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 JOSHUA 24:1-2,15-17, 18 FIRST READING

(“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”)

l. Whom will Joshua gather together? Joshua 24:1

 

2. Whom did Joshua address, and what did he say to them? Joshua 24:2

 

3. What did Joshua tell the people to decide upon? Joshua 24:15

 

4. What two things could be decided upon, and how could they be obtained? Deuteronomy 30:15-18

 

5. Who did Joshua say would serve the Lord?  Joshua 24:15

 

Personal  –  If you have decided to serve the Lord as Joshua has, and someone in your household has not, how have you handled it?

 

6. What did the people say they had no intentions of doing? Joshua 24:16

 

7. What did the Lord God do for them and their fathers, what did he perform, and from whom did he protect them? Joshua 24:17

 

8. How has the Lord brought you and your family out of slavery? Acts 16:31

 

9. Whom did the Lord drive out of the land, and whom did the people say they would serve?   Joshua 24:18

 

10. What can no man serve, and for what reason?  Matthew 6:24

 

Personal  –  In what way have your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents served other gods?  Whom have you decided to follow, and for what reason did you decide this?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ EPHESIANS 5:21-32 SECOND READING

(“Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.”)

1. How should husband and wife act towards one another, and for what reason do they do this? Ephesians 5:21

 

2. How should wives be towards their husband, and who is the head of the wife? Ephesians 5:22-23

 

3. Why should a wife be submissive towards her husband? 1 Peter 3:1-2

 

4. Who is head of the church, and what has he done for the church?  Ephesians 5:23,25

 

5. In what are wives to be submissive to their husbands? Ephesians 5:24

 

6. How are husbands to love their wives, and what will this make her? Ephesians 5:25-27

 

7. What does love do, and what does it not do? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

8. Whom does he who loves his wife also love? Ephesians 5:28

 

9. What two things does a person do to his flesh as Christ does for the church? Ephesians 5:29-30

 

10. What happens to the man who leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife? Ephesians 5:31

 

11. In reference to what great mystery does Paul speak? Ephesians 5:32

 

Personal – If you are married, how do you see similarities of your relationship with your spouse to those of Christ with the church (church meaning the people of God)?  Be specific.  If you are not married, how can you see similarities of your parents to that of Christ and the church?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 6:60-69 GOSPEL

(“The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”)

1. What did many of the disciples say to Jesus, and about what were they talking? John 6:34, 54, 60

 

2. What did Jesus ask his disciples? John 6:61-62

 

3. What does the Spirit give us, and what is the flesh to us? John 6:63

 

4. If we live by the Spirit, what will we not do? Galatians 5:16

 

5. What are the words that Jesus speaks? John 6:63

 

6. What did Jesus know from the beginning? John 6:64

 

7. Who draws people to Jesus? John 6:65

 

8. Who chose us and for what reason? John 15:16

 

9. What did many of Jesus’ disciples do? John 6:66

 

10. What was Simon Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question, “Do you also want to leave?” John 6:67-69

 

Personal – How have you experienced the spiritual new life through his Holy Word?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 34:2-3, 16-23

(“The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 34:2-3, 16-23

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

JOSHUA 24:1-2, 15-17, 18

Joshua called all the people together and reminded them of God’s goodness when God had blessed them so many times in the past. Joshua did that to encourage them to remain loyal and obedient to God, especially when times became difficult.  When we turn to Scripture, it is remarkable how unchanging is God’s love for us. Joshua challenged the people to make a decision. He wanted them to commit their lives to the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or ask them whether they were going to obey the local so-called gods.

The challenge by Joshua is very appropriate for the people of today. Can you imagine what would happen if the spiritual and secular leaders of the world spoke through the modern technology of television and radio to the whole world, saying that the time has come to make a choice between life with God or death without him? Or that your life will be a blessing as he resides in you, or that your life will be a curse because you are an empty shell filled with illusions, if he does not?

Well, that would not be any more explosive than what Joshua did. He told them that they could not make it without God’s guidance and help. We have seen all through history that when men believe in false gods, it is only a matter of time before they are destroyed. Joshua, a true, fearless leader, states to the people, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Today we need to pray that our leaders will have the courage of Joshua.  What about you?  Do you have that same courage?   Are you ready to say to the world, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”?

 

EPHESIANS 5:21-32

Today’s reading deals with submission, a badly misused word. Being submissive does not mean becoming a doormat.  Jesus Christ, at whose name every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth (Phil. 2:10), submitted his will to the Father.  He did this willingly, openly, and unconditionally, and we honor Christ by following his example.  When we submit to God, we become more willing to obey his command to submit to others.

In a marriage relationship both husband and wife are called to submit to one another out of reverence for Jesus Christ.  For the wife, this means willingly following her husband’s leadership in Christ.  For the husband, it means putting aside his own interests in order to care for his wife.  It means that submission is rarely a problem in homes where both spouses are in a strong personal relationship with Christ.  There are some people today who have distorted Paul’s teaching and have taken unlimited authority for themselves.  According to scripture, the man is the spiritual head of the family, and his wife affirms and goes along with his leadership.  Paul told wives to submit to their husbands, and while this teaching is not very popular today, there is no valid reason to discard it.

We must never forget that real spiritual leadership is service.  Christ served his disciples even to the point of washing their feet, and husbands are called to do no less with their wives.  Christ loved his church by teaching her, honoring her, sacrificing for her, suffering for her, being humiliated for her, providing for her, and even dying for her.  A husband is to do for his bride exactly what Christ did for his bride (church).  A husband may not be called to die physically for his wife, but he is called to die to himself.  He is called to die to his needs and tend to her needs first.  He can do that only when he has yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ, has chosen to give glory to the Father by saying, “Yes, Lord Jesus Christ, I believe in you and I will follow your commandment.”  Jesus tells all of us who believe in him, “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34).

 

JOHN 6:60-69

When we look at the Greek translation of the word “skleros,” we see that it does not mean, “hard to understand,” but “hard to accept.”  The disciples knew quite well that Jesus had been claiming to be the very life of God come down from heaven, and that no one could live this life or face eternity without submitting to him.  Today as it was then, it is not the intellectual difficulty which keeps men from becoming Christians; it is the height of Christ’s moral demand.  Man will never be able to understand God fully, and any honest thinker will accept that there must be a mystery.

The real difficulty of being a Christian is that it demands an act of surrender to Christ, and it demands a moral standard at the highest level.  Jesus tells us that the all-important thing is the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.  He goes on to tell us his words are Spirit and life.  Only Jesus can give us true purpose in life, and the power of his Holy Spirit to work out that purpose against the constant opposition that comes from without and within.  All spiritual renewal begins and ends with God, as he reveals truth to us and then lives within us as we respond to that truth.

Many of his followers found that they were not ready for this kind of message of renewal and deserted him.  The reasons they left could have been that they realized that he was not going to be the conquering Messiah-King they expected.  They were disappointed that he emphasized faith so much and not enough on doing good things.  He refused to give in to their self-centered requests.

As we grow in our faith, we may be tempted to turn away because Jesus’ lessons are hard.  Will your response be to give up, ignore certain teaching, or reject Christ?  Remember, we do not do good things to become good.  We do good things because of the good that is within us and that goodness is the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4).  Today, ask God to show you what the teachings mean and how they apply to your life.  Then have the courage to act upon God’s truth.

 

Application

The first reading shows that to accept a challenge means to change.  The second reading shows submission means to give of self willingly and joyfully.  The Gospel reveals the high moral demand of Christianity.

This week, let the challenge of Joshua stir you to show that you and your household will serve the Lord.  To do this, you need to practice the gift of listening to the members of your family.  Listen to the hurt and rejection that others are experiencing.  Then in submission respond by serving their needs.  Your willingness to serve is a definite sign that the core of your submission is the power of the Holy Spirit.  Remember, to submit to another is difficult, and to submit means to love.  To love means to be in obedience to Christ.  To be obedient to Christ is to be submissive to one another.  Do you see how God’s love is so intertwined in our lives?

Vigésimo Primer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (22 de Agosto) – Ciclo B

Posted on by

El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

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

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

1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

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

 

SEGUNDO DIA LEE JOSUE 24:1-2, 15-17, 18 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Por mi parte, yo y los míos, serviremos al Señor.”)

1. ¿A quién convocó Josué? Josué 24:1

 

2. ¿A quién se dirigió Josué y qué les dijo? Josué 24:2

 

3. ¿Sobre qué les dijo Josué a la gente que decidieran? Josué 24:15

 

4. ¿Sobre cuales cosas debían decidir y cómo se podían obtener? Deuteronomio 30:15-18

 

5. ¿Quienes dijo Josué que servirían al Señor? Josué 24:15

 

Personal – Si tú has decidido servir al Señor como Josué lo hizo y alguien de tu casa no lo ha decidido, ¿qué es lo que haces al respecto?

 

6. ¿Qué dijo la gente, que no tenía intenciones de hacer? Josué 24:16

 

7. ¿Qué hizo el Señor Dios por ellos y sus padres? ¿Qué realizó y de qué los protegió? Josué 24:17

 

8. ¿Cómo te ha sacado el Señor de la esclavitud a ti y a tu familia? Hechos 16:31

 

9. ¿A quién desalojó el Señor del país y a quién dijo la gente que serviría por esa razón? Josué 24:18

 

10. ¿A quiénes no puede servir el hombre? ¿Por qué razón? Mateo 6:24

 

Personal – ¿De qué modo han servido tus padres, abuelos y tatarabuelos a otros dioses? ¿A quién has decidido tú seguir? ¿Por qué motivo?

 

 

TERCER DIA LEE EFESIOS 5:21-32 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Sometanse unos a otros por consideración a Cristo.”)

1. ¿Cómo deben actuar el marido y la mujer en relación del uno para con el otro y por qué razon? Efesios 5:21

 

2. ¿Cómo deben ser las esposas en relación a sus maridos y quién es la cabeza de la esposa? Efesios 5:22-23

 

3. ¿Por qué la esposa debe someterse a su marido? 1 Pedro 3:1-2

 

4. ¿Quién es la cabeza de la iglesia y que ha hecho Este por ella? Efesios 5:23-25

 

5. ¿En qué deben someterse las esposas a sus maridos? Efesios 5:24

 

6. ¿Cómo deben los esposos amar a sus esposas y cómo se volverán ellas? Efesios 5:25-27

 

7. ¿Qué hace el amor y qué no hace? 1 Corintios 13:4-7

 

8. ¿Qué ama el que ama a su esposa? Efesios 5:28

 

9. ¿Cuáles son las dos cosas que una persona hace a su cuerpo como Cristo hace por la iglesia? Efesios 5:29-30

 

10. ¿Qué pasa al hombre que deja a su padre y a su madre y se une a su esposa? Efesios 5:31

 

11. ¿A qué se refiere el gran misterio del que habla Pablo? Efesios 5:32

 

Personal – Si eres casado: Que similitud ves en tus relaciones con tu esposo o esposa con aquellas de Cristo con la iglesia (iglesia significando el pueblo de Dios). Se preciso. Si no eres casado: Como ves la similitud de tus padres con relación a Cristo con la iglesia.

 

 

CUARTO DIA LEE JUAN 6:60-69 EVANGELIO

(“Las palabras que les he dicho son espíritu y por eso, dan vida.”)

1. ¿Qué dijeron muchos de los discípulos a Jesús y de qué estaban hablando? Juan 6:34, 54, y 60

 

2. ¿Qué les preguntó Jesús a sus discípulos? Juan 6:61-62

 

3. ¿Qué te da el Espíritu y para qué sirve la carne? Juan 6:63

 

4. ¿Si vives según el Espíritu que no harás? Galatas 5:16

 

5. ¿Que son las palabras que habla Jesus? Juan 6:63

 

6. ¿Qué sabía Jesús desde el principio? Juan 6:64

 

7. ¿Quién atrae a la gente hacia Jesús? Juan 6:65

 

8. ¿Quién te escogió a ti y por qué razón? Juan 15:16

 

9. ¿Qué hicieron muchos de los discípulos? Juan 6:66

 

10. ¿Cuál fue la respuesta de Simón Pedro a la pregunta de Jesús, “¿También ustedes quieren dejarme?” Juan 6:67-69

 

Personal – ¿Cómo has percibido la nueva vida espiritual a través de Su Santa Palabra?”

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE SALMO 34:2-3, 16-23

(“Dios aparta su cara de los malos, para borrar su nombre de la tierra.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 34:2-3, 16-23.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

JOSUE 24:1-2, 15-17, 18

Josué llamó a la gente a reunirse y a recordarles de la bondad de Dios cuando El los habia bendecido tantas veces en el pasado. Josué lo hizo para animarlos a permanecer fieles y obedientes a Dios, especialmente en los tiempos de dificultades. Cuando vamos a las Escrituras es sorprendente ver que inmutable es el amor de Dios por nosotros. Josué pedía a la gente que decidiera. Quería que comprometieran sus vidas al Señor quién les había dado pruebas de confiabilidad, o que le dijeran si iban a obedecer a los llamados dioses del lugar.

La petición de Josué es muy apropiada para la gente de hoy día. ¿Puedes imaginar lo que pasaría si los líderes seculares del mundo hablaran al mundo entero a través de los medios modernos de radio y televisión diciendo que ya es tiempo de escoger entre la vida con Dios o la muerte sin El? ¿Puedes decir que tu vida será una bendicion si El reside en ti o que tu vida será una maldición pues eres una concha vacía llena de ilusiones?

Bueno, eso no sería mas explosivo que lo que Josué hizo. El les dijo que no la harían bien en su vida sin la guía y la ayuda de Dios. Hemos visto a traves de la historia que cuando el hombre cree en falsos dioses, es solo cuestión de tiempo para que sean destruídos. Josué, verdadero lider sin miedo, declara a la gente que: “Por cuanto a mi y los de mi casa, serviremos al Señor.”

Hoy necesitamos orar para que nuestros líderes tengan el valor de Josué. ¿Y tú? ¿Tienes el mismo valor? Estás listo para decirle al mundo: “Por cuanto a mi y los de mi casa, serviremos al Señor.”

 

ESESIOS 5:21-32

La lectura de hoy trata de una palabra muy mal usada llamada sumisión. Ser sumiso no quiere decir ser como un tapete que se pisa. Jesucristo, a cuyo nombre toda rodilla debe hincarse sea en el cielo, en la tierra y debajo de la tierra (Filipenses 2:10), se sometió a la voluntad del Padre. Lo hizo voluntariamente, abiertamente e incondicionalmente y nosotros honramos a Cristo siguiendo Su ejemplo. Cuando te sometes a Dios estás mas dispuesto a obedecer Su mandamiento de someterte a otros.

En una relación matrimonial ambos, marido y mujer están llamados a someterse uno al otro en reverencia a Jesucristo. Para la esposa esto significa seguir voluntariamente la dirección de su esposo en Cristo. Para el esposo significa poner de lado sus propios intereses con el objeto de cuidar a su esposa. Significa que la sumisión no es un problema cuando en la casa los dos esposos tienen una relación personal firme con Cristo. Encontramos gente que ha distorcionado las enseñanzas de Pablo y han tomado una autoridad ilimitada para si mismos. De acuerdo con la escritura el hombre es la cabeza espiritual de la familia y su esposa reafirma y sigue su dirección. Pablo les dice a las esposas que se sometan a sus maridos y aún cuando esta enseñanza no es muy popular hoy en día no hay una razón válida para descartarla.

Nunca debes olvidar que la verdadera dirección espiritual es el servicio. Cristo sirvió a Sus discípulos hasta el punto de lavarle los pies y los maridos deben hacer lo mismo con sus esposas. Cristo amó a Su iglesia instruyéndola, honrándola, sacrificándose por ella, sufriendo por ella, siendo humillado por ella, proveyéndola y aún mas, muriendo por ella. Un esposo debe hacer con su conyuge lo mismo que Cristo hizo por la Suya (la iglesia). Quizá el esposo no tenga que morir físicamente por su esposa pero si debe morir a sí mismo. O sea debe morir a sus necesidades y atender a las de ella primero. Unicamente podra hacerlo cuando se haya rendido al poder del Espíritu Santo y en el nombre de Jesucristo haya escogido darle gloria al Padre diciendo “sí Señor Jesucristo creo en ti y seguiré tu mandamiento.” Jesús nos dice que quien cree en El “Ama a los otros como Yo te he amado” (Juan 13:34).

 

JUAN 6:60-69

Cuando vemos la traducción de la palabra Griega “skleros,” no significa “difícil de entender,” sino “difícil de aceptar.” Los discípulos supieron muy bien que Jesús afirmaba ser la misma vida de Dios venida desde el cielo y que ninguno podía vivir esta vida o hacer frente a la eternidad si no se sometía a El. Hoy como fue entonces, no es la dificultad intelectual la que nos impide hacernos Cristianos; es la altura de la demanda moral de Cristo. El hombre nunca será capaz de entender por completo a Dios y cualquier pensador honesto aceptará que hay misterios.

La dificultad real de ser un Cristiano está en que esto demanda un acto de rendirse a Cristo y demanda una moral de alto nivel. Jesús nos dice que la cosa mas importante es el poder de dar vida del Espíritu Santo. Y dice aún mas, que Sus palabras son Espíritu y vida. Sólo Jesús puede darnos un propósito verdadero en la vida y el poder del Espíritu Santo para conseguir ese propósito contra la constante oposición que viene de afuera y de adentro. Toda la renovación espiritual empieza y termina con Dios cuando El nos revela la verdad y vive dentro de nosotros cuando respondemos a esa verdad.

Muchos de Sus seguidores se dieron cuenta de que no estaban listos para esa clase de mensaje de renovación y desertaron. La razón por la que se retiraron pudo haber sido que se dieron cuenta que El no iba a ser el Rey-Mesías que ellos esperaban. Estaban desilusionados de que El enfatizaba mucho la fe y no mucho en hacer cosas buenas. El rehusó ceder a sus peticiones egoistas.

Cuando vas creciendo en tu fe, quizá te sientas tentado a retirarte por que las lecciones de Jesús son duras. ¿Será tu respuesta darte por vencido, ignorar algunas de las enseñanzas o rechazar a Cristo? Recuerda, no hacemos cosas buenas para hacernos buenos. Hacemos cosas buenas debido a la bondad que hay en nosotros y esa bondad es el Espíritu Santo (1 Juan 4:4). Pídele hoy a Dios que te enseñe lo que significan las enseñanzas y cómo se aplica esto a tu vida y luego ten el valor de actuar de acuerdo a la verdad de Dios.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura muestra que aceptar la invitación significa cambiar. La segunda lectura muestra que sumisión significa darse a sí mismo voluntaria y alegremente. El Evangelio revela que la cristiandad demanda una moral de altura.

Esta semana permite que la invitación de Josué te lleve a mostrar que tú y tu familia servirán al Señor. Para ello necesitas practicar el don de escuchar a los miembros de tu familia.  Pon atención al dolor y el rechazo que otros sienten. Despues, humildemente respóndeles ayudándoles. Tu voluntad de servir es una señal definitiva de que el meollo de tu sumisión está en el poder del Espíritu Santo. Recuerda, ser sumiso a otros es difícil y someterse significa amar.  Amar significa ser obediente a Cristo. Obedecer a Cristo es someterse unos a otros. ¿Ves como el amor a Dios está entrelazado en nuestras vidas?

Lectio Divina – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15th) – Cycle B

Posted on by

PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer.
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so Your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me.  AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE ON THE GOSPEL OF THE DAY

Luke 1:39-56 – In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari′ah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.” And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Solemnidad de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María (15 de Agosto) – Ciclo B

Posted on by

El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

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

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

1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

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

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA LEE APOCALIPSIS 11:19, 12:1-6, 10 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“…el niño fue arrebatado y llevado ante Dios y ante su trono.”)

1. ¿Cuando se abrió en el cielo el Santuario de Dios qué se pudo ver y qué sucedió? Apocalipsis 11:19

 

2. ¿Qué habia en el Arca de la Alianza? Hebreos 9:4

 

3. ¿Qué dijo Jesús que pasaría antes de la persecusión? Lucas 21:5-12

 

4. ¿Qué apareció en el cielo, quién estaba vestida del sol con la  luna bajo los pies y en su cabeza una corona de doce estrellas? Apocalipsis 12:1

 

5. ¿Qué le sucedia a esa Mujer? Apocalipsis 12:2

 

6. ¿Qué le dijo Dios a la mujer después de que élla pecó? Génesis 3: 16

 

7. ¿Cuál otra señal apareció en el cielo? Apocalipsis 12:3

 

8. ¿Qué hace el Monstruo con su cola, delante de quién se detuvo y qué iba a hacer? Apocalipsis 12:4

 

9. ¿Qué dió a luz la Mujer, qué haria éste y qué le sucedió? Apocalipsis 12:5

 

10. ¿A donde fue la mujer y qué le sucedió?  Apocalipsis 12:6

 

11. ¿Qué se oyó en el cielo y quién fué arrojado? Apocalipsis 12:10

 

Personal – ¿Cómo te ha estado acusando Satanás y cómo te ha protegido Dios de éste?

 

 

TERCER DIA LEE 1 CORINTIOS 15:20-26  SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“El último enemigo destruido será la muerte.”)

1. ¿Qué ha hecho Cristo y qué es El para los que duermen? 1 Corintios 15:20

 

2. ¿Qué nos dió Dios Padre por su gran misericordia? 1 Pedro 1:3-4

3. ¿Qué les pasará a nuestros cuerpos mortales y cómo lo hará? Romanos 8:11

 

4. ¿Cómo vino la muerte y cómo vino la resurrección de los muertos?  1 Corintios 15:21

 

5. ¿Cómo llegó la muerte al hombre?  Génesis 3:17-19, Romanos 5:12-18

 

6. ¿Así como Adán quién mas muere y por ser de Cristo quién recibirá la vida?  1 Corintios 15:22

 

7. ¿En qué orden recibirán la vida y luego qué sucederá? 1 Corintios 15:23-24

 

8. ¿Hasta cuando reinará?  1 Corintios 15:25

 

9. ¿Cuál será el último enemigo destruido?  1 Corintios 15:26

 

10. ¿Qué hizo Jesucristo?   2 Timoteo 1:10

 

Personal – ¿Cómo has encarado el miedo a la muerte en tu vida? ¿Has sido capaz de sobrepasar ese miedo a través de la resurrección de Cristo?

 

 

CUARTO DIA LEE LUCAS 1:39-56 EVANGELIO

(“Quitó a los poderosos de su tronos y puso en su lugar a los humildes.”)

1. ¿Quién viajó a una ciudad en los cerros de Judá? ¿A la casa de quién entró y a quién saludó? Lucas 1:39-40

 

2. ¿Qué hizo el niño que estaba en el vientre de Isabel? ¿Con qué  se lleno ésta y qué exclamó? Lucas 1:41-42

 

3. ¿Cuál fué la respuesta de Isabel? Lucas 1:43-44

 

Personal – ¿Cuál es tu respuesta a la presencia de Dios en tu vida?

 

4. ¿Por qué dijo Isabel que Maria era dichosa?  Lucas 1:45

 

5. ¿Qué proclamaba el espíritu de Maria y por qué se alegraba? Lucas 1:46-47

 

6. ¿Quién y cuál es la alegria de mi alma?  Isaias 61:10

 

7. ¿A quién ha mirado el Señor y qué dirán de élla todas las generaciones? Lucas 1:48

 

8. ¿Qué hace el Señor por los humildes?  Salmo 113:7

 

9. ¿Qué ha hecho el Todopoderoso por Maria, qué dice élla acerca de Su nombre y para quién son Sus favores?  Lucas 1:49-50

 

10. ¿Qué llevó a cabo, qué ha hecho con los soberbios y con los poderosos?  Lucas 1:51-52

 

11. ¿Qué ha hecho con los humildes, los hambrientos y con los ricos?  Lucas 1:52-53

12. ¿Qué ha hecho con Israel y de acuerdo con qué?  Lucas 1:54-55

 

13. ¿Cuánto tiempo permaneció Maria con Isabel y después adonde fué? Lucas 1:56

 

Personal – ¿Cómo puedes identificarte con la humildad de Maria?  ¿De qué manera te ha levantado Dios?  ¿O de qué manera te ha hecho agacharte?

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE SALMO 45:10-12, 16

(“…que han entrado felices y contentas,”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 45:10-12, 16.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

APOCALIPSIS 11:19, 12:1-6, 10

Juan estaba escribiendo este pasaje para levantarle el ánimo a una iglesia perseguida. La mujer representa los fieles de Dios (la iglesia) y también a Maria, la madre de Cristo, el Mesias. El dolor de parto se refiere a los sufrimientos de los primeros Cristianos, la huida al desierto es también una descripción del dolor. El sol cubriendo a la mujer es una imágen de la gloria de Maria, la madre del Mesias. Los poderes del maligno están representados por el Monstruo o Dragón quién pelea encarnizadamente por destruir al Mesiás al nacer, pero falla.

Jesús finalmente cumple su misión muriendo en la cruz por los pecados del mundo y regresa triunfante al trono de Dios. Maria también ha triunfado en su papel de obediencia y humildad. El monstruo o dragón derrotado es Satanás y se nos recuerda que la lucha de los Cristianos hoy en dia es parte de un conflicto mucho mas grande.

El mensaje de la lectura de hoy es de que a pesar de que Satanás es fuerte y poderoso y su ataque feroz, su tiempo es corto. Ha sido sobrepasado en poder por Cristo. El pueblo de Dios siempre y a donde sea está bajo su protección soberana. Esta lectura anuncia la cercania entre Cristo nuestro Mesias y Su Madre bendita. Maria fué escogida desde la eternidad para ser la Madre de Dios. Estaba ligada intimamente con su Hijo para completar el plan divíno. Satanás estuvo muy en contra de Maria, pero élla salió triunfante en su misión aqui en la tierra. Celebramos la asunción de maria al cielo por que creemos que, después de Cristo, élla ocupa el siguiente lugar de honor en la gloria.

 

1 CORINTIOS 15:20-26

En la lectura de hoy Pablo prueba que todos resucitaremos un dia. Los Cristianos convertidos de Corintio no estaban negando la resurrección de Jesucristo, pero si la del cuerpo. Pablo es muy claro y con fuerza dice que si niegas la resurrección del cuerpo. estás negando también la resurrección de Jesucristo. De hecho al hacerlo le quitas al mensaje Cristiano toda su verdad y toda su realidad a la vida Cristiana.

Pablo continúa diciéndoles que una de las doctrinas básicas del Cristianismo que éllos habian aceptado era la resurrección de Cristo. Pablo les dice que si es únicamente esta vida lo que esperamos somos de toda la gente los que daremos mas lástima. O sea que si no hubiera resurrección para nosotros el Cristianismo no nos daría nada mas que la tumba.

Es muy importante ahora, que el centro de la enseñanza Cristiana o sea el que Cristo murió, fué enterrado, resucitó de entre los muertos y apareció otra vez en la tierra, sea creido. El entierro de Cristo enfatiza la realidad de su muerte. Luego fué resucitado de entre los muertos por Dios y dejó la tumba vacia. Después Cristo se apareció a muchos lideres de la iglesia. La resurrección de Cristo es una promesa para el futuro de todos aquellos que mueren. El último enemigo es la muerte y Cristo derrotó a la muerte en la cruz en el Calvario.

La Buena Nueva es un mensaje de esperanza y Pablo les dice a los Corintios y a nosotros que como Cristo, también nosotros resucitaremos un dia y estaremos con El y con un cuerpo incorruptible. La base de la iglesia es ser un portador y un depósito de las Buenas Nuevas. Se nos ha dicho que ningún hombre tiene a Dios como Padre a menos que tenga a la Iglesia como madre. Maria es la madre de todos nosotros quienes somos la “Iglesia” y celebramos su asunción para estar con su Hijo y Mesías, Jesucristo.

 

LUCAS 1:39-56

El Evangelio de hoy nos muestra algo acerca de la clase de mujer a través de la cual Dios quiso cumplir sus propósitos. Maria, al oir la noticia increible de que su prima Isabel ya entrada en años estaba embarazada se dispone a hacer un viaje al sur de tres o cuatro dias. El encuentro se vuelve algo de especial alegría y significado por que las dos tienen mucho que compartir.

La fuerza de sus pensamientos y sentimientos surge muy fuertemente en la bendición de Isabel y el himno de alabanza de Maria. El regalo de las bendiciones hace un fuerte impacto en Maria. A élla se le concedió la bendición de ser la Madre del Hijo de Dios. Su corazón debe haber estado reventando de alegría con semejante privilegio. Mas sinembargo esa misma bendición sería una espada que atravesaría su corazón. O sea que un dia élla veria a su único Hijo colgado de una cruz.

Muchas veces, el ser bendito y escogido por Dios significa una corona de alegria y una corona de pena. Debemos saber que Dios no escoge a una persona para una alegria fácil, cómoda y egoista. El escoge a alguien para hacer algo que le tomará toda su cabeza, corazón y manos. Dios escoge a las personas para usarlas. Es el misterio de las bendiciones, que confieren a una persona tanto la mayor alegría como el mayor trabajo en el mundo. Haremos bien en recordar que Jesucristo vino, no para hacer la vida fácil sino para hacer grande al hombre.

Celebramos hoy el que “todas las generaciones la llamarán bendita.” Ella no vió en si misma nada mas que una servidora que entendia muy poco pero que confiaba y obedecia completamente. Tomemos todos nosotros sus santos atributos de gentileza, humildad y obediencia y también seremos benditos.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura revela que el Espíritu dentro de nosotros es mas fuerte que el de este mundo (1 Juan 4:4). La segunda lectura muestra que el Cristiano ha nacido para vivir por siempre. El Evangelio revela que una bendición es un regalo de Dios para ti y para otros.

Esta semana puede ser un tiempo de gran alegría y posiblemente también de gran pena para ti. Puedes pedirle a Dios que te bendiga con un espíritu que lo ansie a El. Se te opondrán muchas distracciones cuando decidas entregarte a Cristo.

Diariamente toma un tiempo a solas para orar a Jesús. Leé un pasaje de las escrituras y medítalo y luego como Maria, sometete a alguien que está cerca de ti. Esto quiere decir pon a esa persona primero, antes que a ti mismo. Todo esto puede significar el ridículo o aun mas el rechazo. Recuerda bendecir es amar a otros no a ti mismo. Jesús murió por ti y esto te hace bendito.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15th) – Cycle B

Posted on by

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 REVELATION 11:19; 12:1-6, 10 FIRST READING

(“Her child was caught up to God and his throne.”)

1. When God’s temple in heaven was opened, what could be seen, and what was happening?  Revelation 11:19

 

2. What was in the ark of the covenant?  Hebrews 9:4

 

3. What did Jesus say would happen before the persecution? Luke 21:5-12

 

4. What appeared in the sky, who was clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and twelve stars as a crown on her head?  Revelation 12:1

 

5. What was happening to the woman?  Revelation 12:2

 

6. What did God say to the woman after she sinned? Genesis 3:16

 

7. What was another sign that appeared in the sky? Revelation 12:3

 

8. What did the tail of the dragon do, who did it stand before, and what was it about to do?  Revelation 12:4

 

9. To what did the woman give birth, what was he destined to do, and what happened to him?  Revelation 12:5

 

10. Where did the woman go, and what happened to her? Revelation 12:6

 

11. What did a loud voice in heaven say, and who was cast out? Revelation 12:10

 

Personal – How has Satan been accusing you, and how has God protected you from him?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26 SECOND READING

(“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”)

1. What has Christ done, and what is he to those who have fallen asleep? 1 Corinthians 15:20

 

2. What did God the Father give us in his great mercy? 1 Peter 1:3-4

 

3. What will happen to our mortal bodies, and how does it happen?  Romans 8:11

 

4. How did death come, and how did the resurrection of the dead come?  1 Corinthians 15:21

 

5. How did death come to man?   Genesis 3:17-19 and Romans 5:12-18

 

6. Just as in Adam who dies, so too in Christ who is brought to life?  1 Corinthians 15:22

 

7. In what order are they brought to life, and then what happens?  1 Corinthians 15:23-24

 

8. How long must he reign?  1 Corinthians 15:25

 

9. What is the last enemy to be destroyed? 1 Corinthians 15:26

 

10. What did Jesus Christ do?  2 Timothy 1:10

 

Personal – When you have faced the fear of death in your life, have you been able to overcome that fear through Christ’s resurrection?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ LUKE 1:39-56 GOSPEL

(“He has thrown down rulers from their thrones, but lifted up the lowly.”)

1. Who traveled to the hill country to a town of Judah, whose house did she enter, and who did she greet?  Luke 1:39-40

 

2. What did the baby do that was in Elizabeth’s womb, with what was she filled, and with what did she cry out?  Luke 1:41-42

 

3. What was Elizabeth’s response?   Luke 1:43-44

 

Personal  –  What is your response to the presence of God in your life?

 

4. What did Elizabeth say for what was Mary blessed?  Luke 1:45

 

5. What did Mary say her soul proclaimed, and in what did her spirit rejoice?  Luke 1:46-47

 

6. Who and what is the joy of my soul?  Isaiah 61:10

 

7. What has the Lord looked upon, and what would all ages call her?  Luke 1:48

 

8. What does God do for the lowly?  Psalm 113:7

 

9. What has the mighty one done for Mary, what does she say about his name, and to whom is his mercy?  Luke 1:49-50

 

10. What has he shown, what has he done with the arrogant of mind and heart, and the rulers?  Luke 1:51-52

 

11. What has he done with the lowly, the hungry and the rich? Luke 1:52-53

 

12. What has he done to Israel, and to what was it according? Luke 1:54-55

 

13. How long did Mary remain with Elizabeth, and then where did she go?  Luke 1:56

 

Personal – How can you identify with Mary’s lowliness?  In what way has God lifted you up, or in what way has he brought you down?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 45:10-12, 16

(“They are borne in with gladness and joy;”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 45:10-12, 16.

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

REVELATION 11:19; 12:1-6, 10

John was writing this passage for a persecuted church to take heart. The woman stands for God’s faithful people (the church) and Mary, the Mother of Christ, the Messiah. The pain of childbirth refers to the sufferings of the early church, the flight into the desert is also a description of pain. The sun covering the woman is an image of the glory of Mary, the mother of the Messiah. The powers of evil are represented by a dragon who fights bitterly to kill the Messiah at birth but fails.

Jesus ultimately fulfills his mission by dying on the cross for the sins of the world and triumphantly returns to the throne of God. Mary also has triumphed in her role of obedience and humility. The dragon bent on destruction is Satan, and we are reminded that the struggle of Christians today is part of a much greater conflict.

The message of today’s reading is that although Satan is strong and powerful and his attack is fierce, his time is short. He has been overpowered by Christ. God’s people at all times and everywhere are under his sovereign protection. This reading brings out the closeness between Christ our Messiah and his Blessed Mother. Mary was chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of God. She was intimately connected with her Son in the completion of this divine plan. Satan directed much opposition to Mary, but she was triumphant in her mission here on earth. We celebrate Mary’s assumption into heaven because we believe that, after Christ, she occupies the next highest place of glory.

 

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26

In today’s reading Paul is proving that we shall all rise from the dead one day. The Christian converts of Corinth were not denying the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but the resurrection of the body. Paul was very strong and clear in his reply that if you denied the resurrection of the body, then you have denied the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In fact, you have emptied the Christian message of its truth and the Christian life of its reality.

Paul goes on to tell them that one of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith which they have accepted was Christ’s resurrection.  Paul tells them that if it is for this life only that we hope, we of all people are most to be pitied. This means that if there was no resurrection for us then Christianity can gain us nothing but the grave.

It is very important today that the center of Christian teaching, which is Christ died, was buried, was raised from the dead, and appeared again on earth, be believed. Christ’s burial emphasized the reality of his dying. Christ then was raised from the dead by God and left an empty tomb. Christ then appeared to many leaders of the church. Jesus’ resurrection is a promise of the future to all those who die. The final enemy is death, and Christ defeated death on the cross at Calvary.

The Good News is a message of hope, and Paul tells the Corinthians and us that, like Christ, we too will rise one day and be with him in a new incorruptible body. The foundation of the church is being the bearer and the repository of the Good News. We are told that no man can have God for his Father unless he has the church for his mother. Mary is the mother of all of us who are “church,” and we celebrate her being raised up to be with her Son and Messiah, Jesus Christ.

 

LUKE 1:39-56

Today’s Gospel shows us something about the kind of woman through whom God chose to fulfill his purpose. Mary, upon hearing the incredible news about her aged relative, Elizabeth, becoming pregnant, sets out on a four or five day journey south. The meeting becomes a meeting of special joy and significance because they both had so much to share.

The power of their thoughts and feelings emerge very strongly in Elizabeth’s benediction and Mary’s hymn of praise. The gift of blessedness makes a powerful impact on Mary. To her was granted the blessedness of being the Mother of the Son of God. Her heart must have been bursting with joy at so great a privilege.  Yet, that very blessedness was to be a sword to pierce her heart. It meant that one day she would see her only Son hanging on a cross.

Many times, to be blessed and chosen by God means a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. We must come to know that God does not choose a person for ease and comfort and selfish joy. He chooses one to do a task that will take all one’s head, heart and hands. God chooses a person in order to use him or her. It is the mystery of blessedness that it confers on a person both the greatest joy and the greatest task in all the world. We will do well to remember that Jesus Christ came, not to make life easy, but to make men great.

We celebrate today that “all ages have come to call her blessed.” She saw nothing in herself but a maid-servant who understood little, but trusted and obeyed completely. Let us all assume her holy attributes of gentleness, humility and obedience, and we too will be blessed.

 

Application

The first reading reveals the Spirit within us is stronger than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). The second reading showed that a Christian is born to live forever. The Gospel reveals that a blessing is a gift from God to you, and for others.

This week can be a time of great joy and possibly even a time of great pain for you. You can ask God to bless you with a spirit that hungers and longs for him. You will be opposed by many distractions when you decide to submit yourself to Christ.

Each day, make time alone to pray to Jesus. Read a passage of scripture and meditate on it, and then, like Mary, be submissive to someone who is near you. That means, putting that person first. It might mean ridicule or even rejection. Remember, blessedness is loving others, not yourself. Jesus died for you and this makes you blessed too.

Decimonoveno Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (8 de Agosto) – Ciclo B

Posted on by

El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

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

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

1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

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

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA LEE 1 REYES 19:4-8 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Levántate y come, si no el camino será demasiado largo para ti.”)

1. ¿Quién fue al desierto y por qué oró cuando se sentó bajo el árbol? 1 Reyes 19:3-4

 

2. ¿De quién hablaba Elías cuando dijo que él no era mejor que ellos? 1 Reyes 19:4

 

3. ¿Cuál es la otra persona que le dijo al Señor que quería morir y qué le respondió Este? Jonás 4:6-11

 

4. ¿Qué dice el Señor acerca de su modo de hacer las cosas? Isaías 55:8-9

 

5. ¿Qué hizo Elías cuando se acostó, quién lo tocó y qué le ordenó hacer?  1 Reyes 19:5

 

6. ¿Qué encontró Elías en su cabecera y para que vino el ángel del Señor cuando vino por segunda vez? 1 Reyes 19:6-7

 

Personal – ¿Hay algo que te haya causado tener ganas de darte por vencido y morir? Dícelo al Señor y pídele que te revele Su Verdad en relación con esta situación.

 

7. ¿Para qué se levantó Elías por segunda vez y de qué le sirvió?  1 Reyes 19:8

 

8. ¿De dónde sacamos las fuerzas y qué nos da vida? Juan 6:53

 

9. ¿Qué tanto caminó Elías y a dónde fue?  1 Reyes 19:8

 

10. ¿Qué camino debemos tomar o cómo debemos vivir la vida? 2 Juan 4

 

Personal – ¿Cómo te ha ayudado Dios a salir de situaciones difíciles?

 

 

TERCER DIA LEE EFESIOS 4:30 – 5:2 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Como hijos amadísimos de Dios, esfuércense por imitarlo.”)

1. ¿Con quién has sido sellado para el día de la Salvación y a quién no debes entristecer?  Efesios 4:30

 

2. ¿Qué debes arrancar de ti?  Efesios 4:31 y 4:29

 

3. ¿Qué clase de aclamaciones son aceptables?  Salmo 47:1

 

4. ¿Cómo debemos ser unos con otros y qué ha hecho Dios por nosotros en Cristo? Efesios 4:32

 

5. ¿Qué dijo Jesús al Padre cuando lo estaban crucificando? Lucas 23:34

 

6. ¿Qué tenemos en Jesús?  Efesios 1:7

 

7. ¿A quién debemos imitar y qué somos para El? Efesios 5:1

 

8. ¿Cómo debemos imitarlo?  1 Juan 2:6

 

9. ¿Cómo debemos vivir y cómo nos mostró Cristo su amor por nosotros?   Efesios 5:2

 

10. ¿Para quién debemos buscar el beneficio y cómo debemos estimar a los otros?   Filipenses 2:3-4

 

Personal – ¿De qué manera podrías actuar como Cristo en tu casa, trabajo, parroquia o escuela?

 

 

CUARTO DIA LEE JUAN 6:41-51 EVANGELIO

(“…el pan que yo daré es mi carne y la daré para vida del mundo.”)

1. ¿Acerca de qué murmuraban los Judíos? Juan 6:41-42

 

2. ¿Qué les dijo Jesús que dejaran de hacer? Juan 6:43

 

3. ¿Cómo dijo Jesús que llegaríamos a El y qué hará en el último día? Juan 6:44

 

4. ¿Cuando Jesús fue ascendido de la tierra a quién dijo que atraería hacia El? Juan 12:32

 

5. ¿Qué está escrito en los profetas? ¿Quién viene a Jesús? Juan 6:45

 

6. ¿Qué será grande entre aquéllos instruídos por Dios? Isaías 54:13

 

7. ¿Cómo entendemos lo que Dios enseñó?  1 Corintios 2:12-13

 

8. ¿Quién ha visto al Padre?  Juan 6:46

 

9. ¿Quién tiene vida eterna y quién dice Jesús que es El? Juan 6:47-48

 

10. ¿Qué les pasó a nuestros antepasados? ¿Para qué es este pan?  Juan 6:49-50

 

11. ¿Quién dice Jesús que es El, qué pasara a los que coman de este pan y qué es este pan?  Juan 6:51

 

Personal – ¿Cómo has adquirido fuerzas por medio del pan que bajó del cielo (Jesús) y de qué modo participas de Su cuerpo? ¿Cómo ha afectado tu vida la Palabra y el Sacramento en la Misa?

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE SALMO 34:2-9

(“Busqué al Señor y me dió una respuesta y me libró de todos mis temores.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 34:2-9.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

1 REYES 19:4-8

El pasaje de hoy nos muestra como un poderoso profeta del Señor permite que el miedo lo incapacite. Vemos a Eliás huyendo de la malvada reina Jezabel después de que él acababa de destruir a sus falsos profetas en una exhibición espectacular del poder divino. Elías sufre de excesiva fatiga y desaliento después de sus dos grandes victorias, la derrota de los profetas de Baal y la respuesta a su oración por la lluvia.

La amenaza de Jezabel de matarlo lo deja sin aliento. Para sacarlo de este estado de depresión, Dios le permite descansar y comer. Después Dios lo llama a que siga con su misión en la vida o sea, ser profeta de Dios. Las batallas de Elías estaban lejos de acabar y todavía había mucho trabajo que tenia que hacer.

Debes recordar esto, cuando te sientas sin aliento después de una gran experiencia espiritual, es que el propósito que Dios tiene para tu vida no ha terminado. Elías huyó para salvarse, al silencio del monte del Horeb, donde Dios encontró a Moisés y le dio Sus leyes para la humanidad. Dios le dio a Elías la fuerza de viajar cerca de 200 millas para llegar al gran monte sagrado sin comida adicional. Elias como Moisés antes que él y como Jesús después que él, ayunó por cuarenta días y cuarenta noches. Elías pensó que él era la única persona que todavía quedaba que era fiel a su llamado. Experimentó la victoria y luego el desaliento y eso le hizo sentir pena por sí mismo. Cuando creas que tú eres el único que permanece fiel, ten la seguridad de que hay otros fieles también que estan obedeciendo a Dios y llevando a cabo sus obligaciones.

 

EFESIOS 4:30 – 5:2

Pablo nos dice en el pasaje de hoy que podemos entristecer al Espíritu Santo por el modo en que vivimos nuestras vidas. Nos previene de no usar lenguaje sucio o impropio, o rudo, de las riñas, de palabras ásperas y de actitudes malsanas contra los demás. No debemos actuar de ese modo. A través del poder del Espiritu Santo podemos perdonar, así como nuestro Señor nos ha perdonado a nosotros nuestros pecados. Reflexiona un momento, ahorita: ¿Estás agradando o entristeciendo a Dios con tus palabras, actitudes o acciones? Dile al mundo que el Espíritu Santo que tienes dentro de ti es un signo de que tú perteneces a Dios y sólo a Dios.

La ley de Cristo se resume a amar y perdonar. Estas dos cosas son decisiones y son señales de que Cristo está realmente en nosotros cuando a través del poder del Espíritu decidimos amar y decidimos perdonar. Dios no nos perdona por que nosotros perdonamos a otros, El nos perdona debido a Su gran misericordia. Queremos ser mas como El cuando estamos mas abiertos a Su Santa Palabra y habiendo recibido Su perdón estamos mas abiertos a perdonar a otros. Es muy evidente que aquéllos que no quieren perdonar no han llegado todavía a ser uno con Cristo, El cuál estuvo dispuesto a perdonar aún a aquéllos que lo crucificaron (Lucas 23:34). Nuestro amor por otros debe ser un amor que va mas allá del afecto y hacia el servicio de sacrificarse a sí mismo. Jesús nos ama así a cada uno de nosotros.

 

JUAN 6:41-51

Este pasaje nos muestra que los líderes Judíos como mucha gente de hoy, juzgan las cosas por el valor humano y las normas externas. Su reacción a la afirmación de Jesus de quién era El, los llevo a mostrar el hecho de que era un pobre Nazareno, hijo de un carpintero del lugar. No era posible que alguien tan ordinario fuera un mensajero especial de Dios.

El evangelio de hoy realmente nos lleva al punto de que nunca debemos desatender a los mensaje de Dios por que no nos parece bien el mensajero. Dios tiene muchos mensajeros. Su mensaje más grande vino a través del carpintero de Galilea y por esa misma razón los Judíos lo ignoraron. La imagen que tenían de El de ser un carpintero de pueblito les nubló totalmente la imagen de El y la aceptación de Su afirmación de divinidad.

Hoy mucha gente rechaza a Cristo por que no pueden creer que El es el Hijo de Dios. En realidad las afirmaciones que El hace de sus vidas son las cosas que realmente objetan. Niegan al mensajero con objeto de protegerse a sí mismos del mensaje. Los líderes Judíos de los tiempos de Jesús se hacían las mismas preguntas que se hacen muchas personas hoy en día. ¿Cómo puede Jesús darnos a comer su carne? Debemos entender y creer que comer su pan de vida significa unirnos con El. Estamos unidos a El de diversos modos. Uno, es creyendo en Su muerte y resurrección y responsabilizandonos a nosotros mismos a vivir como El nos ha mandado. Otro, es incluir la lectura diaria de Su Santa Palabra, participando de El en únion sacramental y confiando en el poder de Su Espíritu Santo.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos muestra que Dios es nuestro refugio, nuestra fortaleza y nuestra protección (Salmo 91). La segunda lectura revela que necesitamos ser antes que hacer. El Evangelio revela que Dios envía Su mensaje a través de muchos mensajeros.

Esta semana, demuestra lo que crees por el modo en que vives. Muéstrale a tu familia que estas en paz recibiendo a Jesús en la Eucaristía, con Su Santa Palabra, meditando y compartiendo con otros Cristianos. Muéstrales que debido a que el Espíritu Santo vive en ti, no tienes temor de nada ni de nadie. Déjalos que vean que sientes el amor de Dios cuando participas de Su pan de vida en la Sagrada Comunión.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 8th) – Cycle B

Posted on by

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 1 KINGS 19:4-8 FIRST READING

(“Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you.”)

l. Who went to the desert, and what did he pray for as he sat beneath the tree? 1 Kings 19:3-4

 

2. Who did Elijah say he was no better than? 1 Kings 19:4

 

3. Who is another person who told the Lord he wanted to die, and what was the Lord’s response to him? Jonah 4:6-11

 

4. What does the Lord say about his ways of doing things? Isaiah 55:8-9

 

5. What did Elijah lie down and do, who touched him, and what did he order him to do?   1 Kings 19:5

 

6. What did Elijah find at his head, and for what did the angel of the Lord come back a second time?  1 Kings 19:6-7

 

Personal  –  What has caused you to want to give up and die? Bring it to the Lord and ask him to reveal his truth to you on this situation.

 

7. What did Elijah get up and do for the second time, and what did it do for him? 1 Kings 19:8

 

8. Where do we get our strength, and what gives you life? John 6:53

 

9. How long did Elijah walk, and where was he going? 1 Kings 19:8

 

10. In what are we to walk or live our life? 2 John 4

 

Personal – How has God provided a way out of a difficult situation for you?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ EPHESIANS 4:30-5:2 SECOND READING

(“So be imitators of God, as beloved children.”)

1. With whom were we sealed for the day of redemption, and whom should you not grieve?    Ephesians 4:30

 

2. What must be removed from us? Ephesians 4:31, also verse 29

 

3. What kind of shouting is acceptable? Psalms 47:1

 

4. How are we to be toward one another, and what has God done for us in Christ? Ephesians 4:32

 

5. What did Jesus say to the Father as he was being crucified? Luke 23:34

 

6. What do we have in Jesus? Ephesians 1:7

 

7. Whom are we to imitate, and what are we to him? Ephesians 5:1

 

8. How are we to imitate God? 1 John 2:6

 

9. How are we to live, and how did Christ show his love for us? Ephesians 5:2

 

10. Whose interest are we to look out for, and how should we regard others? Philippians 2:3-4

 

Personal – In what way can you take on the attitude of Christ in your home, work, parish, or school?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 6:41-51 GOSPEL

(“…the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”)

1. About what were the Jews murmuring?  John 6:41-42

 

2. What did Jesus tell them to stop doing? John 6:43

 

3. How did Jesus say we come to him, and what will he do on the last day? John 6:44

 

4. When Jesus was lifted up from this earth, whom did he say he would draw to himself?    John 12:32

 

5. What is written in the prophets, and who comes to Jesus? John 6:45

 

6. What shall be great among those taught by God? Isaiah 54:13

 

7. How do we understand what is taught by God? 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

 

8. Who has seen the Father?  John 6:46

 

9. Who has eternal life, and what does Jesus say he is? John 6:47-48

 

10. What happened to our ancestors, and what is this bread? John 6:49-50

 

11. Who does Jesus say he is, what will happen to those who eat this bread, and what does Jesus say the bread he gives is? John 6:51

 

Personal – How have you been strengthened by the bread that came down from heaven (Jesus), and in what ways do you partake of his body?  How has Word and sacrament at Mass affected your life?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 34:2-9

(“I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 34:2-9.

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

1 KINGS 19:4-8

Today’s passage shows us how a powerful prophet of the Lord allows fear to cripple him. We see Elijah running from the wicked Queen Jezebel after he had just destroyed her false prophets in a spectacular display of divine power. Elijah experienced the depths of fatigue and discouragement just after his two great victories, the defeat of the prophets of Baal and the answered prayer for rain.

Jezebel’s threat to kill Elijah completely drained him. To lead him out of this state of depression, God let him rest and eat. God then confronted him to get on with his mission in life, and that was to be God’s prophet. Elijah’s battles were far from over, and there was still much work for him to do.

We need to remember that when we feel a letdown after a great spiritual experience, God’s purpose for our life is not yet over.  Elijah fled to the safety and silence of Mt. Horeb, where God met Moses and gave his laws to mankind. God gave Elijah the strength to travel about 200 miles to that great sacred mountain without additional food.  Elijah, like Moses before him and Jesus after him, fasted for forty days and nights. Elijah thought he was the only person left who was still true to his calling.  He experienced victory and then discouragement, and that made him feel sorry for himself.  When we are tempted to feel we are the only ones remaining faithful, be assured that others are faithfully obeying God and carrying out their duties also.

 

EPHESIANS 4:30-5:2

Paul tells us in today’s passage that we can grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live our lives. He warns us against foul language, meanness, improper use of language, quarrels, harsh words and bad attitudes toward others.  We do not have to act this way.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be forgiving, just as our Lord has forgiven us of our sins.  You need to reflect for a moment, right now. Are you pleasing or grieving God with your words, attitudes and actions?  You tell the world that the Holy Spirit within you is a sign that you belong to God and only God.

The law of Christ is summed up in love and forgiveness. They both are decisions and it is a sign to all that Christ is really present in us when through the power of the Spirit we decide to love and decide to forgive.  God does not forgive us because we forgive others; he forgives us out of his great mercy.  We want to be more like him as we become more open to his Holy Word, and having received his forgiveness, we are open to forgive others. It is very evident that those who are unwilling to forgive have not become one with Christ, who was willing to forgive, even those who crucified him (Luke 23:34).  Our love for others should be a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service. Jesus loves each one of us like that.

 

JOHN 6:41-51

This passage shows that the Jewish leaders, like many people today, judged things by human values and by external standards. Their reaction to Jesus’ claim as to who he was produced the fact that he was only a poor Nazarene who was the son of a poor local carpenter. There was no way that someone who was so ordinary as he could be a special messenger of God.

Today’s Gospel really drives home the point that we should never neglect a message from God, because we do not care for the messenger. God has many messengers. His greatest message came through a Galilean carpenter and for that very reason the Jews disregarded it.  Their appraisal of him as a small town carpenter totally blurred their vision of him and interfered with accepting his claim of divinity.

Today many people reject Christ because they say they cannot believe he is the Son of God. In reality, the claims he makes on their lives are what they really object to.  They deny the messenger in order to protect themselves from the message. The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time asked the same questions that many people ask today. How can Jesus give us his flesh to eat?  We need to know and believe that to eat his living bread means to unite ourselves with Jesus. We are united with him in several ways. One is by believing in his death and resurrection and by committing ourselves to living as he commanded us. Others include reading daily his Holy Word, by partaking of him in sacramental union and by trusting in the power of his Holy Spirit.

 

Application

The first reading shows us that God is our refuge, our fortress and our strength (Psalm 91).  The second reading reveals that we need to be, before we do.  The Gospel reveals that God delivers his message through many messengers.

This week, show what you believe by how you live. Show your family that you are in peace by receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, his Holy Word, meditation and Christian fellowship.  Show them that because the Holy Spirit resides in you, you do not have to be afraid of anything or anyone.  Let them see you experience God’s love as you partake of his living bread in Holy Communion.