Reflecting On Sunday’s Readings
July, 2017
The following series is free, downloadable small-group materials based on each week’s Mass readings and taking into account the seasons of the liturgical year. Each study provides an introductory reflection on some aspect of the readings or on personal spirituality. Each of the readings is provided along with a few questions designed to engage the heart and stimulate the group’s discussion. These small-group materials will be provided on a continuing basis in monthly segments
We would suggest the following 60-to-90 minute format for the small group:
1. Open with a moment of quiet reflection and prayer.
2. Discuss the introductory reflection with a question or comment like, “What do you feel is important for us to grasp in this introduction?” or “What stood out to you from these opening paragraphs?” As the facilitator of the discussion be ready to share one or two things which were important to you from the introduction.
3. Have someone read the First Reading and ask several people to share their answers to the reflection questions. Effective group-dynamic techniques should be used to further stimulate the discussion and affirm the participation.
4. The Responsorial Psalm provides a reflective transition from the First Reading to the Gospel Reading, so have the Psalm read aloud. You may do this without additional comment, or you may want to draw their attention to something you feel is pertinent.
5. You can either read this week’s Second Reading next and ask several people to share their answers to the reflection questions, or cover the Second Reading after you cover the Gospel Reading. The Second Reading does not always have a clear connection to the other Sunday Mass readings, so do not feel like you need to force a connection. However, you can provide an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to draw a connection by asking, “How do you see this passage tying into the theme of the readings?”
6. Move on to the Gospel Reading, repeating the process by asking several people to share their answers to the reflection questions.
7. Approximately equal time for discussion should be given to each of the sections: Introduction, First Reading, Gospel Reading, and the Second Reading. Obviously, if one section is especially stimulating, you should give some additional time to discussing it.
8. Close the discussion with group prayer, using various prayer formats.
We trust that God will use these materials to make His Word more meaningful to you, both within the small group environment and during Mass as you hear the Scripture is read and taught. We would appreciate knowing if you are using the Reflecting on Sunday’s Readings, and would welcome your feedback, either through the Emmaus Journey web page form, or by direct e-mail.
Sincerely in Christ,
Richard A. Cleveland
Reflecting On Sunday’s Readings
THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME—July 2, 2017
Introduction: Paul’s admonition in Galatians 6:10, makes a great introduction to the issue of hospitality; “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” How we treat others is a picture window into the condition of our own souls. Our gracious treatment of others, or lack there of, reveals a great deal about how we feel about our selves. It also reveals our perspective on others and whether we see them as Christ sees them, or whether we simply treat them as their behavior warrants. Most impor-tantly it reveals our devotion to Christ and our willingness to let his desires and interests exceed our own self-interest.
Our hope is that the Father will not treat us as we deserve to be treated, but will respond to us in mercy (not giving us that which we deserve) and in grace (giving us that which we do not deserve) based on the fact that we know and love his Son, Jesus, the Christ. In the same manner, Jesus does not expect us to treat others as they deserve, but to treat them with mercy and grace even as we have been treated by him. Imagine how drastically different the world would be if mercy and grace prevailed in all our dealings with others. How quickly some behavior would disappear, and opportunities to express love, compassion, and service would be eagerly sought.
Jesus’ words, “for as much as you do it to one of these you do it to Me,” would become the watch word for how we relate to others. This is especially true in respect to how we treat other Christians in whom Christ dwells, for in reality our treatment either honors or dishonors Christ who dwells in the other person.
Likewise, Hebrews 13:2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” should move us to treat all people with a similar attitude. For we do not know, and cannot know, if maybe the person we encounter has in fact been sent by God. One thing we do know if we are believers, is that we have been sent by God, and represent him to each person we encounter.
Though I don’t know if it is true, I recently heard a story which effectively illustrates the need to treat strangers with love. Upon enthusiastically entering their church on a Sunday morning to hear a well known visiting speaker, the worshippers were appalled to find a derelict lying close to the door in an apparent drunken stupor. Many as they passed by shied away looking in disgust and anger at his disheveled appearance. When the time came for the morning worship to start there was some confusion inasmuch as the visiting pastor had not arrived. After a few minutes of delay, the supposed derelict, in reality the visiting pastor, walked down the aisle and took the podium to speak on the love of Christ and to remind the worshippers that “as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these you have done it unto me.
“Without love, the outward work is of no value; but whatever is done out of love, be it ever so little, is wholly fruitful. For God regards the greatness of the love that prompts a man, rather than the greatness of his achievement. Whoever loves much, does much. Whoever does a thing well, does much. And he does well, who serves the community before his own interest.” (Thomas à Kempis in The Imitation of Christ)
These days there is a lot of talk about Social Security and planning for our futures. Was Jesus serious when he said, “Whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water … he shall not lose his reward?” I think he was. We are storing up for our heavenly future by how we respond to others today.
First Reading — 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a
8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, who is continually passing our way. 10 Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”
11 One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. …14 And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 And he said, “At this season, when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son.”
1. What characteristics do you think are essential to be hospitable?
Responsorial Reading — Psalms 89:1-2, 15-18 (2-3, 16-19 NAB)
1 I will sing of thy steadfast love, O Lord, for ever; with my mouth I will proclaim thy faithfulness to all generations. 2 For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens. …
15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance,
16 who exult in thy name all the day, and extol thy righteousness. 17 For thou art the glory of their strength; by thy favor our horn is exalted. 18 For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
Second Reading — Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. …
8 But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 9 For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
2. How would you describe the “newness of life”?
3. What does the term “dead to sin” mean to you?
Gospel Reading — Matthew 10:37-42
37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41 He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
4. Explain the attitude Jesus desires us to have toward:
Himself:
Our self:
Others:
5. What have you found helpful to move you from being self-serving to serving others?
6. During this year of the Eucharist, how do these readings help you carry Christ to others?
Scripture text is from the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, (New York: The National Council of Churches) 1997, c1994.
Reflecting On Sunday’s Readings, Copyright 2002-2017, Richard A. Cleveland.
Reflecting On Sunday’s Readings
THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME—July 9, 2017
Introduction: Amazingly, each year thousands celebrate Independence Day in this country while remaining enslaved. Because of the abuses of political power our ancestors rebelled and claimed the right of self-determination politically. Although we exercise self-government politically, we often find that we really cannot govern ourselves personally; instead we are enslaved by habits and passions over which we have little control. The good news we should celebrate on Independence Day is that Christ really can set us free.
Contrary to our normal way of thinking it is surrender to Another’s rule in our life which puts us on this road to freedom. This surrender, of which we speak, is manifest when we make a conscious faith decision to embrace and follow Jesus. It is manifest by willingly welcoming him into our lives by faith, as the Lord of our lives. Signing over the deed of ownership to our life, when most of us have been taught to idolize self-will and independence, requires a major effort of our will. As Pope Paul VI mentions in On Evangelization in the Modern World. “This kingdom and this salvation, which are the key words of Jesus Christ’s evangelization, are available to every human being as grace and mercy yet each individual must gain them by force, … But above all each individual gains them through a total interior renewal which the Gospel calls metanoia; it is a radical conversion, a profound change of mind and heart.”
Pope Paul VI earlier in this same encyclical explains, “As an evangelizer, Christ first of all proclaims a kingdom, the kingdom of God; …” This rule of God in our life is what is so radical. He wants to guide and direct us in our life decisions, he wants to reveal himself, and reveal Truth through his son Jesus, he wants us to know Jesus experientially and not simply know of Jesus. God wants us to allow Jesus to live out his life of gentleness, meekness, and purpose through us. Many of us remain complacent knowing that we have been baptized into the Church. We hang back from full commitment to becoming obedient followers of Christ, resting instead on misconceptions regarding our baptism.
We would do well to take a deeper look at this week’s second reading. The promises in this passage are contingent on the little word “if;” if the Spirit “dwells” in us. The word “dwell” means to occupy, to inhabit, to live within us. When the Spirit LIVES within us the deeds of the flesh die within us. Baptism signifies that this process is taking place. In the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church there is a need in those who have been baptized as infants for “the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth.” (1231) The renewing of our baptismal vows, which we are asked to do regularly, and reminded to do as we cross ourselves with holy water at Mass, should result in the very thing baptism represents; “the washing and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” (1215)
Many of us shy away from fully yielding our lives to walk in the Spirit, rather than in the flesh. Perhaps we anticipate that a life lived in the Spirit will be burdensome, so we hang back, exchanging the joy of total commit-ment for the agony of halfway living.
Jesus said his burden is not troublesome and heavy but rather easy and light. Those of us who find the Christian life difficult should exchange our half-hearted burdensome form of following Christ for the light and joyful surrender of wholeheartedness. This life in Christ, which consists of allowing Christ to live out his will, his rule of love in our life, is what Jesus died to obtain for us. It is only when we yield and depend on him that his kingdom in us becomes a reality. Praying “Thy kingdom come” and following through with “thy will be done” in us, is the way to truly become free.