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FAITH SHARINGRCIA
SOURCE: Larry Broding at Word-Sunday.com.
Cure of the Leper
Directions: On this page you will find questions on the Sunday Readings that can be used in RCIA or Faith Sharing groups. Clicking on the PDF icons will give participants additional commentary and resources.
Small Group Questions
by Fr. Eamon Tobin
1. Share with the group or person next to you what spoke to you most in the Gospel. With this first question, try to refrain from commenting on what others said. Just share what spoke to you and then move on to the next person.
2. I assume all of us have seen the connection between leprosy and Covid-19, which are both very contagious diseases. People are fearful of them. These diseasesforce people to isolate from the community. For you, what has been the worst part of this Covid-19 pandemic? What helped you or continues to help you during this distressing time?
3. Who are the marginalized and ‘untouchables’ in our society? What can help us deal with these brothers and sisters as Jesus would?
4. Who might be people who may feel unwanted in our parish today? Why? What can be done to overcome this barrier?
5. Name one thing today’s Gospel says to us that we disciples of Jesus need to heed and act on
JOURNALING Having listened to God’s Word and listened to others’ reflections on it, take a quiet moment to reflect on what you are hearing God say to you. Your response will be what you bring to Eucharist on Sunday, asking Jesus to help you respond as he asks of you. When ready, jot down your reflections.
PRAYING WITH THE WORD Facilitator: Let us now pause to see how something(s) said in the reading might lead us into shared prayer. Suggestion: Jesus, despite my many faults and failings, you are always ready to welcome me. May I show the same hospitality to those I may tend to exclude.
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD Share with the person next to you one way you can act on this week’s readings. Suggestions: Think of someone who feels isolated or somewhat excluded. See what you can do to heal that person’s sense of isolation.
SOURCE: ©2020 Fr. Eamon Tobin. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
Discussion Questions
by Fr. Clement Thibodeau
1. Who are the “lepers”of our society today? Who are people we would not want to be seen with? People who speak with a “foreign”accent? Those who walk with leg and arm supports in the supermarket? Those who use an EBT card at the checkout counter? The “other racial”boyfriend your daughter brings home from college?
2. Tell the story of how liberating you found it to be for yourself when you were able to overcome the prejudices you grew up with in your life. Recount the freedom you found when you accepted people the way God has accepted them. Tell what bondage you found when you harbored prejudices of any kind.
3. Do you dare to come to Jesus and to expose to him the “unclean”parts of your life that need to be forgiven by him? Do you even acknowledge that you do have some unclean parts of your soul? Do you think he will be down on you and not acknowledge you as part of his family? Have you asked for forgiveness recently?
SOURCE: © 2017 Portland Diocese / Father Clement D. Thibodeau. Used with permission.
Bible Study Questions
by Vince Contreras
1. Why is the leper unsure of Jesus’ desire to help (seeLeviticus 13)? What is significant about Jesus touching the leper prior to healing him? Was it always necessary for Jesus to touch someone to effect a cure (see Matthew 8:5-13; Mark 3:1-5; John 4:43-54)?
2. Notice that Jesus’ disciples are not mentioned in this scene? Where do you think they are?
3. Why would Jesus say “See that you tell no one anything” (see verse 45)?
4. The leper came to Jesus miserable and humble. Do you think we must admit sin and have a firm purpose of amendment tobe forgiven? Why or why not?
5. Who might the leper in this story represent? What might the disease of leprosy represent?
6. Who is considered “unclean” in our society? Do you reach out and touch them? How?
7. Where do you need Jesus’ special touch this week? How can you touch others?
SOURCE: © 2014 Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics by Vince Contreras. Used with permission.
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