Group Sharing
Questions – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Discussion Questions related to Sunday Readings featuring Word-Sunday, Vince Contreras, RCIA Seekers’ Michael Marchall, RCL Benziger, and Anne Osdieck.
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
January 29, 2023
INTRODUCTIONHOMILIESPAPAL HOMILIESFAITH SHARINGCHILDRENMUSIC
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Word Sunday
Scripture Study
RCIA Seekers
According to Pope Francis
Sunday Micro Retreat
SUNDAY FAITH SHARING FOR CHILDREN
Feast of the Presentation
February 2, 2023
courtesy of
RCL Benzinger
OPENING REFLECTION
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RCL Benzinger
The topic for today is the belief that Jesus is fully human and fully divine. For today’s session provide the young people with several newspapers. Invite them to take a section of the newspaper and find stories that reflect human beings who are not living up to their potential and stories that show God’s presence in human situations. Discuss:
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What kind of human stories did you find in the newspaper?
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What does it mean for a person to live up to his or her potential?
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How can a human being reflect the presence of God?
Allow time for discussion. Jesus possesses two natures: Jesus Christ is fully human and truly divine. Because of his two natures, Jesus is able to help us live up to our potential as sons and daughters of God.
SCRIPTURE DISCUSSION STARTERS
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How will the Lord come to his people?
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What will happen in the temple?
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How will the people be purified?
QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER REFLECTION
courtesy of
RCL Benzinger
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Why is Jesus brought to the temple?
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What does Simeon tell Mary and Joseph about Jesus?
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How does the prophet Anna react to meeting Jesus?
CATHOLIC DOCTRINE
courtesy of
RCL Benzinger
The Two Natures
The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus possesses two natures: Jesus Christ is fully human and fully divine. Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of the Virgin Mary. In the one person Jesus, God and humanity are united.
The feast of the Presentation celebrates that Jesus, the light of all peoples, is the only Messiah. Jesus is fully human and truly divine. Because of Jesus’ humanity, he can identify totally with us. Because of Jesus’ divinity he can help us to grow and become all that God has intended us to be.
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What two natures does Jesus possess?
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Why is Jesus able to identify with human experiences?
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How does Jesus help us to grow and change?
courtesy of
RCL Benzinger
Vimeo WORD SUNDAY
LARRY BRODING
The Beatitudes
Video | 1st Reading | Psalm | 2nd Reading | Gospel
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Which best describes your idea of happiness: self-fulfillment, contentment, or a lack of want? Explain your answer.
Everyone strives to be “happy,” but everyone has a different idea of what the word means. Many pursue money, power, and position, as a means to happiness. Others see physical exercise as the key to a pleasant life. Still others seek more spiritual goals in prayer and meditation as the blessed road.
In each case, the pursuit of happiness has a cost. What will people sacrifice for happiness? For Matthew, happiness meant “being blessed.” The cost was reputation and the danger for persecution. The reward was the Kingdom.
Children’s Reading | Catechism Link | Family Activity
SOURCE: WORD-SUNDAY © Larry Broding
SCRIPTURE STUDY
VINCE CONTRERAS
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
- In the first part of the 1st Reading, who—or what sort of people—is the prophet addressing? What is he calling them to do? Who is the Lord addressing in the second part, and how does he describe them? Do I meet this description right now? How can I more aspire to conform to this calling?
- How well do you identify with those whose calling is described by St. Paul in the 2nd Reading? How does it make you feel: Insulted? Humble? Overqualified? Underquailified? How does this calling work itself out in practical Christian piety toward God and charity toward our brothers and sisters in the Lord?
- In the Gospel Reading, how do the eight qualities that describe the “blessed” relate to the promise that follow them? How do they relate to one another? How would you describe the opposite of each quality? Who would you call “blessed” in today’s world?
- Is Jesus describing who his followers are? Or prescribing what they must do? Why do you think so? How is Jesus’ kingdom already, but not yet? • What does it mean to be “poor in spirit? Name a person (famous or not) who exemplifies “poverty of spirit” and humility.
- Of these eight qualities, which two do you desire most in your life? Why? Which of these are you tempted to avoid?
DON SCHWAGER
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
SOURCE: Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics
RCIA SEEKERS
MICHAEL MARCHAL
The Beatitudes
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
BACKGROUND:
Just as Luke groups so much of the material in the body of his gospel around a journey to Jerusalem, so Matthew arranges his material into five sermons or discourses. Today we begin reading the first of them, the Sermon on the Mount. The evangelist’s predominantly Jewish audience would have realized that Matthew is presenting Jesus as the new Moses, bringing from the mountaintop not the Law and Commandments but the Beatitudes which are the roadmap of a right relationship with God and with other people. Paul reinforces this message when he points out that is not success or “wisdom” in this world that brings happiness but embracing in our hearts the call of Christ.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Which beatitude has already become part of your life?- Which one are you still struggling with?
- When has spending your energy and talents to get worldly recognition failed you?
- Which of the beatitudes is our society most in need of today?
Practice: Each day this week pick one of the beatitudes that speaks to you that day, and ponder its meaning for your life and your relationships. How could you bring it alive for the people in your life?
SOURCE: TEAM RCIA
YouTube SUNDAY MICRO RETREAT
MONIKA KORZEC
The Grace of being truly happy.
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
The Beatitudes are the “rules of happiness” that are not reserved just for the chosen disciples. In today’s language, we would say that this teaching is not reserved just for some elite group of religious followers or people who are on a higher “spiritual level.” The Beatitudes are a road map of genuine happiness that everyone is invited to explore.
- Do you have a specific beatitude that is hard for you to cope with? Why is that? Is it because of fear? bad experience? lack of courage?
- Which one is your favourite one? Why?
- Try to reflect on all the beatitudes and see which one touches your heart the most.
