Trinity Sunday
Background: Grace, love, fellowship—these words from the end of this Sunday’s selection from 2 Corinthians provide the common threads that runs throughout all the readings. Today’s focus is not on the inner relationships among the Persons of the Trinity but upon their relationships with us in both Old and New Testaments. As the participants approach initiation through Baptism by water and the Spirit and the sealing of the Spirit, it is good to explore with them what their deepest image of God is.
Discussion Questions
- Sin is always a part of our lives, but the last word is always grace. When did you come to believe that you did not have to earn God’s love but that mercy and forgiveness were there waiting for you?
- When did you stop seeing Jesus as some sort of taskmaster or judge but instead as the one who came not condemn but to save?
- When did you come to know that the Spirit was working already in you, changing your heart and your priorities?
- When did you discover that the Spirit was at work within the community? That the fellowship of the Holy Spirit was something real and concrete as the Spirit guided you through the advocacy and advice of others?
Practice: How does the name that you are choosing for initiation reflect your relationship with God?
The Body and Blood of Christ
Background: Bless, share, live—these words run through today’s readings. Just like Trinity Sunday, the emphasis is not upon abstract dogma but upon concrete and intimate relationship. The Eucharist is the third and repeatable sacrament of initiation; through its celebration we enter into an unbreakable relationship with the God revealed in Jesus and with each other.
Discussion Questions
- How has Jesus already been really present to you, even when sometimes your life seemed to be a desert?
- When have you already experienced Jesus’s presence as you have shared in this community’s life and worship?
- Sharing in the common Meal is the high point of Christian initiation because it means that Jesus remains in us and we in him. Is there any particular part of your life that you want to know that he truly remains with you there?
- We share one bread and one cup and so become one Body. Which of the gifts that you have been given does Jesus want you to use in the service of others?
Practice: Many people in our neighborhood and our city are hungry right now. How will you help feed them this week?
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Background: We are in Cycle A so most of the gospel selections are taken from Matthew. Ordinary Time does not mean that things are things are back to ordinary after Lent and Easter; rather it means that Sunday by Sunday we are reading through Matthew in order.
Today we jump into the middle of the second of the five “sermons” that he uses to organize his material dealing with Jesus’s public ministry. This sermon is addressed to the apostles just before he sends them out on mission to proclaim the Good News. Through the sacraments of initiation Jesus commissions us to go out to proclaim his Good News as well.
Discussion Questions
- “Preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” Which of your actions at home makes your family or household aware that you love and appreciate them?
- Which of your actions at work reveals that you respect and care for your colleagues?
- How do you reveal God’s free gift of grace to others?
- Have you ever had to stand up for what is right? Is there someone whom you admire because they have done so?
Practice: Which person do you know who really needs to hear that they are loveable?
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Background: This is the concluding section of the “sermon” about what it means to be a person who lives and proclaims the gospel values of Jesus.
Discussion Questions
- Which one of Jesus’s statements here scares you the most?
- Which one comforts you the most?
- How does our society need to hear these words?
- We must consider ourselves as ”dead to sin and alive for God in Christ.” When does being a Christian make you feel most alive and happy? Which person do you know best embodies this same vitality?
Practice: Which person would feel blessed if you spent time with them?
Really like the idea of these questions… not just for seekers. What is the full text of question 3 for Trinity Sunday?
Hi Leslie. I fixed it. Thanks.
These questions are great and I see them helping our RCIA team discuss the practical aspect, the reality of being Catholic. To help them become not just Catholic in name, but serving Christ in their everyday life.
I hope you will continue to share these questions through Ordinary Time.
Thank you so much – having access to these ideas especially at this time of pandemic, helps enormously. We are all having to set new parameters in almost every aspect of our life, so I appreciate being able to borrow your wisdom and blessing.