and
Monday,
May 12 - Saturday, May 17
Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
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Question
of the Week
The Question
of the Week provides a simple way to reflect on the
scripture readings we hear at Sunday Mass. Several publishers of Catholic books
have prepared questions based on weekly readings and generously give permission
for the questions to be used in parishes. The Question of the Week prompts
us to hear the Word of God proclaimed at Mass in a new way, not only with our
ears, but with also with our mind and heart. God's word to us in Scripture
is a great
gift. Question of the Week helps us open this gift of God's Word.
May 11,
2008
The Feast of Pentecost
Gospel
~ John
20:19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them,
“Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
GOSPEL
REFLECTION
In John's account, the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples in an upper room on the evening of the Resurrection. Jesus greets the disciples with the word, Shalom, or Peace. Reminiscent of the Creator breathing life into Adam, Jesus breathes on his disciples, bestowing on them the Holy Spirit. The risen Christ sends them forth to continue his mission of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Discussion Points for Gospel
Mission is a very important word. We sometimes connect this word to working in foreign countries, but that is not all it means. The sisters in some religious communities refer to their places of work as "going on their mission." The Latin ending of the Mass was, "Ite, missa est"?"Go, you are sent." Mission and Mass have the same Latin root of missa. Now we say, "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord." Loving and serving is what mission, being sent by Jesus, is all about.
And we each have a mission in life. We are each sent by Jesus to do loving service right where we are. What do you believe Jesus is sending you to do in this time of your life?
You might like to put it into words. "Jesus sends me forth to
__________________."
How can you keep this sense of mission alive in you each day?
QUESTIONS OF
THE WEEK
FOR
ADULTS
Do we as individuals recognize our own individual gifts from the Spirit? How does our Church community benefit from these gifts?
FOR
CHILDREN
At Mass you greet others saying "Peace be with you," or "May the peace of Christ be with you." Do you really think about what you are saying? You are wishing to others that they be at peace. Think about this the next time that you offer someone Christ's peace. Do it with sincerity.
Reflection and Questions are adapted and reprinted with
permission from Harcourt Religion Publishers,
www.Harcourtreligion.com
, RCL-Benziger: www.rclweb.com
and http://www.blestarewe.com/misc/terms.html
,and
William F. Sadlier: www.webelieveweb.com
Visit these web sites for
additional information and formation resources for adults and children.
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Scripture references for the week
Click on underlined day/date to see the readings for the day. Right click back to return to this page.
Wednesday May 14 ~ Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Saturday
May 17
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