Gospel Reading from Mass: September 27, 2009

Mark 9:38-48 -- 38"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." 39"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. 42"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. 43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. 45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48where `their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'

Observation:

• What did John tell Jesus about? What was Jesus’ response?
• What did Jesus tell the disciples about serving others and about personal responsibility with children?
• What did Jesus tell them about sinning?

Application:

• What does the phrase “for whoever is not against us is for us” mean?
• Does Jesus really want you to cut off your hand or foot or to pluck out your eye? What is the principle he is trying to teach us?
• What do we learn here about heaven and hell?
• Who is heaven for? Hell?
• Is it possible for a person to know whether they will be in heaven or hell before they die? Explain your answer?

Gospel Reading from Mass: September 20, 2009

Mark 9:30-37 -- 30They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." 32But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." 36He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

Observation:

• Why didn’t Jesus want anyone to know where he and disciples were?
• What did he teach them? What prophesies did he share with them?
• Did the disciples understand Jesus’ teaching? Why didn’t they ask him for further explanation?
• What happened when they got to Capernaum? What were the disciples arguing about?
• What did Jesus teach them about being first? About children?

Application:

• Why do you think Jesus wanted the disciples to understand what was going to happen to him? Why didn’t they understand?
• Why do you think the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest?
• What principles did Jesus teach the disciples about being first and about children?

Gospel Reading from Mass: September 13, 2009

Mark 8:27-35 -- 27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." 30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Observation:

• Where were Jesus and his disciples?
• What question did Jesus ask his disciples? How did he answer?
• How did Peter answer Jesus’ question? What did Jesus say in response to his answer?
• What did Jesus warn the disciples about? What did he teach them?
• What did Peter say in response to Jesus’ teaching? How did Jesus respond?
• What did Jesus tell the crowd?

Application:

• What does it mean when Peter said that Jesus was “the Christ”?
• Why do you think rebuked Jesus? How did Christ respond?
• What did Jesus prophesy about himself in verses 31 and 32?
• What did Jesus mean when he rebuked Peter and said “Get behind me, Satan!”?
• What does it mean for a person to deny himself? To take up his cross? To follow Jesus?
• What does it mean to lose your life for Christ and the gospel? How will this save you? What will you be saved from?

Gospel Reading from Mass: September 6, 2009

Mark 7:31-37 -- 31Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. 33After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. 34He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!"). 35At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. 36Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

Observation:

• Where did Jesus travel?
• Who did the people bring to Jesus?
• What did Jesus do next? What happened to the man?
• What did Jesus command the people to do?
• What did the people say about Jesus?

Application:

• Why do you think Jesus healed the man in this way?
• Why do you think Jesus commanded the people not to tell anyone what happened to the man?
• Why is it significant that Jesus has the power to heal people?

Gospel Reading from Mass: August 30, 2009

Mk 7:1-8; 14-15; 21-23 -- 1The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed. 3(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) 5So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with `unclean' hands?" 6He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: " `These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." …. 14Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15Nothing outside a man can make him `unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him `unclean.' " …. 21For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and make a man `unclean.' "

Observation:

• Who gathered around Jesus?
• What were Jesus’ disciples doing?
• What did the Pharisees and the teachers of the law ask Jesus? How did he answer them?
• What makes person unclean?

Application:

• Why were the Pharisees and the teachers of the law concerned with cleanliness?
• What does it mean to be unclean?
• Where does uncleanliness come from?
• What kind of cleanliness is Jesus concerned with?
• How can we be clean?

Gospel Reading from Mass: August 23, 2009

John 6:54; 60-69 -- 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. …. 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" 61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." 66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Observation:

• What about the teaching was hard to accept?
• What did Jesus know about the disciples?
• Who can come to the Son? In what way?
• When did some disciples leave Jesus?
• What did Jesus ask his 12 disciples when many followers turned away? What was their response?

Application:

• Why do you think that the disciples grumbling?
• What did Jesus mean when he said the words he was speaking were spirit and life?
• Did Jesus mean that a person should actually eat his flesh and drink his blood?
• Why did many of Jesus’ followers stop following him?
• Why did Peter say Jesus has the words of eternal life? What does that mean?

Gospel Reading from Mass: August 16, 2009

John 6:51-58 -- 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." 52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."

Observation:

• What did Jesus say about himself?
• Why were the Jews confused?
• What did Jesus say about himself?
• Who sent Jesus to the world?
• What kind of bread was Jesus talking about?

Application:

• What did Jesus mean when he said that he would give his flesh for the life of the world?
• What does the term “the last day” mean to you?
• What kind of life is Jesus talking about in verse 53?
• How can a person eat and drink Jesus? What did he mean when he said this?

Gospel Reading from Mass: August 9, 2009

John 6:41-51 -- 41At this, the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, `I came down from heaven'?" 43"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: `They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

Observation:

• Why were the Jews grumbling against Jesus?
• What did Jesus say in response to their grumbling?
• What did Jesus say about himself?
• Who has seen the Father?
• What is the bread of life?

Application:

• Why did the crowds respond negatively to Jesus?
• What kind of everlasting life is Jesus talking about?
• What did Jesus mean when he said “I am the bread of life?”
• How can you eat the bread of life? Why will it give you eternal life?
• What did Jesus mean when he said he would give his life for the world?
• In your opinion, do you think it is possible to have eternal life?

Gospel Reading from Mass: August 2, 2009

John 6:24-35 -- 24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. 25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." 28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." 30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' " 32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Observation:

• Where did the crowd find Jesus? Why were the people looking for Jesus?
• What did Jesus tell the people they should work for?
• What question did the people ask Jesus? How did the people respond?
• What did Jesus tell the people about bread?

Application:

• Why were the people following Jesus?
• Why should people follow Jesus today?
• Are you searching for Jesus? Why are you seeking him?
• According to Jesus, why should a person seek for him?
• What did Jesus mean when he said he was “The bread of life?”
• What kind of hunger and thirst is Jesus talking about?

Gospel Reading from Mass: July 26, 2009

John 6:1-15 – 1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. 3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Feast was near. 5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" 8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" 10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.


Observation:

• Where did Jesus go and who followed him?
• Why were the people following Jesus?
• Why did Jesus ask the disciples how to feed the people?
• What did the people think about Jesus?
• Why did Jesus withdraw to the mountain by himself?


Application:

• Why was Jesus concerned about the peoples hunger?
• Why do you think there was more food after the meal than before it started?
• Why did Jesus gather the leftovers? Why was he concerned that no food be wasted?
• Why did the people want to force Jesus to be king?
• What do you find significant to you in this story?

Gospel Reading from Mass: July 19, 2009

Mark 6:30-34 – 30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Observation:

• What did the apostles do?
• Where did Jesus take the twelve?
• What happened when people saw Jesus and the disciples leaving?
• What happened when Jesus saw the large crowd?

Application:

• Why did Jesus want the twelve to rest after their work?
• Why do you think God is concerned about our rest?
• Why do you think Jesus had compassion on the people?
• What characteristics does a good shepherd have?
• What does it mean to be without a shepherd?
• Do you need a shepherd?

Gospel Reading from Mass: July 12, 2009

Mark 6:7-13 – 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. 8These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." 12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Observation:

• What did Jesus instruct his twelve disciples to do?
• What did he tell the disciples to do if they were not welcomed?
• What did the disciples preach to the people?
• What else did they do to the people?

Application:

• Why do you think Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs?
• Why do you think Jesus gave the disciples directions about what to wear and what to bring along with them?
• Why do you think Jesus gave the disciples directions about what to do in place where they are not welcomed?
• What does it mean to repent? Why were the disciples preaching?
• What happened in the places where the disciples preached?

Gospel Reading from Mass: July 5, 2009

Mark 6:1-6 – 1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

Observation:

• Where did Jesus travel to?
• On what day was he teaching?
• Why were the people amazed?
• Why were people offended at Jesus’ teaching?
• What was Jesus amazed about?

Application:

• What did people say about Jesus?
• Where do you think Jesus’ wisdom came from?
• What kind of response did Jesus receive in Nazareth? Why?
• Why do you think familiarity with Jesus prohibited the people of his hometown from seeing Jesus for who he really was?
• Why do you think the peoples’ lack of faith seemed to have an effect on what Jesus could do there?
• Do you think that your faith or lack of faith in Christ affects his ability to work in your own life?

Gospel Reading from Mass: June 28, 2009

Mk 5:21-43 – When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, `Who touched me?' " But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe." He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Observation:
• What happened after Jesus crossed over to the other side of the lake?
• Who came to see Jesus? What was his request? What did Jesus do?
• What happened while Jesus was on the way to Jairus’ home?
• What was Jesus’ response to the women who touched his clothes? What happened to that women and her illness?
• What happened in Jairus’ home?
• What was Jesus’ final command to the family?

Application:
• Why do you think the large crowd gathered and followed Jesus?
• What does it mean to have faith in Jesus?
• Why was the women healed? Why was the little girl raised?
• What is the connection between healing and faith?
• What kind of power did Jesus display in this story? Do you need this kind of faith in your life?
• Why do you think Jesus told the people not to let anyone know what had happened?
• You may not be sick or near death today but what is happening in your life that Jesus could touch?

Gospel Reading from Mass: June 21, 2009

Mk 4:35-41 – That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Observation:
• What happened when evening came?
• What happened after the boat left the shore? What was Jesus doing?
• What did the disciples do when the storm hit? What did they ask Jesus?
• What was Jesus response to the disciple’s request? What happened to the storm?
• What did Jesus ask the disciples? What did the disciples ask each other?

Application:
• Have you ever been in a serious storm? How did you feel?
• Why do you think Jesus was so calm, even sleeping in the storm?
• Why were the disciples so upset?
• What does Jesus’ display of power over the storm tell us about him?
• Why were the disciples terrified about the storms’ response to Jesus?
• Are there storms in your life that Jesus could calm for you? Do you need his power in your life?
• How would you respond to the disciples question: “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him?” How does your answer show your attitude towards Jesus?

Gospel Reading from Mass: June 14, 2009

Mk 4:26-34 – He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Observation:
• What is this story about? (vs. 26)
• What happens to the seed in this story? What happens to the mustard seed in this story?
• What is the kingdom of God like?
• How did Jesus teach the people?
• How did Jesus teach the disciples?

Application:
• What is the kingdom of God?
• What is a parable? Why did Jesus speak in parables to the crowd?
• Why did he wait until he was alone to explain their meaning to the disciples?
• What can we learn about the kingdom of God from these parables?
• Are you ready for this time of harvest? (Compare with Matt. 13:38-43)
• It seemed difficult for the crowd and the disciples to understand what Jesus was teaching. What do you do when you don’t understand something from scripture?

Gospel Reading from Mass: June 7, 2009

Mt 28:16-20 -- Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Observation:
• Where were the eleven disciples?
• What did they do when they saw Jesus?
• What did Jesus tell the eleven disciples?
• What was the last thing Jesus said?

Application:
• Why did the eleven disciples go to the mountain in Galilee?
• Why did the disciples worship Jesus? Why do you think some doubted?
• Why do you think Jesus gave the disciples these directions? Are these directions applicable to us in today’s times?
• Who did Jesus say should be baptized?
• What does it mean to go and make disciples? How should new believers be baptized?
• What should a new believer be taught? Where can these teachings be found?
• Is it important that Jesus is always with us? Why?

Gospel Reading from Mass: May 31, 2009

John 20:19-23 -- On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

Observation Questions:
• What happened on the first day of the week?
• Why were the doors locked?
• What did Jesus say to the disciples? What did Jesus show them?
• Why did Jesus breathe on the disciples? Why did he do it?
• What did Jesus say about forgiveness?

Application Questions:
• Why do you think Jesus visited the disciples?
• Why did Jesus say “Peace be with you”?
• Why do you think the disciples were afraid of the Jews?
• Why did Jesus want the disciples to see his hands and side?
• What did Jesus send the disciples to do?
• What gift did Jesus leave with the disciples?
• Are your sins forgiven or do you continue to hold on to them?

Gospel Reading from Mass: May 24, 2009

Mark 16:15-20 -- He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Observation Questions:
• What command did Jesus give the disciples?
• What happens to the person who believes? The one who does not believe?
• What kind of signs did Jesus talk about?
• What happened after Jesus finished speaking with his disciples?
• What did the disciples do after Jesus’ ascension?

Application Questions:
• What does it mean to believe?
• According to these verses, when should a person be baptized?
• Why does Jesus tell them about signs that accompany the believers?
• The disciples responded to Jesus directions by going out to preach about Jesus everywhere. How do you respond to Jesus?

Gospel Reading from Mass: May 17th, 2009

John 15:9-17 -- "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

Observation Questions:
• How can we remain in Christ’s love?
• What command did Jesus give? Why?
• What does great love look like?
• When are we friends of Jesus?

Application Questions:
• What can we learn about the relationship that Jesus has with the Father?
• What is the difference between servant and friend?
• What kind characteristics does a friend have?
• Is there who would give their life for you?
• Could you say that you are a friend of Jesus? If so, how did it happen? If not, how can you have that kind of relationship?
• What does it mean to love each other? Is there a practical way to have this kind of love in our lives?

Gospel Reading from May 10th, 2009

John 15:1-8 -- "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Observation Questions:
• What is Jesus compare himself to in this text? To what does he compare the Father?
• Who are the branches and what happens to them? What is their task or purpose?
• What is the purpose of removing unproductive branches and pruning the others?
• What promise does Jesus make to those who remain in him? What happens to those who do not?
• What is the purpose of bearing abundant fruit?

Application Questions:
• What does it mean to remain in Jesus?
• What does it mean to produce fruit? How can we produce good fruit in our lives?
• Do you have good fruit in your life?
• What does the fire and the burning represent? What does it mean?
• In what way can we be disciples or followers of Christ?

Gospel Reading from Mass: May 3rd, 2009

John 10:11-18 -- "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Observation Questions:
• What did Jesus call himself?
• What kind of characteristics does a good shepherd have?
• Who is the hired hand? Who are the sheep? Who is the wolf?
• How do the sheep respond to the shepherd?
• I what way does Jesus lay down his life? What kind of power does he have?
• What command did Jesus receive and from whom?

Application Questions:
• Why so sheep need a shepherd? What do the wolf and hired hand represent in today’s time? Do you need direction and leadership in your life?
• Are you a sheep belonging to the good shepherd? Explain your answer.
• What kind of proof did Jesus give us to show his love?
• What can we learn from the relationship between the Father and the Son?