CYCLE B
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Epiphany January 7 Matthew 2:1-12
“After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, astrologers from the east arrived one day in Jerusalem inquiring, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage’”
Where in your own life’s circumstance do you find Jesus present to you?
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Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 14 John 1:35-42
“When Jesus turned around and noticed them following him, he asked them, ‘What are you looking for?’”
- If Jesus asked you today, how would you answer his question, “What are you looking for?” — in your life, in your community, in your church, in your God?
- Andrew went and got his brother. How are you at inviting others to follow?
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Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 21 Mark 1:14-20
“This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand!”
- James and John left their comfortable surroundings and possessions to follow Jesus. Describe an experience in your life when you have felt compelled to make a significant change.
- The Good News is for all of us to hear and share. In what ways can we be messengers on this mission?
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Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time January 28 Mark 1: 21-28
“There appeared in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit that shrieked: ‘What do you want of us, Jesus of Nazareth?’”
- Relate an experience when God might be working to overcome an evil situation.
- How do your actions affect the behavior of others?
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Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 4 Mark 1: 29-39
“Let us move on to the neighboring villages so that I may proclaim the good news there also. That is what I have come to do.”
- We are called to share our gifts and to proclaim the good news. How have you shared your gifts in the last two weeks?
- We proclaim the good news by the way we live our life. How does your life bring healing, joy, and comfort to others?
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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 11 Mark 1: 40-45
“…Jesus stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said: ‘Be cured.’”
- Describe a time when you recognized and accepted another person’s ability to help you.
- Tell of a time when you were or were not able to keep good news to yourself.
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LENT
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First Sunday of Lent Feb 18 Mark 1:12-15
“This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand! Reform your lives and believe in the good news!”
- Describe a time when you were challenged to confront a weakness in your life.
- Talk about an obstacle in the recent past that could be keeping you from becoming a better person. What might such an obstacle be in the weeks ahead?
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Second Sunday of Lent Feb 25 Mark 9:2-10
“Jesus was transfigured before their eyes and his clothes became dazzlingly white.”
- Relate an experience when a person turned out to be much more than you expected.
- Describe an experience of beauty or love that captured your attention.
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Third Sunday of Lent March 4 John 2: 13-25
“Jesus told those who were selling doves: ‘Get them out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!'”
- When have you felt so strongly about a person or cause that you acted on his/her/its behalf?
- Relate a time when something you valued deeply was not respected, especially by members of your family or church. How did you deal with that?
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Fourth Sunday of Lent March 11 John 3: 14-21
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not die but have eternal life.”
- Relate a recent experience when you felt light and/or love.
- In the next two weeks, what would help you become more alive?
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Fifth Sunday of Lent March 18 John 12: 20-33
“Those who love their life, lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me.”
- Relate a time when you lost out but later were strengthened by this experience.
- Whose life and struggles encourage you?
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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion March 25 Mark 14: 1-15:47
“Clearly this man was the Son of God!”
- Recall a time when life didn’t make sense at all. What, if anything, kept you trusting?
- Peter denied Jesus threefold. Recall a time when you found it hard to take a stand for the values of Christ.
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EASTER
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Easter Sunday April 1 John 20: 1-9
“Mary Magdalene told Simon Peter and the Beloved Disciple, “The Lord has been taken from the tomb!”
- When were your first impressions of a person or a situation proved to be wrong?
- Who are you more like: Mary Magdalene, Peter or the Beloved Disciple? Why?
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Second Sunday of Easter April 8 John 20: 19-31
“My Lord and my God!”
- Relate an experience when you requested proof of something that you should not have doubted.
- Describe an unexpected experience in your life that made you more aware of God’s presence.
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Third Sunday of Easter April 15 Luke 24: 35-48
“Peace to you.”
- Relate an experience that brought peace to your live in the middle of difficulties.
- Who do you know who lives and acts as if Christ is truly alive? How does this person affect you?
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Fourth Sunday of Easter April 22 John 10: 11-18
“I am the good shepherd.”
- Have you allowed the people in your life to come to know you, as Jesus knows his sheep? What gets in the way?
- Reflect on a life situation in which God may have been trying to get a message through to you.
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Fifth Sunday of Easter April 29 John 15: 1-8
“I am the vine, you are the branches.”
- What do you need to prune in your life?
- Reflect on a life situation in which God may have been trying to get a message through to you.
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Sixth Sunday of Easter May 6 John 15: 9-17
“Love on another as I have loved you.”
- When in the last two weeks did you recognize God’s love in your life?
- What does it mean in your life to love yourself? What things in you hinder you from loving yourself?
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Seventh Sunday of Easter May 13 John 17: 11-19
June 4, 2000
“Your word is truth.”
- Reflect on a time when you found it easier to have a faith in God without seeking a commitment to the people of the Church.
- What are some of the values of your faith community that you can show to the world? How can you do it this week?
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Pentecost May 20 John 20: 19-23
“Receive the Holy Spirit.”
The Gifts of The Holy Spirit are: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, right judgement, courage, reverence, and wonder and awe.
- What gifts of the Spirit can you identify in yourself that could help transform the world?
- What gifts of the Spirit can you identify in our community?
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The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity May 27 Matthew 28: 16-20
“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”
- How are you answering Jesus’ call to be a disciple?
- Christ sends us to all peoples. Where do you find yourself too narrow in your approach to people, too limited by your upbringing?
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Corpus Christi The Body and Blood of Christ June 3 Mark 14: 12-16,22-26
“This is my body. This is my blood the blood of the covenant, to be poured out on behalf of many.”
- Speak of an experience from your life when you were willing to sacrifice for others as Jesus did for us.
- Identify something that you are not able to sacrifice willingly.
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ORDINARY TIME
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Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time June 10 Mark 3:20-35
“These are my mother and brothers. Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to me.”
- In what way is your own life divided? How can you make it more whole?
- Do you take responsibility for your own decisions, or are you influenced by someone else?
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Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time June 17 Mark 4:26-34
“The reign of God is like a mustard seed”
- Tell a contemporary parable of the reign of God that speaks to people in today’s world.
- In your personal life or your small church community, what small thing has become a big or important thing?
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The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist June 24 Luke 1:57-66, 80
“For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”
- Like John, we are all called to be prophets. How do you feel about that? When/how have you been a bold and courageous prophet to the people?
- Recall a time when “the hand of the Lord” was with you. Was it the hand you expected?
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Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 1 Mark 5:21-43
“It is your faith that has cured you.”
- Relate an experience when someone approached you in faith and asked for help.
- What are the daily routines that drain you in your faith life?
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Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 8 Mark 6:1-6
“Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.”
- When have you felt hurt when trying to do something good for another?
- What keeps you going when you don’t feel support?
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Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 15 Mark 6:7-13
“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two, giving authority over unclean spirits.”
- How did you feel when called away on an emergency, having to leave without any of the usual necessities?
- Relate a time in your live when your attitude shifted from “No way, I can’t do it.” to “I certainly can.” What caused the shift?
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Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 22 Mark 6:30-34
“Come by yourselves to an out-of-the-way place and rest a little.”
- Where is the “out-of-the-way place” that gives you peace? Why do you feel this way about this place?
- When have you tried to escape the needs of others only to find that their needs for your attention were greater than your need to be away from it all? How did you feel about the demands placed on you?
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Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 29 John 6:1-5
“Jesus took the loaves of bread, gave thanks, and passed them around to those reclining there; he did the same with the dried fish, as much as they wanted.”
- Describe a time when you were surprised that your limited resources were sufficient.
- Relate a time in your life when you were refreshed by someone.
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Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 5 John 6:24-35
“I myself am the bread of life. No one who comes to me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in me shall thirst again.”
- Where have you seen Jesus this past week in your life? What message did he have for you, and how did you respond?
- Most families bring their problems to the dinner table. When have you brought your problems to the Lord’s table?
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Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 12 John 6:41-51
“I myself am the living bread come down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; the bread I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.”
- Where does your life need nourishing?
- Describe a time when someone fulfilled a hunger or a need in your life.
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Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 19 John 6:51-58
“Those who feed on my flesh and drink my blood remain in me and I in them.”
Describe an experience when you have been the “bread of life” for others.
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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time August 26 John 6:60-69
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
- Describe a struggle you had which led to a deeper faith.
- Describe an experience when you have taken a risk without fully understanding the outcome. What effect did it have on your life?
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Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Sept 2 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15,21-23
“There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile. Let anyone with ears to hear listen.”
- Name an experience when “the way we (your church, society, your small church community, your personal life) do things” got in the way of what’s really important.
- Relate a time when you judged a person unacceptable because of externals.
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Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 9 Mark 7:31-37
“Be opened!”
- Describe a situation in your life when a gentle touch brought peace.
- What do you need in order to hear life better?
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Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 16 Mark 8:27-35
“Who do you say that I am?”
Describe an experience when you were willing to pay a price to follow the Lord.
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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 23 Mark 9: 30-37
“Whoever wants to be first, must be last of all and servant of all.”
- Why is it difficult or you to be last of all? Why is it worth it?
- Relate a situation when you were tempted to try to control another’s life or situation.
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Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 30 Mark 9: 38-43,47-48
“Anyone who is not against us is with us.”
- Describe an experience in which a person was misjudged because he or she was not “one of us.”
- Relate an experience when God’s power or love came to you through an unlikely person.
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Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time October 7 Mark 10: 2-16
At the beginning of creation God made them male and female; for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become as one.”
- How has a married couple contributed to your life?
- How have you helped heal the hurt of someone who has divorced?
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Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 14 Mark 10: 17-30
“For mortals it is impossible but not for God. With God all things are possible.”
- When have you abandoned something or someone you valued in order to better follow the gospel?
- What would you let go of right now to increase your trust in God?
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Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 21 Mark 10: 35-45
“The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve–to give his life in ransom for the many.”
- Speak of a time when you took the rap for someone else or when someone took the rap for you.”
- Describe an experience when you were required to do something you didn’t want to do?
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Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 28 Mark 10: 46-52
“Your faith has healed you.”
- What do you need to see in order to follow God better in your life?
- When have you acted on blind faith?
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All Saint’s Day November 1 John 11:32-44
“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
- When have you believed and seen the glory of God?
- Who have been/are the saints in your life?
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Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time November 4 Mark 12:28-34
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Speak of a surprising way someone touched you with concern recently.
- When did you feel God was asking too much of you in loving your neighbor?
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Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time November 11 Mark 12:38-44
“They gave from their surplus wealth, but she gave from her want all that she had to live on.”
- By giving from her ‘want’, the widow shows her trust in God. Can you recall an experience when you let go and put your trust in God?
- From your experience, what are some practical ways you can contribute to the Church besides money?
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Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 18 Mark 13: 24-32
“The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not.”
- In tough times; what keeps you going?
- If the world were ending tomorrow, how would you experience today differently? What would you do differently today?
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Christ The King November 25 John 18:33-37
“The reason I was born, the reason why I came into the world, is to testify to the truth. Anyone committed to the truth hears my voice.”
- How have you recently experienced the conflict between the values of the kingdom and the values that modern society preaches?
- Jesus testified to the truth. When have you been challenged to do the same?
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CYCLE C
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First Sunday of Advent December 2 Luke 21: 25-28,34-36
“…be on the watch.”
- We all have to wait for different things. What has the experience of waiting been like for you during different times of your life?
- Describe an experience when hope has carried you through a trying time.
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Second Sunday of Advent December 9 Luke 3:1-6
“Make ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path.”
- John the Baptist’s message is for all times. In what areas are you challenged to change in the midst of all the worldly attitudes around you?
- John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. How do you announce the coming of the Lord?
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Third Sunday of Advent December 16 Luke 3:10-18
“What ought we to do?”
- If you were to ask John the Baptist this same question today, “What am I to do then?” how would he answer you?
- In our personal lives, how can we imitate John the Baptist as we proclaim the Good News?
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Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23 Luke 1:39-45
“Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
- Share a time in your life when you’ve been asked to believe in God’s promise when all circumstances would have you believe otherwise.
- Relate a incident in your life when you were aware of the Holy Spirit working in someone else.
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Christmas Day December 25 John 1:1-18
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…”
- If you accept the Word as love, how does this influence those you meet in your daily life?
- Mary accepted the Word and gave birth to Jesus, the Word made flesh. How do you give birth to Jesus in the world? Give an example.
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Feast of the Holy Family December 30 Luke 2:41-52
“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
- What do you think were the feelings Jesus’ parents had during the three days they were searching for him? Share a time when you may have had similar feelings about a lost child or a loved one.
- Every family is a “holy family.” In your family situation, what can you do to better recognize the holiness in each member?
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Mary, The Mother of God January 1, 2019 Luke 2:16-21
“Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.”
- What Christmas events do you hold in your heart that you repeatedly reflect on?
- Looking back on the year, what was the most significant event that you or your faith community undertook to give birth to God in the community?
Epiphany January 6 Matthew 2:1-12
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.”
- Who or what event was the star that led you to a better understanding of Jesus?
- What gifts do you bring to the Christ Child?
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Baptism of the Lord January 13 Luke 3:15-16,21-22
“John answered …, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. . .He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
- John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord. How do you “prepare the way for the Lord” in your own life and in the lives of others?
- Describe a time in your life when someone helped you to reach your potential.
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