Family Bible Study - Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

Gospel Passage
Luke 2:16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the
child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what
had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at
what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and
pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was
called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the
womb.

Questions for Discussion
1. Today is the feast day of Mary as Mother of God and Queen of Peace. Mary not only was Jesus’ mother, but from the Cross, Jesus gave her to us as our mother too. What type of son or daughter are you to so great a mother?

2. St. Luke says that “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her
heart.” What do we do in prayer?

3. Why do you think Mary is called “Queen of Peace?” If Jesus is the “Prince of
Peace,” what would that make Mary? How can we help God bring peace to the
world?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Feast of The Holy Family

Gospel Passage
Luke 2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to
Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be
designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the
Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was
Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit
rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had
seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents
brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms
and praised God, saying, 29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your
word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 And the child’s father and
mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother
Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be
opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul
too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great
age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eightyfour.
She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that
moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the
redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they
returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with
wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Questions for Discussion:
1. Simeon had waited his whole life to see Jesus and was so happy when he
finally held Him. How hard do you look for Jesus? Do you really want to be
with Him in prayer like Simeon did?

2. Simeon said his eyes had seen God’s salvation. Jesus is Love and came to save us. That’s why He was born as a baby. What did he come to save us from?

3. This weekend is the feast of the Holy Family, of Jesus, Mary and
Joseph. Every family is called to be holy. What could you do
to make your family holier, more like the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and
Joseph?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Christmas Day

Gospel Passage
Luke 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world
should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius
was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also
went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called
Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He
went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a
child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a
manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 In that region there were
shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an
angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I
am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for
you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God
and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among
those whom he favors!”

Questions for Discussion

1. We celebrate on Christmas day the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem a little over
2000 years ago. What gift are you planning to give Jesus for his birthday?

2. When you think about Jesus and the faith, do you REJOICE like the angels
and proclaim the “good news of great joy” to others?

3. We celebrate on Christmas that God the Son became a little baby, taking on
all of our human weaknesses but not sin. Jesus is 100% God and 100% man. Do you
just sing, “O come, let us adore him!” or do you really come to
adore him in the Eucharist and in prayer? What is your favorite Christmas song
about Jesus? Why do you like it so much? Does it make you feel close to Him?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 4th Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Luke 1:39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town
in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted
Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her
womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with
a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord
comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child
in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there
would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Questions for Discussion

1. Both women, Mary and Elizabeth, were going to have babies. When Mary
spoke, Elizabeth’s baby moved inside her. When you receive Jesus in Holy
Communion, you also have Jesus within you. Will you bring Jesus to people
you know and help them to get very excited with love for Jesus too? How can
you do this?

2. St. Elizabeth says to Mary, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is
the fruit of your womb!” When do we say these words? Why is Mary blessed
among women?

3. St. Elizabeth says Mary is blessed because she believed that the words
spoken to her by the Lord would really happen. What words do you think
St. Elizabeth is talking about? (Hint: reread line 43)
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Feast of the Nativity of the LORD

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
No matter how many times that we hear the story of
Christmas, of the birth of Jesus Christ, it is still a wonderful
story and a recounting of God coming among us as man and
being born in a stable. The center of the story is Jesus.
There are, however, others who are part of that story. There
are Mary and Joseph, individuals of faith who trusted in God
and in His word to them. There are the shepherds who first
came to adore the newborn King. There are the angels who
sang the glories of God.
We are invited to be part of that story of Christmas.
We are asked to be people of a practicing faith, of
individuals who come to worship the King and of those who
sing God’s praises each day of our lives.
Isaiah tells us: “a child is born to us; a son is given
to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name Him
Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of
Peace.” What a gift that we have in this Jesus! He is what
we need! Accept this special gift of Jesus not only on this
day, but also each day of the year. Every day is Christmas
when Jesus is Lord!
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Third Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Luke 3:10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he
said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and
whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and
they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no
more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we,
what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats
or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” 15 As the people were filled
with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether
he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you
with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie
the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His
winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat
into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18 So, with
many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Questions for Discussion:

1. John the Baptist says that Jesus will baptize us “with the Holy Spirit and
with fire.” What does this mean? When were/will you be baptized in this way?
What’s the fire? How is the baptism of John different from the baptism you
receive?

2. John’s whole life was to bring others to Jesus, who was the Messiah, the
Anointed One. In the Eucharist, we use his words to point to Jesus, “Behold,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” How do you bring
others to Jesus in your own life?

3. St. John tells the people to share, “Whoever has two coats must share
with anyone who has none; whoever has food must do likewise.” How much
do you share the gifts God has given you with others? (You can also share
your time and any talents you may have with others, not just “things”)
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Third Sunday of Advent

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Different individuals asked the question of John the
Baptist: “What should we do?” Perhaps we ask that same
question. The answer is simple: “Follow the way of the
Lord.” If we have not followed the way of Jesus, what do
we do? Ask and receive the Lord’s forgiveness and begin
anew. There are only twelve more days to prepare for the
celebration of Jesus’ birth.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 2nd Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Luke 3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when
Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and
his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias
ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the
word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went
into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance
for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the
prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the
way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and
every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made
straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the
salvation of God.’”

Questions for Discussion:
1. Advent is a time to get ready for the day Jesus is born. We would get
ready for any baby by cleaning up. Because Jesus is so special, we need to
clean our hearts before he comes. What would make our hearts “dirty”? How
can we clean them? Are there any things you have done that you are sorry
for and wish to “clean” before Jesus comes? The Church always gives us the figure of St. John the Baptist, who preaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Why is repentance necessary to get ready to welcome the coming of the Lord Jesus?

2. St. John the Baptist said, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his
paths.” Is there anything in the way of Jesus in coming to you this Advent?

3. How can you help others this Advent prepare for the coming of Jesus? How
can you make straight the paths of Jesus to them? How can you help them get things out of the way for Jesus to come into their hearts and homes?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry