Family Bible Study - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 21:5 And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones
and offerings, he said, 6 "As for these things which you see, the days will come
when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown
down." 7 And they asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign
when this is about to take place?" 8 And he said, "Take heed that you are not led
astray; for many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!' and, `The time is at hand!'
Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified;
for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once." 10 Then he said to
them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will
be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be
terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands
on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you
will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be a
time for you to bear testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate
beforehand how to answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none
of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered
up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will
put to death; 17 you will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of
your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Questions for discussion -

1. Jesus says that his followers will suffer just as he, who was all good, had to
suffer. Have you ever suffered for being faithful to Jesus? How?

2. Jesus mentions a lot of disasters in today’s Gospel. They are all meant to be
signs of what? (Hint: It has something to do with what we say in the Creed
right before we profess our belief in the Holy Spirit)

3. Jesus says that when we’re asked to give witness of our faith in him, he will
fill us with His Wisdom. Have you ever been put on the spot and had to
defend your faith?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry