Sunday Gospel Message - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Blessed are those who do what is right for they will receive special rewards. The Beatitudes promise blessings that are for eternal life. You may have to suffer pain and/or inconveniences, but the Lord will give the great reward in His time. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven."
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Matt. 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat
down his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught
them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those
who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8 "Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are
you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil
against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward
is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Questions
1. Jesus taught the crowds in today’s Gospel story. How does Jesus teach us
today? Does He teach at Mass? Does He teach at home?

2. Jesus says in the Gospel that the people who are really “blessed” or happy
are those who love Him more than money, who are hurt when others are hurt,
who are gentle, who want what is right, who forgive, who are pure of heart,
who try to make peace and who are willing to be treated badly because they
love Jesus. Do you think so? Why do think Jesus says so? (Remember: He’s
God so he knows it’s true.)

3. Jesus says the pure of heart shall see God. What does it mean to be pure of
heart? Will the pure of heart see God only in Heaven or in this life too?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Matt. 4:12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into
Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the
territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah
might be fulfilled: 15 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea,
across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- 16 the people who sat in darkness have
seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has
dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand." 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they
were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of
men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from
there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in
the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22
Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. 23 And he went
about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the
kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
Questions
1. Peter, Andrew, James and John left everything right away to follow Jesus
when He asked them to follow Him. If Jesus were to ask you to follow him as a
priest or as a nun, would you do it?

2. What do you think it means to be a “fisher of men.”

3. Jesus started preaching by saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.” Who else started his preaching with the same words? (Hint: see Matt
3:2). Why do you think Jesus used the same words?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Jesus’ message, as He began His public life, was
simple: “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” That
is always appropriate for all of us. We can look at our
relationship with God and see that He is in our midst. We
can see how we are trying to make Jesus and His way of
life more present in our families and communities.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of
whom I said, `After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before
me.' 31 I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water,
that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 And John bore witness, "I saw the
Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. 33 I myself
did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, `He
on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with
the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the
Son of God."
Questions for discussion -
1. When he saw Jesus coming toward him, John the Baptist said, “Behold, the
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Have you ever heard this
saying before?? Who says it? Who is the Lamb of God and where do we see
Him?

2. What does it mean to say that Jesus “baptizes with the Holy Spirit”? Who is
the Holy Spirit? When are we baptized with the Holy Spirit?

3. John the Baptist says that he has seen and borne witness that Jesus is the
Son of God. When have you seen and given witness that Jesus is God’s son? Have you, like John, told others about Jesus?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him
and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the
sin of the world.” (John 1: 29)
At last the promise, made to Abraham when God
commanded him to leave his home, his country, and his
kin, was fulfilled. The Messiah who would bring blessings
to all mankind had arrived. Eighteen hundred years of
expectation had at last come to an end. During these long
years of waiting, God had, through his prophets and
through his prophetic actions, renewed hope in the hearts
of his Chosen People. These prophecies and prophetic
actions had given indication that the expected one would
be someone very close to God, someone who was more
than a mere man. Yet, who among the Chosen People
could ever have thought that the "Promised One" would
be the very Son of God in human nature?
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Baptism of the LORD

Gospel Passage
Matt. 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be
baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be
baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let
it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came
up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the
Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice
from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well
pleased.”
Questions for discussion -

1. God the Father says from Heaven about Jesus, “This is my Son, my Beloved,
with whom I am well pleased.” Do you think God, our Father, is well pleased
and happy with you?

2. Why do you think that John the Baptist did not want to baptize Jesus?

3. The day of your baptism is the most important day of your life, because it is
on that day you became a child of God. What day is the anniversary of your
baptism (if you don’t know, you must look it up!)? What could you do to make
this day special in your life?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Epiphany of the LORD

Gospel Passage
Matt. 2:1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise
men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been
born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay
him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem
with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he
inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem
of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the
land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall
come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod secretly called for
the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8
Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and
when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him
homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them,
went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the
child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed
with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and
they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they
offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a
dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Questions for discussion -

1. The star helped guide the wise men to the baby Jesus. All of us can be like
that star and help people to find the Lord. How are you doing as a star of God?

2. The wise men traveled very far to be with Jesus. How far would you travel
to see Jesus? How much effort to you and your family make to be with Jesus in
Church through the Holy Eucharist?

3. You receive in Holy Communion the same Jesus whom the wise men adored
in the manger! Do you treat Jesus with the same love and respect they did?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

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 more than New Year’s Day. It is the feast day of Mary as Mother of
God and Queen of Peace. Mary not only was Jesus’ mother but is our mother
too. Are you a good son or daughter to Mary?

2. Do you ever ask your mother for help? Do you ever ask Mary for help? How
do you think Mary would help you?

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