The fourth Sunday of Lent is rather unique; like the 3rd Sunday of Advent ("Gaudete Sunday"), the fourth Sunday of Lent is a break in an otherwise penitential season. The vestments for this day will be rose, and flowers may adorn the altar. This day is called Laetare Sunday (also "Rose Sunday"), and it takes its name from the opening words of the Mass, the Introit's "Laetare, Jerusalem":
"Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her. Rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: we shall go into the house of the Lord. Glory be to the Father."
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Family Bible Study - 4th Sunday of Lent
Gospel Passage
John 9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. 6 Jesus spat on the
ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, 7
saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and
washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before
as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some said, "It is
he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." 3 They brought to
the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a sabbath day
when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 The Pharisees again asked him
how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I
washed, and I see." 16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he
does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such
signs?" There was a division among them. 17 So they again said to the blind man,
"What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a
prophet." 4 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach
us?" And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having
found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" 36 He answered, "And who
is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it
is he who speaks to you." 38 He said, "Lord, I believe"; and he worshiped him.
Questions for discussion -
1. Jesus cured a blind man in today’s Gospel. Do you have any “blindness” in
your life that Jesus needs to cure, anything that makes it hard for you to see
Jesus?
2. Jesus could have cured the blind man without using clay and spit. Why do
you think he used them? Is it anything like the sacraments, where Jesus uses
water, oil and things from this world?
3. Jesus cared for the blind man and wants us to do the same. How do you care
for those who are blind, deaf, or have other problems?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
John 9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. 6 Jesus spat on the
ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, 7
saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and
washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before
as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some said, "It is
he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." 3 They brought to
the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a sabbath day
when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 The Pharisees again asked him
how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I
washed, and I see." 16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he
does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such
signs?" There was a division among them. 17 So they again said to the blind man,
"What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a
prophet." 4 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach
us?" And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having
found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" 36 He answered, "And who
is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it
is he who speaks to you." 38 He said, "Lord, I believe"; and he worshiped him.
Questions for discussion -
1. Jesus cured a blind man in today’s Gospel. Do you have any “blindness” in
your life that Jesus needs to cure, anything that makes it hard for you to see
Jesus?
2. Jesus could have cured the blind man without using clay and spit. Why do
you think he used them? Is it anything like the sacraments, where Jesus uses
water, oil and things from this world?
3. Jesus cared for the blind man and wants us to do the same. How do you care
for those who are blind, deaf, or have other problems?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday Gospel Message - 3rd Sunday of Lent
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
The Israelites grumbles against Moses because they
were thirsty. Jesus gave the Samaritan woman water, and
satisfied the thirst of the people. Jesus, as He hung on the cross,
said: “I thirst.” The Church has looked at these Sacred Scripture
passages as a promise and a fulfillment of the living waters of
Baptism. If we still thirst, then we need to realize what Jesus
has given us at Baptism. He has shared His life with us. Jesus
thirsts for all of us to come and drink of the life that He holds
out to us. He thirsts for each one of us to be one with Him.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence
The Israelites grumbles against Moses because they
were thirsty. Jesus gave the Samaritan woman water, and
satisfied the thirst of the people. Jesus, as He hung on the cross,
said: “I thirst.” The Church has looked at these Sacred Scripture
passages as a promise and a fulfillment of the living waters of
Baptism. If we still thirst, then we need to realize what Jesus
has given us at Baptism. He has shared His life with us. Jesus
thirsts for all of us to come and drink of the life that He holds
out to us. He thirsts for each one of us to be one with Him.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence
Family Bible Study - 3rd Sunday of Lent
Gospel Passage
John 4:5 So he came to a city of Samar'ia, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6
Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was
about the sixth hour. 7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."
8 For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it
that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samar'ia?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, `Give me a drink,' you
would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11 The woman said to him, "Sir, you
have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than
our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" 13 Jesus said
to her, "Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall
give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to
eternal life." 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to
draw." 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this
mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." 21 Jesus said to her,
"Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the
Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth,
for such the Father seeks to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit
and truth." 25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he
comes, he will show us all things." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." 39 Many Samaritans
from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." 40 So when
the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 And many
more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that
we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."
Questions for discussion -
1. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that he can give her “living water” that will
be like a spring inside of her leading her to heaven. What do you think is this
water that Jesus is talking about? Do we ever use water in Church? What for?
2. Jesus says in the Gospel, “I who speak to you am He.” What does He mean?
Who is He? And what does that mean?
3. Jesus went to the well because he was “weary” or very tired from his
journey. What does that tell you about Jesus?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
John 4:5 So he came to a city of Samar'ia, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6
Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was
about the sixth hour. 7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."
8 For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it
that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samar'ia?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, `Give me a drink,' you
would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11 The woman said to him, "Sir, you
have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than
our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" 13 Jesus said
to her, "Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall
give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to
eternal life." 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to
draw." 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this
mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." 21 Jesus said to her,
"Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the
Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth,
for such the Father seeks to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit
and truth." 25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he
comes, he will show us all things." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." 39 Many Samaritans
from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." 40 So when
the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 And many
more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that
we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."
Questions for discussion -
1. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that he can give her “living water” that will
be like a spring inside of her leading her to heaven. What do you think is this
water that Jesus is talking about? Do we ever use water in Church? What for?
2. Jesus says in the Gospel, “I who speak to you am He.” What does He mean?
Who is He? And what does that mean?
3. Jesus went to the well because he was “weary” or very tired from his
journey. What does that tell you about Jesus?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Sunday Gospel Message - 2nd Sunday of Lent
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Christ has asked us to follow him, carrying our daily
cross, and the end of our journey is not Calvary but
resurrection, the entrance to a life of glory with our risen
Savior. The Christian who grasps his cross closely and
willingly, knowing its value for his real life, will find it
becomes lighter and often not a burden. The man who tries to
shuffle off his cross, and who curses and rebels against him
who sent it, will find it doubles its weight and loses all the
value it was intended to have for his true welfare.
Let the thought of the Transfiguration encourage each
one of us today, to do the little God demands of us, so that
when we pass out of this life we may be assured of seeing
Christ in his glory, ready to welcome us into his everlasting,
glorious kingdom.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence
Christ has asked us to follow him, carrying our daily
cross, and the end of our journey is not Calvary but
resurrection, the entrance to a life of glory with our risen
Savior. The Christian who grasps his cross closely and
willingly, knowing its value for his real life, will find it
becomes lighter and often not a burden. The man who tries to
shuffle off his cross, and who curses and rebels against him
who sent it, will find it doubles its weight and loses all the
value it was intended to have for his true welfare.
Let the thought of the Transfiguration encourage each
one of us today, to do the little God demands of us, so that
when we pass out of this life we may be assured of seeing
Christ in his glory, ready to welcome us into his everlasting,
glorious kingdom.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence
Family Bible Study - 2nd Sunday of Lent
Gospel Passage
Matt. 17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John
and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before
them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter
said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three
dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still
speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice
said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6
When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And
when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9 As they were
coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until
after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Questions for discussion -
1. God the Father almost never speaks in the Gospels, but in this story He tells
the three Apostles to “listen to Jesus.” How hard do you try to listen to Jesus
when He speaks each Sunday in the Bible readings at Church?
2. Why do you think Jesus was transfigured (looked different)? Do you think it
has anything to do with His Resurrection (his coming back from the dead)?
3. Who are Moses and Elijah? Why do you think they appeared to speak to
Jesus?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
Matt. 17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John
and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before
them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter
said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three
dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still
speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice
said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6
When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And
when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9 As they were
coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until
after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Questions for discussion -
1. God the Father almost never speaks in the Gospels, but in this story He tells
the three Apostles to “listen to Jesus.” How hard do you try to listen to Jesus
when He speaks each Sunday in the Bible readings at Church?
2. Why do you think Jesus was transfigured (looked different)? Do you think it
has anything to do with His Resurrection (his coming back from the dead)?
3. Who are Moses and Elijah? Why do you think they appeared to speak to
Jesus?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Sunday Gospel Message - 1st Sunday of Lent
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Lent is a time for us to reflect upon what God has done for
us, to pray more often and fervently, and to ask the Lord that
we may have His grace and power to overcome temptation
as He did. Sin always looks inviting or else there would not
be any temptations. The temptations that Jesus faced in the
desert were all enticing, but His response was God’s word.
When we are faced with the allure of sin, we too should
reflect on God’s word for guidance.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence
Lent is a time for us to reflect upon what God has done for
us, to pray more often and fervently, and to ask the Lord that
we may have His grace and power to overcome temptation
as He did. Sin always looks inviting or else there would not
be any temptations. The temptations that Jesus faced in the
desert were all enticing, but His response was God’s word.
When we are faced with the allure of sin, we too should
reflect on God’s word for guidance.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence
Family Bible Study - 1st Sunday of Lent
Gospel Passage
Matt. 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil. 2 And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry.
3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these
stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, `Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 5
Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6
and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, `He
will give his angels charge of you,' and `On their hands they will bear you up, lest
you strike your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, `You
shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high
mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; 9
and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
10 Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, `You shall worship the
Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and
behold, angels came and ministered to him.
Questions for discussion -
1. Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. During Lent, Christians fast on Ash
Wednesday and Good Friday. If Jesus fasted, why do you think Christians
fast?
2. Jesus says that “you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” How does someone
tempt God? Why is tempting God wrong?
3. Today’s Gospel talks about the devil, who is a fallen angel. Jesus defeated the
devil by his faithfulness to God his Father in the desert and through His death
and Resurrection. How does the devil try to tempt you and make you do bad
things? How can you get Jesus’ help to defeat the devil?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
Matt. 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil. 2 And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry.
3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these
stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, `Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 5
Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6
and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, `He
will give his angels charge of you,' and `On their hands they will bear you up, lest
you strike your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, `You
shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high
mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; 9
and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
10 Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, `You shall worship the
Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and
behold, angels came and ministered to him.
Questions for discussion -
1. Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. During Lent, Christians fast on Ash
Wednesday and Good Friday. If Jesus fasted, why do you think Christians
fast?
2. Jesus says that “you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” How does someone
tempt God? Why is tempting God wrong?
3. Today’s Gospel talks about the devil, who is a fallen angel. Jesus defeated the
devil by his faithfulness to God his Father in the desert and through His death
and Resurrection. How does the devil try to tempt you and make you do bad
things? How can you get Jesus’ help to defeat the devil?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Sunday Gospel Message - 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time
This week begins the very special season of Lent. As we come to receive ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday, we are coming to say to the Lord that we are going to do penance this season. We are promising that we will try to turn away from sin and to be faithful to the Gospel and to all that the Gospel entails. Whatever we decide to do for Lent, it should bring us closer to God. Use the next few days to decide what acts of sacrifice or mortification you will choose. Lent is a season of grace.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence
Family Bible Study - 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Passage
Matt. 7:21 “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in
your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works
in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart
from me, you evildoers.’ 7:24 “Every one then who hears these words of
mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the
rock; 25 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat
upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
26 And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will
be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; 27 and the rain fell,
and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it
fell; and great was the fall of it.”
Questions for discussion -
1. Jesus says that it’s not enough to pray — when we say, “Lord, Lord” — but
we have to do the will of God by putting his teaching into practice. How do
you learn God’s will? How do you put it into practice?
2. Jesus says that there are two types of people we can be, those who build
their house on rock (or firm ground) and those who build their house on sand
(or flimsy ground). What does it mean to build on rock? Have you done so?
3. Jesus says that our house (read, our life) will be buffeted by winds, rain,
floods and more. What do you think these “winds” or “floods” or “rain” are in
the example Jesus uses?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
Matt. 7:21 “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in
your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works
in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart
from me, you evildoers.’ 7:24 “Every one then who hears these words of
mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the
rock; 25 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat
upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
26 And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will
be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; 27 and the rain fell,
and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it
fell; and great was the fall of it.”
Questions for discussion -
1. Jesus says that it’s not enough to pray — when we say, “Lord, Lord” — but
we have to do the will of God by putting his teaching into practice. How do
you learn God’s will? How do you put it into practice?
2. Jesus says that there are two types of people we can be, those who build
their house on rock (or firm ground) and those who build their house on sand
(or flimsy ground). What does it mean to build on rock? Have you done so?
3. Jesus says that our house (read, our life) will be buffeted by winds, rain,
floods and more. What do you think these “winds” or “floods” or “rain” are in
the example Jesus uses?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry
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