Sunday Gospel Message - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Jesus offers salvation to all people. It is our belief that
God offers sufficient grace to everyone to be saved. However,
He does not force salvation upon us; we need to respond and to
accept this wondrous gift. The teachings of Jesus are not to be
taken cafeteria-style. We cannot pick and choose what we want
to believe. If Jesus said it, we need to accept it!
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 13:22 Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he
made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be
saved?” He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I
tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the owner of the house
has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the
door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know
where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you,
and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I do not know where you come
from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the
kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. 29 Then people will come from
east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed,
some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Questions for discussion -

1. In response to the question of curiosity about a number to be saved, Jesus
tells us the way to be saved. What does he say we need to do?

2. Jesus says the way to heaven is a “narrow door” and that we’re called to
“strive” or “struggle.” This means that to get into heaven isn’t easy, we have to
conquer ourselves and obey God, not just give into whatever we want. How
hard have you been striving to enter this narrow door? Does everyone get to Heaven or only those who obey God? What about
people who make mistakes but are really sorry later and come to ask God to
forgive them?

3. Jesus says “some who are last [in this world] will be first and some who are
first [in this world] will be last.” This means that there will be surprises at the
gates of Heaven: some people we don’t think will be in heaven will be there;
some who we think will be there, may not be. What can you do to help Jesus
save others?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - September 20th, 2009 - Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
The Book of Wisdom speaks about the wicked
trying to destroy the righteous one. The evil ones even
recognized the fact that God would take care of the good
person. The Church has looked at this as what evil has done
to Jesus and His Church. The Lord tells us that the gates of
hell would not prevail against the Church. Jesus reminds us
today that He will suffer for us and the way to be great in the
Kingdom of God is to be the servant of all.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Sunday Gospel Message - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
To follow Jesus demands a decision in our lives.
Are we with Him or against Him? It is not a matter of our
cafeteria approach to His teachings. If we accept Him, then
we accept all His teachings. Joshua says today: “decide
today whom you will serve. ... As for me and my household,
we will serve the Lord.” Peter responds to the Lord:
“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Sunday, August 23rd, 2009 - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
John 6:60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” 66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the
words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy
One of God.”

Questions for Discussion:
1. Many of the disciples didn’t accept Jesus’ teachings on the Eucharist and went away, but Jesus didn’t change the teaching on the Eucharist to satisfy them. They ended up abandoning God’s own Son. Have you known anyone who has abandoned Jesus
because they don’t want to accept one of his teachings?

2. It probably was not easy for the twelve apostles to believe in Jesus’ teaching on the reality of eating His flesh and blood in the Eucharist, but Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Do you think Peter sets a good example for us to follow whenever we have questions about the faith? To whom can
you go to get answers that come from God?

3. In order to receive the Eucharist worthily, you have to make sure you have not
committed any serious (mortal) sins since your last confession, and if you have, to go to confession BEFORE receiving Holy Communion. You first must go to Jesus in the
sacrament of confession before you go to Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Do
you live by this teaching of the Church?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry