Family Bible Study - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 18:1 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always
to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge
who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that
city who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against my
adversary.' 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself,
`Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow
bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual
coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7
And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he
delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily.
Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Questions for discussion -

1. The woman in the story never gave up asking for help. Jesus says to pray and
never give up. Would Jesus think you are doing a good job praying, or do you
give up when you pray?

2. Jesus wonders whether, when he returns, he will find faith on earth. What
does this mean, “when he returns”? When is he coming again? What will he do
then?

3. Jesus wonders whether he will find faith on earth. What do you think you
can do at least to ensure that he will find faith in you?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Be persistent in prayer. Pray behind the scenes. Do
not give up. Your prayer is heard. These are encouraging
words given us by our God today. As long as Moses’ arms
were raised in prayer, his people were victorious. Jesus tells
His disciples and us that we should pray always without
growing weary. We can do a lot of good for others and
ourselves when we continue to raise our hearts in prayer.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - October 18th, 2009 - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Mark 10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to
him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to
them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to
sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I
drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They replied,
“We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and
with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my
right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you
must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Questions for discussion
1. Jesus wants us to help everyone we can first, then think of ourselves and our
wants last. That can mean we may have to give up some things and let others
have them. Are you willing to do that for God? What are some ways we can put this into action?

2. James and John thought they could ask Jesus for special places in Heaven.
Jesus said that God chooses who will have them. What do you think makes
God happy enough to give us special places in Heaven?

3. Jesus says that if we wish to be the greatest, we must be the servant of all, in
imitation of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve, do you try to serve too?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry