Family Bible Study - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that
they were righteous and despised others: 10 "Two men went up into the
temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee
stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like
other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12
I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector,
standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his
breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went
down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts
himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Questions for discussion -

1. Jesus praises the humble tax collector who begs God for mercy for all his
sins. How often do you ask God to be merciful to you?

2. The Pharisee (a teacher in Judaism) seemed to be a good man, who gave up
food, gave 10% of his money to the Church and prayed a lot. Why do you think
Jesus said he went away without getting his prayer heard?

3. How do you pray? Do you pray more like the humble tax collector or more
like the proud Pharisee? Be honest.
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one
who humbles himself will be exalted.” The parable of the
Pharisee and the tax collector is very familiar to most people.
The Pharisee did not do anything wrong, as he boasted, but he
thought that he was good on his own power. We do not know
whether or not the tax collector did anything wrong, but he
recognized that he needed God in his life. Remember that we
are poor on our own, but rich with God’s goodness and grace.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - October 25th, 2009 - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Mark 10:46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd
were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting
by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began
to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many
sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of
David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.”
And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is
calling you.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.
51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind
man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go;
your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and
followed him on the way.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Bartimaeus cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” How often
do you pray to Jesus to be merciful to you, to forgive you your sins? What
ways can you pray more for Jesus’ mercy?

2. Bartimaeus asked Jesus to allow him to see, to cure his blindness.
Sometimes we need to be cured of spiritual blindness, which prevents our
seeing God and his will in the midst of daily events. Sometimes, like the blind man, we may not see what God wants us to see. In what situations do you
need God’s help to see things more clearly? Are there things you do not understand that you need God’s help to see?

3. After the blind man was healed by Jesus, he began to follow him. Any gift of the Lord should bring us to follow him more. What prayers has Jesus answered for you? Did you respond like Bartimaeus and thank Him by following His ways?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - October 25th, 2009 - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Master, I want to see." There are different kinds of blindness. We can be blind physically, spiritually, or morally. Today we ask the Lord to give us sight and insight that we may see Him, know what He is asking of us, and follow what lies before us. "Lord, I want to see You each day in my life; I want to be able to see how you are leading and guiding me; I want to see that You are at my side and walking with me." Three things I ask: "to see Thee more clearly, to love Thee more dearly, to follow Thee more nearly, day by day." (Godspell).
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence