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 - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Gospel Passage
Luke 1:1 Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events
that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed on to us by those who
from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 I too decided,
after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly
account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the truth
concerning the things about which you have been instructed. Luke 4:14 Then Jesus,
filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought
up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to
read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Questions for Discussion:
1. Why did St. Luke write his Gospel? Why does he say he did it?
2. Jesus said, “This Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” What was He
saying was happening?
3. Jesus came to “bring good news to the poor.” Do you look at Jesus’
teachings as good news? Do you respond with appropriate joy, or
do you look at them as a burden? What can you do to spread the good news?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Ezra read from the book and commented on the
reading from daybreak until midday. Quite a long reading
and homily! Jesus opened up the Hebrew Scriptures from the
book of Isaiah and read a short reading and said succinctly:
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Quite a short homily! Whether the reading and homily are
long or short, the response should be that of the people:
“Amen, Amen.” The sense is that we need to hear the word
and act upon it. Since it is the word of the Lord, it is
imperative that we respond to the word that the Lord gives
us.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence