Sunday Gospel Message - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Blessed are those who do what is right for they will receive special rewards. The Beatitudes promise blessings that are for eternal life. You may have to suffer pain and/or inconveniences, but the Lord will give the great reward in His time. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven."
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Matt. 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat
down his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught
them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those
who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8 "Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are
you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil
against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward
is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Questions
1. Jesus taught the crowds in today’s Gospel story. How does Jesus teach us
today? Does He teach at Mass? Does He teach at home?

2. Jesus says in the Gospel that the people who are really “blessed” or happy
are those who love Him more than money, who are hurt when others are hurt,
who are gentle, who want what is right, who forgive, who are pure of heart,
who try to make peace and who are willing to be treated badly because they
love Jesus. Do you think so? Why do think Jesus says so? (Remember: He’s
God so he knows it’s true.)

3. Jesus says the pure of heart shall see God. What does it mean to be pure of
heart? Will the pure of heart see God only in Heaven or in this life too?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 4:21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in
your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that
came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 He said to them,
“Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will
say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at
Capernaum.’” 24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the
prophet’s hometown. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the
time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there
was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except
to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the
time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the
Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29
They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which
their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed
through the midst of them and went on his way.

Questions for Discussion:
1. The people of Nazareth thought Jesus was Joseph’s son. At the time, they
couldn’t have known any better. But what was the real relationship between
Jesus and St. Joseph?

2. Jesus says “No prophet is accepted in his hometown.” In other words, it’s
hard to tell the Gospel to those you know very well, because they may take
you and the words of God you say for granted. Have you ever had trouble
trying to tell the Gospel to your family or friends?

3. The people of Nazareth tried to KILL Jesus by pushing Him off a cliff, but
Jesus escaped. Why do you think they wanted to kill Jesus? Why would
anyone want to kill Jesus?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Oftentimes a prophet was not accepted because of
the message that he preached. Jesus Himself was not
accepted in His own native town. The prophets still
proclaimed the word of God out of love for their people.
Whether accepted or not, we are called to proclaim the
message of Jesus Christ. Whatever we say or do needs to be
done in a loving way, as St. Paul states today in his word:
“Love is patient, love is kind, … Love never fails.”
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence