Family Bible Study - Third Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Luke 3:10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he
said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and
whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and
they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no
more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we,
what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats
or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” 15 As the people were filled
with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether
he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you
with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie
the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His
winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat
into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18 So, with
many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Questions for Discussion:

1. John the Baptist says that Jesus will baptize us “with the Holy Spirit and
with fire.” What does this mean? When were/will you be baptized in this way?
What’s the fire? How is the baptism of John different from the baptism you
receive?

2. John’s whole life was to bring others to Jesus, who was the Messiah, the
Anointed One. In the Eucharist, we use his words to point to Jesus, “Behold,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” How do you bring
others to Jesus in your own life?

3. St. John tells the people to share, “Whoever has two coats must share
with anyone who has none; whoever has food must do likewise.” How much
do you share the gifts God has given you with others? (You can also share
your time and any talents you may have with others, not just “things”)
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Third Sunday of Advent

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Different individuals asked the question of John the
Baptist: “What should we do?” Perhaps we ask that same
question. The answer is simple: “Follow the way of the
Lord.” If we have not followed the way of Jesus, what do
we do? Ask and receive the Lord’s forgiveness and begin
anew. There are only twelve more days to prepare for the
celebration of Jesus’ birth.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 2nd Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Luke 3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when
Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and
his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias
ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the
word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went
into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance
for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the
prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the
way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and
every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made
straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the
salvation of God.’”

Questions for Discussion:
1. Advent is a time to get ready for the day Jesus is born. We would get
ready for any baby by cleaning up. Because Jesus is so special, we need to
clean our hearts before he comes. What would make our hearts “dirty”? How
can we clean them? Are there any things you have done that you are sorry
for and wish to “clean” before Jesus comes? The Church always gives us the figure of St. John the Baptist, who preaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Why is repentance necessary to get ready to welcome the coming of the Lord Jesus?

2. St. John the Baptist said, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his
paths.” Is there anything in the way of Jesus in coming to you this Advent?

3. How can you help others this Advent prepare for the coming of Jesus? How
can you make straight the paths of Jesus to them? How can you help them get things out of the way for Jesus to come into their hearts and homes?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - First Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Luke 21:25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on
the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the
waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming
upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they
will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28
Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near.” 34 “Be on guard so that your
hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the
worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For
it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at
all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things
that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Questions for Discussion:
1. Just like we have the four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall), the
church has “seasons.” We are entering into the church’s season of Advent.
Advent means “coming.” Who is coming that we are getting ready for? When
is that person coming?

2. Jesus talks about his second coming when he says, “they will see the Son of
Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” How are you preparing
yourself for this coming, so that it won’t “catch you unexpectedly”?

3. Jesus tells us to “be ready at all times.” We’re called to be watching for Him, to be alert to Him, to His voice, to His action, especially in the sacraments. How much do you pay attention at Mass? What can you do to become more alert?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry