Family Bible Study - Fourth Sunday of Lent

Fourth Sunday of Lent, B
March 18, 2012
Gospel Passage
John 3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son
of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in
him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son
into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved
through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not
believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the
only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world,
and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all
who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be
exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly
seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
Questions
God the Father loved the world so much that He let His only Son die so that
we could have eternal life. Could anyone else ever love you this much? Is
Jesus loves you this much, how much should you love him?
God sent His Son to save the world. Save the world from what? How do we
get saved?
Jesus said that He had to be lifted up, just like a serpent in the desert. When
the serpent was lifted up on a pole, all those who were dying because of
serpent bites were saved. When will Jesus be lifted up? How will He be lifted
up? Who will be saved by that?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Fourth Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Is it the story of the Prodigal Son or the Prodigal
Father or the Forgiving Father? Actually, it is all three! The
son squandered his inheritance. The father was lavish in
giving his son forgiveness and restoring him to his
inheritance rights. The father forgave everything. The
parable is a beautiful rendition of how the forgiving God
treats us. Even if we go away from Him for awhile, He is
ready to forgive us everything and restore us to the rights of
royalty in His kingdom.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Fourth Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday

Gospel Passage
Luke 15:1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and
the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told
them this parable: 11 “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he
squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place
throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the
citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself
with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he
said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!
18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before
you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off
and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran
and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against
heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves,
‘Quickly, bring out a robe — the best one — and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive
again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and
when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and
asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf,
because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came
out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been
working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a
young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has
devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him,
‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because
this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

Questions for Discussion:

1. What was the younger son’s terrible sin? What made him stop and come home?

2. Why was the Father so happy? Why is God the Father so happy when we, his
prodigal sons and daughters, come back to him in the Sacrament of Confession (forgiveness)?

3. What was the older son’s problem? Why couldn’t he be happy that his brother
came back? Why do you think he allowed jealousy to make him angry?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry