Family Bible Study - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Gospel Passage Mark 9:30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. 33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Questions “They did not understand what Jesus was saying and were afraid to ask Him.” What should you do if you don’t understand what Jesus is asking of you? Who should you go to? To be great in God’s eyes – which we should ALL WANT! – we have to be like Jesus and serve others. What can you do this week to help others and become greater in God’s eyes? Jesus loved children and wanted us to welcome them in His name. Children, especially babies, cannot give us back anything in return, so welcoming them is a pure act of love. Has anyone every welcomed you in this way? Have you ever welcomed anyone in this way? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Gospel Passage Mark 8:27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. Questions 1. A lot of people say that Jesus was just a good or famous man of God, like John the Baptist, Elijah or the other prophets. Who do you say that Jesus is? 2. Peter tried to stop Jesus from suffering, and Jesus said he was behaving like the devil, because at that moment Peter was trying to stop Jesus from fulfilling his mission, as the devil always tries to do. What is Jesus’ mission? How can we help him to accomplish it? 3. Jesus says that to be his good students, his followers, we need to do three things. What are they? (Hint: see verse 34). Do you try to do all three? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B July 8, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 6:1 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. Questions The people of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth did not believe in Him. He was sad and surprised that they did not believe. In your home would Jesus be proud of how much you believe in Him or sad because you don’t believe in Him enough? Jesus was a carpenter and went to work each day like most grownups do. He did His job the best He could. That means that if you do your work the best you can, God is happy. What kind of work do you want to do to please God when you grow up? What work do you do now? Can your work at home, school and CCD please God too? The Gospel story seems to say that Jesus had “brothers”, but the word “brother” here means “relatives” in Hebrew. The same word is used for brothers, cousins, and other relatives. Why do we know the Jesus didn’t have any true brothers or sisters? What do we know about Mary that makes this impossible? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B July 1, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 5:21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” 24 So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Questions: Jesus did two miracles in today’s Gospel. Can He and does He still do miracles today? Do you know about any miracles? The woman with the bleeding problem got a miracle by touching Jesus’ clothes. All of us do more than just touch His clothes when we receive Holy Communion. We get Jesus inside our own body. Is there anything He can’t do for us when we receive Him in Holy Communion? The people laughed at Jesus when He told them that the little girl was just sleeping. Have you ever met someone who tried to make fun of Jesus because they don’t understand Him? Have they ever made fun of you because they don’t understand Jesus like you do? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B June 24, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 4:35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Questions Even the wind and the sea listened and obeyed Jesus as we read in the Gospel today. Do you listen and obey Jesus and do what He asks you to do? How do you know what He is asking you to do? We can sometimes use “symbols” to mean something else. For example, the flag is a symbol for the United States. The church uses a boat as its symbol of the Church, which is like St. Peter’s boat where Jesus was sleeping or from where he sometimes. Taught. Do you think Jesus is always in the “boat” of the Church? Do we ever need to be afraid if Jesus is there? Sometimes when you are praying and worried, do you think that Jesus is asleep and not listening to your prayers? What do you think now after reading this Gospel story? Do you think He could be listening after all? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - June 17th, 2012 - 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B June 17, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 4:26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” 30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything. Questions 1. Jesus says that his kingdom is like a seed that he scatters and grows on its own. Does a seed have the power within to grow on its own or does one need to stay up all night to help it to grow? A seed also needs water and sun to grow. To what can you compare this water and sun in the spiritual life of faith? 2. Jesus says his kingdom, his church, is like a tiny seed that begins very small but then grows huge. Is that what happened in the early Church? Is that what can happen at St. Anthony’s 100 years ago? Is that what can happen again now? 3. What is a parable? Why do you think Jesus teaches in parables? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Corpus Christi, Year B

Corpus Christi, B June 10, 2012 Gospel Passage Mark 14:12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Questions Today’s feast is called “Corpus Christi” which means the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. What then are we celebrating? (Hint: it begins with an “E”) Jesus says that His flesh (body) is true food and His blood is true drink. That means that when we eat Holy Communion we don’t eat bread or wine at all, because both have been totally changed into Jesus’ Body and Blood. So, is it wrong to call the Eucharist just “bread and wine”? Jesus says the same words at Mass that He said at the Last Supper! Do you know that every Mass you are really part of the Last Supper, Jesus’ death, and His return from death (resurrection)? If that’s true (and it is!!), could anything in this whole world be more important than Mass? used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 5th Sunday of Lent - Year B - March 25th, 2012

Fifth Sunday of Lent, B
March 25, 2012
Gospel Passage
John 12:20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some
Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him,
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and
Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son
of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the
earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25
Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep
it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will
my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27 “Now my soul is
troubled. And what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this
reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice
came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd
standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has
spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for
mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be
driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to
myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Questions
The Greeks said, “We wish to see Jesus!” If someone came up to you saying
that they wished to see Jesus, what would you tell them? What would you do?
Where could they find Jesus?
Jesus says that whoever serves Him must follow Him so that where He is, we
will be too. How do we serve Jesus? Where are we following Him?
Sometimes when plants die (like wheat), a seed drops and fruit can grow from
the seed. If you let something you do “die” (like stop fighting with your
family), what good “fruit” would come from that? What else could you let
“die” to make some good “fruit” grow?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

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

Family Bible Study - Third Sunday of Lent

Third Sunday of Lent, B
March 11, 2012
Gospel Passage
John 2:13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In
the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers
seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the
temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money
changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves,
“Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17
His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume
me.” 18 The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20
The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and
will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body.
22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this;
and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. 23 When he
was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because
they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part would not entrust
himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to testify about
anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.
Questions
Jesus was very angry in this reading when He sent the money changers out of
the temple with a whip. Why was He angry? If Jesus, who is God, could be
angry for a good reason, what does that mean about our anger? Can we get
angry at others if we have a good reason?
Jesus called his body a temple. St. Paul tells us that our bodies are “temples of
the Holy Spirit.” If that’s true (and it is!), how clean should we keep our
temple? How do we keep it clean? What can make it dirty?
Jesus had “zeal” for His Father’s house. Zeal means really strong love. Do you
have zeal for the things of God?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Sunday, 11/15/09 - Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
As we come near to the end of the liturgical year and
prepare for Advent, the Church asks us to focus on the end
of our lives and on the end of time. It is a reminder that we
will reign with God so we need now to live our lives aware
that we are destined to live with the Lord Jesus. Time has an
end; eternity does not. Jesus reminds us that we do not
know the day or the hour when times ceases and eternity
begins, so we need to be ready each day.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Sunday, 11/15/09 - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Mark 13:24 “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be
darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be
falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then
they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.
27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 “From the fig tree learn
its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you
know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking
place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this
generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32
“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor
the Son, but only the Father.

Questions for Discussion:
1. 1. Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass
away.” His words are eternal, they last forever. Do you spend time daily listening to the words of Jesus and following Him?

2. Jesus says that only the Father in heaven knows the “day or the hour” of
the end of the world. Jesus said that not even He knew exactly when it would
take place. If even Jesus didn’t know, can any earthly person know? What should your response be to such claims?

3. Since we do not know the day or the hour, it could come anytime.
What should you do to be ready? What can you do each day to prepare yourself for Heaven?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Sunday, November 8th, 2009 - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Mark 12:38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk
around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39
and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!
40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long
prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” 41 He sat down
opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the
treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and
put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called
his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in
more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them
have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put
in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Questions for Discussion:
1. Who gives more: the person who has only one penny and gives it away to
help someone else? – or a person who has a million dollars and gives one
hundred dollars to the poor? Jesus says the person who gave away ALL of his
money to the poor and has none left.

2. How much money — of your allowance, or gifts, or piggy bank money —
do you think you could give as a young person to build up God’s church?
What do you think would be a generous amount to give away and why?

used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

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

Family Bible Study - October 18th, 2009 - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Mark 10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to
him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to
them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to
sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I
drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They replied,
“We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and
with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my
right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you
must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Questions for discussion
1. Jesus wants us to help everyone we can first, then think of ourselves and our
wants last. That can mean we may have to give up some things and let others
have them. Are you willing to do that for God? What are some ways we can put this into action?

2. James and John thought they could ask Jesus for special places in Heaven.
Jesus said that God chooses who will have them. What do you think makes
God happy enough to give us special places in Heaven?

3. Jesus says that if we wish to be the greatest, we must be the servant of all, in
imitation of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve, do you try to serve too?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - October 11, 2009 - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Mark 10:17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him,
and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said
to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the
commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not
steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and
mother.’” 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you
own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then
come, follow me.” 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving,
for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
“How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24
And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again,
“Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to
go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of
God.” 26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be
saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for
God; for God all things are possible.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have
left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one
who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold
now in this age — houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with
persecutions — and in the age to come eternal life.

Questions for discussion:
1. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The man asked Jesus this question, which is the most important question anyone of us can ask. How does Jesus answer that
question? Are you doing those things?

2. Jesus wants us to use everything we have to do good things for God and to bring
other people to know and to love God. How are you doing this?

3. The rich young man went away feeling very “sad” because he did not want to
make Jesus more special than his money. Is there anything in your life that is more
important to you than following Jesus all the way, 100%?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - October 11th, 2009 - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom is a gift that enables us to know what to do in all situations of our lives. We pray for that wisdom that enables us to use riches, property, and all other gifts for the good of others and according to the plan of God.
Perhaps we say that something is impossible and, it probably is, if we do it ourselves. Jesus reminds us that, with Him, all things are possible. By trusting in God, we can expect supernatural power to be with us in our lives. In God we trust! In God we believe! In God we can do it!
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Sunday, October 4th, 2009 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 5 But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10 Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Questions for discussion:
1. Marriage is very special. Jesus said if two people get married they become “one flesh”. Marriage is a sacrament, which means the point of marriage is to help bring us closer to God, closer in God to others, and eventually to heaven. Marriage in God’s eyes is supposed to make people more holy. What types of qualities should one be aware of in a future spouse?

2. How can children follow Jesus?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - October 4th, 2009 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
God created man and woman and made them equal.
God placed man and woman in the Garden of Paradise
because he wanted them to be happy. He gave man and
woman to each other so that they might bring happiness to
each other. He told them that they were to become one in
mind, one in heart, and one in affections. This is the plan of
God for marriage. Husband and wife are to be one in all
ways and to bring happiness to each other. This is what God
created for couple. Adam and Eve walked and talked with
God in the cool of the evening. God wants to be that close
to all married couples.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence