Sunday Gospel Message - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Be persistent in prayer. Pray behind the scenes. Do
not give up. Your prayer is heard. These are encouraging
words given us by our God today. As long as Moses’ arms
were raised in prayer, his people were victorious. Jesus tells
His disciples and us that we should pray always without
growing weary. We can do a lot of good for others and
ourselves when we continue to raise our hearts in prayer.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Sunday Gospel Message - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

God's call to salvation is universal. He has created everyone for Himself and desires that everyone shares eternal happiness with Him. In the history of salvation, some had false notions about who was to be saved. The readings today show that God has called everyone, no matter what nationality. Naaman was not any Israelite, but was still cured by Elisha the prophet. The one who returned to give thanks was a Samaritan. The Lord reminds us that He wants everyone to accept His eternal healing, which is Heaven.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 17:11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Sama'ria
and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who
stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master,
have mercy on us." 14 When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show
yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then
one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God
with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks.
Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed?
Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God
except this foreigner?" 19 And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your
faith has made you well."

Questions for discussion -

1. In this story, Jesus did a miracle! He made ugly terrible skin sores disappear
on ten sick people. Only one came back to say thank you. When God or anyone
does something for you, do you always return
to say thanks?

2. Jesus loved the sick people that other people were mean to. How do you act
toward people with problems that no one else seems to love and care for?

3. Why do you think the other nine sick people never returned to say thanks for
taking the sores away? Why do you think some people never say thank you and are ungrateful when others do good things for them?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 And the
Lord said, "If you had faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, you could say
to this sycamore tree, `Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it would
obey you. 7 "Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping
sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sit
down at table'? 8 Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and
gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat
and drink'? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was
commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that is commanded
you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our
duty.'"

Questions for discussion -

1. The apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith. What ways can you use to
grow in faith?

2. A mustard seed is very small. If you have faith even that small size, Jesus
says, God will allow you to do big things for Him. Do you pray knowing
that God wants to hear your prayers?

3. Jesus says to the apostles that we should not be proud about faith, but
grateful to him, because it is a gift. Prayer is not just a privilege but a duty.
What duties, what responsibilities, do you have toward God? What else
does God expect you to do?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
A question that perhaps at times we ask ourselves is:
“Don’t I have faith?” “I have asked for a particular favor and I
have not received it! God’s word tells me that, if I have faith
the size of a mustard seed, everything would be granted to me.
God doesn’t seem to answer my prayer.” The Lord does indeed
hear our prayer and grants it according to the plan that will
bring eternal happiness. It sometimes takes time and we need
to be patient.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and
who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named
Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from
the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man
died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died
and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw
Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham,
have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my
tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember
that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner
evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this,
between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to
pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He
said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house — 28 for I have five
brothers — that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of
torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should
listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from
the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the
prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Questions for discussion -

1. Why was the Rich Man sent to hell? Was it because he did something evil to
the poor man, or because, seeing him in need, he didn’t do anything?

2. What does this parable tell you about the need to help others?

3. The rich man prayed that someone from the dead go to warn his brothers.
Abraham (who is speaking for God) says that his brothers have Moses and the
prophets. But we have Jesus, who has come back from the dead. What does
that mean in terms of our behavior toward others in need and the eternal
consequences that result from our choices?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Jesus reminds us today about the needs of others and not
being blind to our care for others. There are many ways that we
can be of assistance to others; we just have to look around and see
how we can help. The rich man did not advert to the needs of the
poor man; he overlooked how he could help even in a small way.
We are reminded of Jesus telling us: “Whatever you do to the least
of my brothers and sisters, you do to Me.”
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Sunday Gospel Message - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus praised the ingenuity of the steward for making preparations for the future. The steward was probably giving his commission to the debtors so they would be kind to him later on; he was sacrificing for the future. Jesus is reminding us to make preparations for the future life so that we might have the reward in the next life. Work for what will be our reward after our work here on earth is completed.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 16:1 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and
charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned
him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your
management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to
himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not
strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am
dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So, summoning his
master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He
answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and
make it fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred
containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8 And his master
commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age
are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I
tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they
may welcome you into the eternal homes. 10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also
in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have
not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if
you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own?
13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be
devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Questions for discussion

1. The rich man praises his servant not because of his dishonesty but because of his
resourcefulness, that he knew how to achieve a goal. Jesus wants us to achieve the goal
of holiness in this life, to bring others to him, and to get to heaven. How resourceful are
you toward achieving this goal?
2. Jesus says, “whoever is faithful in little things is faithful in big things.” What are some ways you can be more faithful? to coming to Mass? To praying
on your own each day?
3. Jesus says we cannot serve both God and money. What can you do to make sure you
serve God and not money?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
The Lord told many parables about His readiness to
forgive and how all heaven rejoices when someone comes back
to receive the forgiveness of God. It is like the lost sheep that
was carried back; it is like the woman who found a special lost
coin; it is like a son who returned to his father. The invitation
to come back is always there. God is like the hound of heaven
that goes out in search for all of us.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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: 4 “Which one of
you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is
lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls
together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell
you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance. 8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and
search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with
me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner who repents.” 11 Then Jesus said, “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. Jesus tells us that heaven rejoices more for one repentant sinner than for 99 who did
not need to repent. How do you think you can bring great joy to God and the saints and
angels in heaven?
2. What does the parable of the Prodigal Son (verses 11-32) have to do with the
Sacrament of Penance?
3. Do you rejoice when someone who has lived a bad life and committed a lot of sins
comes back to the Lord, or do you behave like the older son in the parable? How do you
think Jesus wants you to act? Why?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
“What does it cost?” is a question that is oftentimes
asked about a product. Today that question is put to us in
relationship to our following Jesus. The cost is the cross and
putting God first in our lives.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 14:25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to
them, 26 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and
children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27
Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which
of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see
whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation
and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This
fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to wage
war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with
ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If
he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for
the terms of peace. 33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do
not give up all your possessions.

Questions for discussion -

1. Jesus gives us 3 rules for being His followers. He says
we have to (1) love Him more than everyone else; (2) carry the cross and follow him;
(3) and not care too much for “stuff” and “things” that we own. How would you
grade yourself in each of these three areas? What can you do better?

2. Jesus says that before we start something, we need to know we how to finish.
Before we start to follow Jesus, we need to know what it is going to take to finish
that journey. Do you understand what Jesus is asking of you?

3. Why do you think the three rules Jesus gives us are good for us to follow? Could
we really be His followers and love someone more than Him? Could we really be
His follower and not carry our cross and follow Him? Could we really be His
follower and want our “stuff” more that we want to go to Heaven?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry