1. Isaiah says, “The Lord God opens my ear that I may hear …
” What kinds of things do you think God wants us to hear? That
“a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for
the day” from the Second Reading? Alright, then what? Do you
act on what you hear?
2. “The Lord God is my help. … The present reading” has
these words twice. How do they relate to Jesus’ utterance in
the Gospel, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny
himself”? Will God be with us, holding our hand, every minute,
no matter what?
Second Reading
James 2:14-18
1. How important is it to express your faith in works? The letter of James tells us to serve our neighbor. Do you ever respond to such a call? If so, how? With a few words? In some of your actions? With your entire life?
2. Does Pope Francis criticize a kind of Catholic faith that is
primarily “a fact on an ID card,” rather than a mission?
How do you transmit your faith with “testimony”?
Faith always leads you out of yourself. Go out. The transmission of faith; faith must be transmitted, it must be offered, especially with testimony: go, let people see how you live.
Faith necessarily takes you out, it leads you to give it, because faith, fundamentally, must be transmitted.
[He explained that we are never alone in sharing the faith, because] it is the Lord with me who transmits the faith, and Jesus promised, “I will be with you every day until the end of the world.”
You must live the faith to share it well.
Pope Francis Angelus, April 25, 2020
Gospel
Mark 8:27-35
1. Do you want people you love to know you well? Do you think Christ wants you to know him well personally? He asks the apostles, “who do you say that I am?” What if he asked you that question? Do you answer it differently at different times in your life?
2. “The Son of Man must suffer greatly. … ” In these words Jesus is telling the apostles what discipleship is all about. How does Peter handle this new message? How do you? Is there a thought that helps? What about “The Lord God is my help.” From the first reading?
