Sunday Preparation

April 18 2021

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

Girardian Lectionary
'Sunday Connection' Scripture Commentary
RCL/Benziger Gospel Reflections

Question of the Week (Adults): What questions about Jesus still arise in the midst of your faith?

Question of the Week (Children): What question would you like to ask someone about Jesus' appearance to his disciples?

Catechism Connection

112 - The Holy Spirit, the Interpreter of Scripture
601 - Jesus died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures
641 - Mary Magdalene and the women disciples were the first witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus
645 - Jesus' real, bodily Resurrection
652 - Jesus' Resurrection fulfills the Scriptures and his own promises
999 - How do the dead rise?
1122 - Jesus sent his apostles so that repentance and forgiveness of sins be preached to all nations 

Saints This Week

April 21 Saint Anselm
April 23 Saint George patron of England, Germany, Malta, Portugal, Boy Scouts, Soldiers
April 24 Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen

The Gospel for this Sunday continues the resurrection appearances of Jesus, and follows the better-known Road to Emmaus resurrection story. Luke - like John - emphasises the bodily reality of the risen Christ, and that he is not a ghost, and that the disciples should not be afraid of him. Jesus explains how his life, death and resurrection are prophesied in the Scriptures, and how his disciples must now tell other people about him.

The second reading from the First Letter of John explains a little about how it is that Jesus is the sacrifice which takes away the sins of the whole world. Note that John says that Jesus in the “expiation” for our sins, not the “propitiation.” This difference may seem like a small technicality, but it is very important: Jesus’ sacrifice is aimed at wiping away the sins (expiation), not placating an angry God (propitiation). This is a very important distinction in Catholic doctrine, because God is not motivated by anger or a desire for vengeance, only by love and a desire for mercy. 

John also explains very simply that the way to love God is to keep God’s commandments. This joins together in meaning “love” and “law” which people sometimes see as opposed. But love and commandments are both (or should be) about seeking what is good for the other. Parents, for example, have this in mind when they want their children to listen to them and obey them – it is for their own good, because parents know better than children what they need. Also, behaving in this way “brings God’s love to perfection within us.” So keeping the commandments is an act of love.

Lesson Theme Suggestion - Sunday is “the Lord’s Day” because it is the day on which Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus really rose from the dead in the body; he was not just a ghost. We show our love of God, and grow in God’s love, by keeping God’s commandments.

The Bible and Morality – Biblical Roots of Christian Conduct

This is the title of a document was published by the Pontifical Biblical Commission in 2008. It presents a survey of both Old and New Testament, focusing on the moral teaching of divine revelation. The overarching theme is “divine gift and human response”. Read the entire whole document here.

1. Biblical Criteria for Moral Reflection.
   1. Conformity with the Biblical view of Human Nature
   2. Conformity with the Example of Jesus.

The class meets on Wednesdays, 7:15 PM to 8:45PM, via Zoom or phone.
Email Jim Hynes or call 919-928-2157 to participate.

A new weekly Bible Study to help parishioners prepare for a fruitful celebration of the Sunday Eucharist by studying prayerfully the Sunday Scriptures. This program will also draw on documents from Bishops, Popes and the Vatican on interpreting the Scriptures. It will focus upon “The Kerygma”, that is, the proclamation of the story of Jesus which leads people to conversion of heart and Intentional Discipleship.

Each meeting will include a 'Lectio Divina' on one of the readings, letting the Scriptures speak to our hearts,  and direct us in ways both spiritual and pastoral. It will also introduce week by week various different methods of studying the Scriptures, as taught in the following Magisterial documents, and to practice applying them to the Sunday Scriptures: 

• Dei Verbum                                                      Vatican II                                                          1963
• The Historicity of the Gospels                     Pontifical Biblical Commission                    1964
• The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church                                                      PBC         1993
• The Jewish People and their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible          PBC          2002
• The Bible and Morality                                  Pontifical Biblical Commission                     2008
• Verbum Domini                                              Pope Benedict XVI                                           2010
• Preaching the Mystery of Faith                   US Conference of Catholic Bishops             2012
• Homiletic Directory                                       Congregation for Divine Worship                  2015

Participants will use 'At Home With the Word' which contains the Readings for every Sunday of the year. Copies available for $7.00

In-person classes are suspended until further notice. However, people may participate through Zoom on Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Email Jim Hynes if you wish to participate.

Scripture Resources for Catechists

• Opening the Word from FORMED online
• Seasonal Resources from Be My Disciples
• Cycle A, B and C Resources - from Loyola Press (2018-19 is Year C, The Gospel of Luke)
• Advent and Christmas Lectionary Meditations - Fr. James Alison
• Girardian Lectionary - comments and exegesis on the Sunday Scriptures
• Lesson Strategies from Be My Disciples
• Sunday Connection for this week from Loyola Press
• Finding God - the Online Catechists Helper from Loyola Press (log in required)
• Sunday Homilies - from St Andrew's
• Midweek Reflection (signup) - From Liturgical Publications
• The Text This Week - Lectionary, Scripture Study, Worship Links and Resources 
• Audio of Daily Mass Readings - from the USCCB
• Video Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings - from the USCCB