Theme:

This is the second Sunday of Ordinary Time. The Christmas season ended with the Baptism of Jesus. That event marked the start of the ministry of Jesus. The readings for this Sunday continues from the Baptism of Jesus.

Questions:

Day 1:The first reading was spoken by Isaiah centuries before Jesus was born. God was speaking to the nation of Israel. This can also apply to Jesus specifically. God spoke to Israel and said that he will be glorified in him. At that time, the people of Israel were exiled. Thus, the tone of despair from the author. But God continued to speak to his servant.

• In verse 5, When did God call him to be his servant? What does this mean?

• How did the servant describe his mission in verse 5?What did he mean when he said that he is honored in the sight of the Lord?

• Notice that he said that God has become his strength. He did not say that God will provide him with strength. What did he mean when he said that God will be his strength?

Day 2: Although this passage was for Israel and applies to Jesus, this passage is also applicable to those who believe in Jesus. Since those who believe in Jesus are co-heirs in Christ, what applies to Jesus also applies to those who believe in him.

• As a co-heir in Jesus, you are also called to glorify God. How can you do this in your situation?

• Have you ever experienced a feeling of despair where what you have done is fruitless? Do you believe that you are honoured in the sight of the Lord?

• How can God be your strength? What will you say to Jesus?

Day 3: The psalm is a prayer and it rightly fits into the first reading. The servant despaired for his works and the psalm is a most appropriate prayer when one is distressed. The psalmist was talking of waiting for the Lord. He talked of the sure salvation of God.

• What did God do to the psalmist when he waited for the Lord as mentioned in verse 2?

• Verse 3 says that many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. What did the Lord to the psalmist that will make people do that?

• Verses 4 and 5 are not included in the responsorial psalm. However, they tell us something about trusting in God. The psalmist says that those who trust in the Lord do not turn to the proud and do not go astray after false gods. A false god is anything that we put above God. These are called inordinate attachments. What are your inordinate attachments? How do you set up your priorities so that God is above all other things?

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (continued)

Day 4: The psalm says that God does not desire sacrifices nor offerings. The psalmist said that he delights in doing God's will.

• What does it mean to delight in doing God's will? How will you know what the will of the Lord is?

• God always wants us to grow. This is the reason why if one draws closer to the Lord, more difficulties come. How can you delight in doing God's will when it makes your life more difficult?

• The psalm ends with the psalmist saying, “I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation. I have not restrained my lips”. What did he mean by this? What should you do when you experience God's deliverance?

Day 5: The second reading is the introduction to Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. It was written in the way all letters were written at that time, with the writer introducing himself right at the start.

• St. Paul said that he was called to be an apostle of Jesus by God's will. What did he mean by that?

• St. Paul continues to address his readers as those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus. What doe sit mean to be sanctified in Jesus?

• St. Paul also said that his letter is for all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. How does one call on Jesus? How can you call n Jesus?

Day 6: The gospel reading speaks of the time that John the Baptist introduced Jesus to the people. He introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John's version of the gospel did not record the baptism of Jesus. It immediately had John the Baptist point Jesus out the the people.

• The lamb was an animal that was killed as a sacrifice to God. It was used to atone for the sins of the person offering the animal. When John the Baptist said that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, what did he mean?

• John the Baptist said that Jesus was before him. What did he mean by that?

• John the Baptist also said that he came to reveal Jesus to Israel. Why did Jesus need someone to reveal him to his nation?

Day 7: The second part of the gospel continues with John the Baptist's description of Jesus.

• John said that he saw the Spirit descending from heaven and remained on Jesus. What did he mean by this?

• John also described Jesus as the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit. Baptism is to immerse with an intent of transformation. What did he mean when he said that Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit?

• The gospel is a news of victory of sin. Jesus is the one who can lead us to this victory. Is there anything that you need to overcome at this point in your life? Only Jesus can overcome that with you. What do you want to say to Jesus?